Full Breakdown
Cox Media Group Appoints Phil Becker as Vice President of Audience & Content Growth
7/15/2026, 12:34:56 PM
Core Appointment
Effective July 20, Phil Becker will assume the newly created role of Vice President, Audience & Content Growth for Cox Media Group (CMG) Radio. The position places Becker in charge of the division’s audience-growth strategy across broadcast, streaming, podcasting, social media, and emerging platforms.
Career Background
Becker’s broadcasting career began in 1994 as Production Director at Mid-West Family Broadcasting’s WSJM-FM in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He later served as Program Director and on-air personality at CMG from 2003 to 2006, co-founded Oasis Radio Group with Russ Oasis, and joined Alpha Media (later acquired by Connoisseur Media) as Executive Vice President of Content in 2014. Over more than 25 years, he has overseen content, programming, and digital strategy for 42 markets and more than 200 brands, and has been credited with launching radio’s first streaming apps and producing podcasts that amassed millions of downloads.
Role and Strategic Focus
In his CMG role, Becker will work closely with programming leaders and market managers to expand audience reach, strengthen content performance, elevate on-air talent, and accelerate multi-platform growth. His recent work includes pioneering the use of artificial-intelligence-generated on-air personalities, such as “AI Ashley” on KRFF “Live 95.5” in Portland, Oregon, using Futuri Media’s Radio GPT software.
Official Statements & Responses
Rob Babin, President of CMG Radio, said Becker’s blend of audience expertise, content leadership, and talent development will help strengthen the company’s brands and position the division for continued growth. Becker expressed enthusiasm for joining the team, emphasizing a commitment to deepen audience connections across platforms and create “remarkable content that matters to listeners, viewers, followers and fans.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Phil brings a strong and unique combination of audience expertise, content leadership, and a passion for developing talent,” — Rob Babin, President, CMG Radio
- “His experience and audience-first approach will help strengthen our brands and position CMG Radio for continued growth.” — Rob Babin
- “CMG Radio has outstanding brands in tremendous markets,” — Phil Becker
- “I’m excited to join Rob and the team to build on that success; deepen audience connections across platforms; and create remarkable content that matters to listeners, viewers, followers and fans.” — Phil Becker
