New York, NY – August 8, 2017 – iHeartMedia, the leading media company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any other radio or television outlet, announced today a four-year contract extension with radio and media veteran Darren Davis. Davis will continue in his critical role as President of iHeartMedia Networks Group reporting to Bob Pittman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iHeartMedia, Inc.
Under the new agreement, Davis will continue to oversee the success and close integration of the company's extensive multiplatform assets, including the iHeartRadio Network, Premiere Networks, Total Traffic + Weather Network, and the NBC News Radio Network, as well as iHeartMedia’s in-house audio and visual creative agency. Davis will also continue as President of iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio platform - the fastest growing digital audio service in the U.S. that offers users thousands of live radio stations, personalized custom artist stations created by just one song or seed artist and the top podcasts and personalities. With over a billion downloads, iHeartRadio reached 100 million registered users this year, and continues to reach user milestones at a rate faster than any other radio or digital music service.
Davis oversaw the launch of ‘iHeartRadio Plus’ and ‘iHeartRadio All Access’ on demand services powered by Napster in January 2017, which revolutionized the live radio experience. While 73 percent of consumers, which include users of on demand music services, continually cite radio as their primary source of music discovery, iHeartRadio’s on demand services allow listeners to bridge the divide between music discovery and music collecting by seamlessly incorporating true interactivity into the radio listening experience through a variety of features.
“We’re pleased that Darren will continue to lead the integration of our Networks group that enables iHeartMedia to harness the unparalleled power, reach and scale of our digital and broadcast platforms,” said Pittman. “His twenty-five-years of experience working in every facet of iHeartMedia means he has a unique understanding of every aspect of our company -- from our broadcast radio stations and iHeartRadio to our sales teams and partnerships, and how they can all work together to best serve our consumers, partners, affiliates and advertisers.”
“Since I was a kid, I knew I’d spend my life in radio,” said Davis. “I’ve seen a lot in the last twenty-five years as iHeartMedia has expanded into multiple platforms like the industry-leading iHeartRadio. There isn’t a day that goes by where I’m not amazed by iHeartMedia’s evolution, which is built on broadcast radio — my first love — and now provides one-of-a-kind programming, entertainment and opportunities to connect our advertising partners across our unparalleled range of multiple platforms in ways that no other company can. I’m thrilled to be continuing this journey.”
Davis began his career in 1992 as an intern at iHeartMedia’s Adult Contemporary WASH-FM in Washington, DC, and celebrates his 25th anniversary with the company next month. He was named to the Program Director role at WASH-FM when he was just 23 years old and has since worked as Regional Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Detroit and Chicago, Senior Vice President of Programming and Executive Vice President and General Manager of National Programming before being named to his current position in 2014. Davis also built and managed the Premium Choice national network and worked to develop iHeartMedia's strategic national programming capabilities.
Davis currently serves on the boards of the Radio Advertising Bureau and the New Jersey Broadcasters Association; is a member of the National Association of Broadcasters’ Digital Officer Committee; and is a perennial presence on Billboard’s Digital Power Players list and Radio Ink’s 40 Most Powerful People in Radio list. He is a graduate of The George Washington University.
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