iHeartMedia

NEW YORK -July 24, 2012-Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, the leading media company in America, and Salem Communications, a leading U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, magazine and book publisher targeting audiences interested in Christian and conservative opinion content, announced today that Salem Communications’ 97 radio stations will be available on the iHeartRadio digital radio platform, offering more choices and greater programming options for iHeartRadio users and a comprehensive, fully integrated digital listening service for Salem listeners.

Under the agreement, Salem’s 97 AM and FM radio stations from 37 markets will be available on the iHeartRadio platform beginning September 2012. iHeartRadio is Clear Channel’s free, industry-leading digital radio service that offers more than 1,000 broadcast and digital-only radio stations from 150 cities plus user-created Custom Stations inspired by favorite artists and songs, delivering listeners everything they want all in one fully integrated service. The newly added stations will promote iHeartRadio on-air, and Salem Communications will continue to stream their stations on the respective station websites.

“We are excited to be able to provide a broadcast-friendly platform for Salem radio stations and a fully integrated digital listening experience for their listeners,” said Brian Lakamp, President of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Digital. “Adding Salem radio stations to iHeartRadio offers our listeners an even more diverse listening experience.”

“It’s important that our content be available to our listeners no matter where or how they want to receive it,” said David Santrella, President Radio Division, Salem Communications. “Clearly iHeartRadio is a dominant player in the space and we are excited to be able to offer our content on the platform.”

Director of Digital Media of Salem Communications, Rodney Whitaker added, “We are looking forward to the launch of our partnership with iHeartRadio and the increased audience it will bring us, both online and through the mobile app. It’s clear they are dedicated to innovation and providing listeners with an ever-improving experience.”

iHeartRadio reached 10 million registered users this past May, a milestone achieved in only eight months — faster than all other popular entertainment and communication platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, Spotify and Instagram. Registered users are only a percentage of iHeartRadio’s overall listeners, since registration is only required for the Custom Station feature. The digital platform continues to bring incremental listening to Clear Channel’s 237 million monthly listeners, the largest audience of any media outlet in the U.S. Today, iHeartRadio is available as a free application across multiple platforms including web, mobile, tablets, automotive, television and gaming devices.

Clear Channel also continues to be one of the most popular digital music destinations, with the 100 million listening hours a month, more than 45 million monthly digital uniques, more than 95 million downloads of iHeartRadio mobile apps, and more than a 15 million fan reach through its station and radio personality Facebook pages.

Salem Communications (NASDAQ: SALM) is a leading U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher targeting audiences interested in Christian and family-themed content and conservative values. In addition to its radio properties, Salem owns Salem Radio Network®, which syndicates talk, news and music programming to approximately 2,000 affiliates; Salem Radio Representatives™, a national radio advertising sales force; Salem Web Network™, an Internet provider of Christian content and online streaming; and Salem Publishing™, a publisher of Christian-themed magazines. Upon the close of all announced transactions, the company will own 97 radio stations, including 61 stations in 22 of the top 25 markets. Additional information about Salem may be accessed at the company's website, www.salem.cc.

Salem Communications

Evan Masyr, 805-384-4512

NEW YORK - Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, the leading media company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any other radio or television outlet, today announced that veteran venture investor Joseph Robinson will join the company as Executive Vice President of Strategic Development effective immediately. Robinson will report to John Hogan, Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and work closely with Brian Lakamp, President of Digital, and Tim Castelli, President of National Sales, Marketing & Partnerships.

Robinson brings more than 15 years of investing experience to Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. In this new role, he will evaluate acquisition, equity and partnership opportunities in emerging, high-growth companies. As the EVP of Strategic Development, Joseph will place emphasis on finding companies with interesting and innovative new technologies that will help enhance Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s current distribution, digital and content offerings. Additionally, Robinson will explore opportunities for Clear Channel within other categories such as entertainment and consumer products.

