FRAM JOINS CMT

Fram has joined CMT as Senior Vice President, Music Strategy, it was announced today by the country network’s President Brian Philips. Fram first worked with Philips in the early ‘90s, transforming Atlanta pop radio station Power 99 into the now legendary 99X, the trendsetting, alternative rock station that quickly became an iconic market leader.

She will lead the music strategy division at the channel, overseeing all music integration within the CMT brand, including original programming, CMT.com, CMT Radio and music video airplay across all platforms. Fram will report to Philips, effective Sept. 1.

Current SVP Music Strategy Jay Frank will remain through October in the transition, before launching his own digital music endeavor.

Said Philips: “Leslie Fram is beloved throughout the entire industry. Everyone knows of her hard-driving passion for music, her unyielding integrity and her relentless work ethic. I have always believed that Leslie, in her soul, ‘belonged’ at MTV Networks, and she’s finally here! She will lead the team, embrace the CMT culture, discover new stars, provide all of our artists with imaginative opportunities and learn how to chew tobacco.”

Added Fram: “This move just feels right for me on so many levels. CMT is on a creative hot streak, and I’m honored to join Brian Philips and his all-star team at the network. CMT is a big stage—93 million homes! I am excited about the creative freedom I've been given to invent and innovate with music across all CMT’s platforms. I’m anxious to get to Nashville, reconnect with old friends, make new ones. blaze a new trail with CMT and try out my golden spittoon.”

Fram’s career includes stints in Top 40 radio in Mobile, AL, alternative rock at WNNX (99X) Atlanta, and most recently, at N.Y. rocker 101.9 WRXP as PD and Morning Show co-host (with Matt Pinfield). While at WRXP, she was responsible for booking all talent for shows and major events, and conducting exclusive interviews with the world’s biggest bands and emerging artists. Previously, Fram spent a decade at 99X both on-air and as APD and PD, racking up numerous awards and honors, and building her massive interpersonal network.

She is the first woman to receive the TJ Martell Award in recognition of outstanding performance in the music industry in 2000, and was presented with the NARAS-Atlanta Chapter Heroes Award for her outstanding contributions to music and the music community. In 2009, she was honored as a Lifetime Achievement Inductee in the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame. She has also served as Associate Member of NARAS, and on its Board of Governors in both Atlanta and New York. She is an avid philanthropist and spokesperson, using her voice to support numerous non-profits and causes.