IVEY GROWS AT KIIS-FM

He's going from beans to guacamole, Fenway Park to Chavez Ravine and from KISS to KIIS.

As you may have read in HITS' "Wavelength" column or on hitsdailydouble.com, where we indicated he was the top candidate, Clear Channel has tapped WXKS-FM Boston's John Ivey as the new PD at KIIS-FM L.A., replacing Dan Kieley, who ankles to start an entertainment company, with the L.A. station as his first client.

In addition, MD Michael Steele will reportedly re-up with the influential outlet, which has scored six consecutive #1 English-language books in a row.

Clear Channel L.A. Market President Roy Laughlin said Ivey was the natural choice for the job, which he starts today. "We did not need to look far to reload for the top programming position in the U.S. Ivey is a gifted Program Director."

Steve Smith, Clear Channel VP Programming, added: "KIIS-FM has a great heritage and part of that heritage is the infusion of new ideas with the respect for the success of the old ideas. We're confident that Ivey will take the KIIS team to the next level."

Said Ivey: "To be selected for the top radio programming job in the U.S. is a professional pinnacle. I look forward to building on the incredible assets already in place at KIIS-FM. By the way, how did you get this number?"