“Joe has achieved many successes throughout his career in venture investing and his expertise will be a great asset to Clear Channel Media and Entertainment,” said Hogan. “There is untapped opportunity in the world of emerging companies and Joe is the perfect representative to help identify organizations with high-potential that will enable Clear Channel to continue to flourish as the leading media and entertainment company in America. We are excited Joe will be connecting us with innovative companies that can benefit from the power of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s multimedia assets and reach.”

“I am delighted to join Clear Channel Media and Entertainment at such an exciting time,” said Robinson. “The company’s unparalleled local and national platforms serve as powerful resources and will enable me to develop dynamic partnerships with a variety of fast-growing, high-potential companies. Clear Channel is assembling a great team of smart, creative people and I am excited to have been invited to join the group.”

Prior to joining Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, Robinson founded Halo Venture Partners, a private venture capital company investing in digital media, advertising and media-related technology companies, where he continues to serve as a Managing Partner. Through Halo, Robinson has made a number of successful investments including Spongecell.com, iWin.com and Heartbeat.com. In 2011, Spongecell.com was ranked as the 76th fastest growing company in the United States by Inc.com and one of the top private companies in digital media by AlwaysOn Global 250.

Robinson’s other founding investment successes include Scout Media, a sports social network sold to Fox in 2005 for $56 million; UGO Networks, a male-targeted advertising network, which was sold to Hearst in 2007 for $80 million; and Signalray Media Consulting Group. In 1994, he co-founded InterWorld Corporation, an e-commerce application developer and solutions provider, which went public in 1998 and reached a market cap of $2 billion.

Robinson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Skidmore College.

 

New York, NY — July 9, 2012 — Clear Channel today announced the artist line-up for the return of the biggest live concert festival in radio history, the iHeartRadio Music Festival 2012 set for September 21 and 22. This year’s extraordinary line-up includes Taylor Swift, Aerosmith, Rihanna, Usher, Bon Jovi, Lil Wayne, Green Day, Swedish House Mafia, No Doubt, Brad Paisley, Pitbull, deadmau5, Miranda Lambert, Enrique Iglesias, Linkin Park, Jason Aldean, P!nk, Mary J. Blige, Calvin Harris and Shakira with more to be announced in the weeks prior to the event.

For the second year, a diverse array of some of the greatest names in music will appear on one stage over two nights at MGM Grand in Las Vegas; Ryan Seacrest will kick off the two-day iHeartRadio Music Festival on the evening of Friday, September 21.

The inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival in September 2011 marked the official launch of the New iHeartRadio, Clear Channel’s free, industry-leading digital music service, and in 2012, the festival will celebrate its success. iHeartRadio delivers everything listeners want in one free, fully-integrated service: instant access to more than 1,000 of the nation’s most popular live broadcast and digital-only radio stations from 150 cities, plus user-created Custom Stations inspired by favorite artists and songs.

“Music is the lifeblood of so much of what we do at Clear Channel, and our listeners are the reason for everything we do. We’re focused on making the iHeartRadio Music Festival an experience that excites and electrifies music fans nationwide — and with a line-up like this, we believe we’ll exceed all of their expectations," said Bob Pittman, CEO of Clear Channel. "The iHeartRadio Music Festival is an indication of Clear Channel’s ongoing commitment to music and artist development — maximizing artists’ exposure to fans and audiences nationwide. With our broadcast brands, live events and the iHeartRadio digital platform, in combination with our relationships with artists, labels and most importantly our listeners, we continue to reinvent the music experience in a way that no other company can.”

“The iHeartRadio Music Festival 2011 was such an amazing experience for our listeners, and just like the iHeartRadio digital radio service, really showcased top artists across all genres of music,” said John Hogan, Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. “The bar was set high this year given the overwhelming success of last year’s inaugural event and we are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to again deliver a diverse, extraordinary line-up of incredible talent to our listeners for year two of the iHeartRadio Music Festival.”

Promotion of iHeartRadio Music Festival 2012 kicked off this morning with a simultaneous roadblock announcement by all 850 Clear Channel radio stations nationwide, their websites and iHeartRadio. In addition, throughout a summer-long on-air and online “Road To Vegas” promotion, hundreds of Clear Channel station listeners across the country will win dream trips to Las Vegas where they will converge with thousands of other music fans to experience iHeartRadio Music Festival 2012 at the legendary MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"The iHeartRadio Music Festival is the ultimate celebration of what’s hot in all genres of music, from rock, pop and country to electronic dance music, R&B and hip hop," said Tom Poleman, President of Clear Channel National Programming and Executive Producer of the Festival. "For the first time, fans from across the country will get to see today’s megastars like Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Usher on the same stage as legends like Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige and Bon Jovi. I’m sure we’ll have hundreds of memorable moments throughout the festival. It’s the concert line-up of the year for both fans and artists."

“The iHeartRadio Music Festival is a unique celebration of music — it’s the biggest names in the industry coming together for an impressive weekend of live entertainment,” said Ryan Seacrest. “The momentum, energy and music experience around the inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival was incredible, and I’m excited to be a part of this must-see event.”

iHeartRadio reached 10 million registered users this past May, a milestone reached in only eight months — faster than all other popular entertainment and communication platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, Spotify and Instagram. Registered users are only a percentage of iHeartRadio’s overall listeners, since registration is only required for the Custom Station feature. The digital platform continues to bring incremental listening to Clear Channel’s 237 million monthly listeners, the largest audience of any media outlet in the U.S. Today, iHeartRadio is available as a free application across multiple platforms including web, mobile, tablets, automotive, television and gaming devices. iHeartRadio’s Facebook page has grown more than 4 million fans in less than a year with the announcement of the inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival.

Clear Channel also continues to be one of the most popular digital music destinations, with the 100 million listening hours a month, more than 45 million monthly digital uniques, more than 85 million downloads of iHeartRadio mobile apps, and more than a 15 million fan reach through its station and radio personality Facebook pages.

For more details about the iHeartRadio Music Festival 2012 visit iHeartRadio.com/vegas. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster beginning July 14 at 1 p.m. ET. Sponsors of this year’s festival include Amazon Kindle Fire, DISH, Macy’s, MGM Resorts International, NBC’s “The Voice” and State Farm®. The iHeartRadio Music Festival is a Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Production.

NEW YORK-  Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, the leading media company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any other radio or television outlet, today announced that Rick Song will join the company as its Executive Vice President of Digital Sales for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. Song, a 20-year media sales and management veteran, joins Clear Channel from Microsoft and will report to Tim Castelli, President of National Sales, Marketing and Partnerships.

This appointment follows on the heels of Clear Channel’s recent unified national marketing, partnership and sales force alignment that will allow the media and entertainment company to pursue national multi-platform marketing initiatives that meet advertisers’ need to reach – and engage – consumers in powerful new ways. This new sales force alignment, led by Castelli, ensures the close integration of the national sales, marketing and partnership operations for the key Clear Channel National Platform divisions, including Digital, Strategic Partnerships, Clear Channel Connections, Clear Channel Radio sales and Premiere Radio Networks sales.

Song will oversee Clear Channel’s digital sales initiatives working closely with the company’s national divisions including Strategic Partnerships, National Programming Platforms and National Advertising Platforms and iHeartRadio, Clear Channel’s industry-leading digital radio service as well as with local markets to ensure that they continue to utilize the company’s centralized resources and opportunities. He will leverage Clear Channel’s unique digital assets and massive reach to create innovative national and local advertising campaigns and programs with key advertising and marketing partners.

“Rick is an innovator and he will be an integral part of our team as we continue to further capitalize on our company’s digital assets,” said Castelli. “His tenure and contributions in the digital sales industry will be instrumental in helping to establish cutting-edge ways for advertisers to reach their audience.”

“Over the past year, I’ve watched Clear Channel undertake some really exciting initiatives and I’m impressed with how quickly they evolved into a fully realized media and entertainment company,” said Song. “This is a unique opportunity to leverage my experience in digital advertising with a company that has such an unprecedented reach, scale and promotional power. We have the ability to offer a platform to marketing and advertising partners like no other company.”

Song has spent the last 15 years focused on digital media sales and management. In 2006 he joined Microsoft where he led sales efforts for Microsoft Advertising, working with Fortune 500 marketers and leading advertising agencies to drive profitable engagement with audiences across Microsoft’s digital portfolio. Song also led sales initiatives with Microsoft’s network of partner sites including MSN, Xbox, Skype, FoxSports and MSNBC, as well as the company’s digital platforms including Display, Video, Branded Content, Gaming and Mobile. He founded Microsoft Digital Showcase, the company’s first video Upfront, and led Microsoft’s advancement in multi-screen marketing solutions, launching the first 3-screen advertising campaign for the Discovery Channel. Song previously held various sales leadership roles at Yahoo! and Forbes.com and began his media career in print at Ziff-Davis Publishing. Song is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.

 

SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Yahoo!, the premier digital media company, and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, the leading media company in America with greater reach than any other radio or television outlet, today announced an agreement that will enhance the way music, as well as entertainment news and information, is delivered across digital platforms in the U.S. The multi-faceted relationship involves the distribution and cross-promotion of premium content in addition to a live concert series to the unparalleled combined audience of the Yahoo! Media Network, which reaches more than 167 million monthly online users in the U.S. (comScore, May 2012) and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s 237 million monthly U.S. listeners across 150 markets, plus their websites and the audience of iHeartRadio, Clear Channel’s industry-leading digital radio service.

Leveraging the best of both brands, Yahoo! and Clear Channel will be able to deliver their premium, high-quality content to even more consumers across multiple platforms. Through this multi-year deal, iHeartRadio, which delivers instant access to more than 1,000 of the nation’s most popular live broadcast and digital-only radio stations plus commercial-free Custom Stations inspired by favorite artists and songs, will become Yahoo!'s premier digital radio service. Yahoo! and Clear Channel content will be cross-promoted on iHeartRadio.com, local radio station websites, and the entire Yahoo! Media Network, including Yahoo!’s leading entertainment sites Music, Movies and omg!. Yahoo! will also become the exclusive web and mobile destination for music lovers to experience the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival and a concert series of other Clear Channel high-profile music events via a live webcast from cities across the U.S.

"We were thrilled when Ross approached us about this partnership. We like the direction Yahoo! is going and by working together we can accelerate growth for the both of us,” said Bob Pittman, Clear Channel CEO.

“Clear Channel has accelerated their digital strategy overnight under Bob's leadership,” said Ross Levinsohn, Interim CEO of Yahoo!. “Yahoo! is excited to be the exclusive digital streaming partner for the biggest music events of the year including the iHeartRadio Music Festival and additional concerts. This partnership will expand our ability to provide consumers and advertisers with the best premium content available and provide Clear Channel with unmatched digital reach.”

 

Content Distribution: Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio will become Yahoo!'s premier digital radio service. Clear Channel continues to be one of the most popular digital music, news and information destinations, with more than 100 million digital listening hours a month from its 45 million monthly unique web visitors; more than 80 million downloads of iHeartRadio mobile apps; and a reach of more than 15 million fans through its station and radio personality Facebook pages.

Content Cross-Promotion: Yahoo! and Clear Channel content will be cross-promoted on iHeartRadio.com, local radio station websites, and the entire Yahoo! Media Network, including Yahoo!’s leading entertainment sites Music, Movies and omg!. Yahoo!’s leading original video programs will be available in audio versions through Clear Channel as part of the content promotion.

Live Concert Series: Yahoo! will become Clear Channel’s exclusive web and mobile partner for a live concert series, including this year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival, which takes place September 21 and 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The two-day festival will feature Yahoo! as the official exclusive web and mobile live webcast partner. Yahoo! and Clear Channel will also collaborate on nearly a dozen additional events annually where Yahoo! will be the exclusive live broadcast partner of the event. Clear Channel will lead all selling of sponsorships around the iHeartRadio Music Festival and live streaming opportunities.

 

 

Yahoo! (NASDAQ:YHOO) is the premier digital media company, creating deeply personal digital experiences that keep more than half a billion people connected to what matters most to them, across devices and around the globe. And Yahoo!'s unique combination of Science + Art + Scale connects advertisers to the consumers who build their businesses. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. For more information, visit the pressroom (pressroom.yahoo.com).

Yahoo! is home to the No. 1 sites for finance, sports, news, entertainment news, and more. Yahoo! and Yahoo! Finance are the trademarks and/or registered trademark of Yahoo! Inc. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owner.

 

Yahoo! Communications

Lisa Goodwin, 408-349-1075

New York, NY – June 26, 2012 – Clear Channel Media and Entertainment today announced an agreement to add 106 Cox Media Group and Emmis Communications radio stations to its iHeartRadio digital platform. The collaboration will result in more choices and greater programming options for iHeartRadio users and a comprehensive, fully integrated digital listening service for Cox and Emmis listeners. 

 

Under the agreement, 86 Cox Media Group radio stations from 19 markets and 20 Emmis Communications radio stations from six markets will be available on the iHeartRadio platform wherever it is offered including the web, mobile devices and in automobiles.  The new stations will promote iHeartRadio on-air. Cox Media Group and Emmis will continue to stream their stations on the respective station websites and mobile apps.

 

“Our goal is to make sure that iHeartRadio continues to provide the best and most complete online radio experience for listeners,” said John Hogan, Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment.  “Adding 106 great station brands from Cox and Emmis is a win for iHeartRadio users and we are really excited to provide major broadcast companies, such as Cox Media Group and Emmis Communications, a broadcast-friendly platform that has the ability to offer their listeners a fully integrated digital experience.  Our listeners are embracing iHeartRadio in ever-greater numbers as their digital entertainment destination and that is good for all of our iHeartRadio partners.”

 

“Cox Media Group is impressed with the progress that iHeartRadio has made over the last year,” said Doug Franklin, Cox Media Group’s President.  “Our strategy is to serve our listeners on as many digital platforms as possible.  We look forward to extending our reach in partnership with iHeartRadio.”

 

“Our team is excited to participate in iHeartRadio's explosive growth,” said Jeff Smulyan, Emmis Communications Corporation’s Chairman and CEO.   “By joining iHeartRadio, we offer our listeners - including listeners of our premiere hip-hop brands Hot 97 in New York and Power 106 in Los Angeles - a great way to continue to enjoy our stations’ content.”

iHeartRadio is Clear Channel’s free, industry-leading digital radio service that offers more than 1,000 broadcast and digital-only radio stations from 150 cities, plus user-created Custom Stations inspired by favorite artists and songs. iHeartRadio reached 10 million registered users this past May, a milestone reached in only eight months – faster than all other popular entertainment and communication platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, Spotify and Instagram. Registered users are only a percentage of iHeartRadio’s overall listeners, since registration is only required for the Custom Station feature. iHeartRadio is available as a free application across multiple platforms including web, mobile, tablets, automotive, television and gaming devices.

Clear Channel also continues to be one of the most popular digital music destinations, given the 100 million listening hours a month, more than 45 million monthly digital uniques, more than 80 million downloads of iHeartRadio mobile apps, and more than a 15 million fan reach through its station and radio personality Facebook pages.

Cox Media Group is an integrated broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of CoxReps. Additionally, CMG owns and operates Valpak, one of North America’s leading direct marketing companies. With $1.7 billion in revenue, the company operations include 15 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 86 radio stations, eight daily newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services. CMG operates in more than 30 media markets and reaches approximately 52 million Americans weekly, including 30 million TV viewers, more than 4 million print and online newspaper readers, and 18 million radio listeners. For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out online at www.coxmediagroup.com.

Indianapolis-based Emmis Communications Corporation is a diversified media company, principally focused on radio broadcasting. Emmis operates the 8th largest publicly traded radio portfolio in the United States based on total listeners. Emmis owns 18 FM and two AM radio stations in New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Austin (Emmis has a 50.1% controlling interest in Emmis’ radio stations located there), Indianapolis and Terre Haute, IN, including the country's two premier hip hop brands, Hot 97 in New York and Power 106 in Los Angeles.

 

Cox Media Group

Andy McDill – Andy.McDill@coxinc.com

678-645-0439

 

Emmis Communications

New York, NY – June 21, 2012 – Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, the leading media company in America, and WAYMedia Inc. today announced that WAY-FM’s Christian Music and Conversation programming is now available on iHeartRadio, Clear Channel’s industry-leading digital radio platform.  iHeartRadio now features 13 WAY-FM local stations and one national WAY-FM station, offering consumers more programming choices.

Under the agreement, WAY-FM’s national broadcast and local WAY-FM radio stations from Louisville, Tallahassee, Panama City, Charleston, Nashville, Wichita, Gadsden, Huntsville, Colorado Springs, Denver, West Palm Beach/Ft. Lauderdale, Portland and Ft. Myers/Naples are now available on the iHeartRadio platform wherever it is offered including web, mobile devices and automobiles.  iHeartRadio is Clear Channel’s best-in-class customizable digital listening service, that delivers everything listeners want in one free, fully-integrated service: instant access to more than 1,000 of the nation’s most popular live broadcast and digital-only radio stations from 150 cities, plus user-created Custom Stations inspired by favorite artists and songs.

“I am thrilled to have WAY-FM stations now available on the popular iHeartRadio platform. The folks at iHeartRadio are committed to providing the best programming to listeners and have been a pleasure to work with,” said Bob Augsburg, Founder and President, WAYMedia Inc. “This new relationship with iHeartRadio coincides perfectly with WAYMedia’s 2020 Vision which outlines the commitment we have to make our content available on as many platforms as possible.”

 

 

iHeartRadio is the No. 1 free broadcast app on the iPhone, iPad and Android and is consistently in the top 10 downloads of free music apps.  It continues to be one of the most popular digital music destinations with 100 million listening hours a month and more than 80 million downloads of the mobile apps.

WAY Media Inc. currently reaches over 875,000 weekly radio listeners through its Christian music programming and syndicated personalities. Founded in 1987 by President Bob Augsburg, the company’s radio operations are driven by 20 owned and operated WAY-FM radio stations.  Markets served include; Denver, CO; Nashville, TN; West Palm Beach, FL; Louisville, KY and Portland, OR.  In addition, it operates the WAY Media Network, which currently airs on over 120 radio stations in 26 states.

WAYMedia Network features strategically researched music and a unique approach to conversation with  THE WALLY SHOW in the morning and Melissa and Matt in the afternoon. More information on these marquee programs is available at allwally.com and heymelissaandmatt.com. Additional information on the company can be found at wayfm.com and waymedianetwork.com 

 

Lloyd Parker

719 533-0300

lloyd@wayfm.com
317-684-6535

New York, NY – June 18, 2012 – Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, the leading media company in America with a greater reach than any other radio or television outlet, today announced that Darren Davis has been promoted to  Executive Vice President of National Programming Platforms.  Davis will continue to report directly to Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms.

 

The National Programming Platforms team, led by Tom Poleman, orchestrates Clear Channel’s programming on a national level, including the  development of on-air and digital content as well as live events, like the iHeartRadio Music Festival, that leverage Clear Channel’s 850 stations, websites and iHeartRadio for listeners, advertisers and strategic partners.

 

In his new position, Davis will work closely with Poleman to oversee all aspects of the division and the ongoing development and execution of Clear Channel’s national advertising and programming integrations.  He will continue to manage the Programming Operations Center; the Brand Management in-house format team; and the company’s highly effective Premium Choice network, which imports and exports programming innovation and excellence from station to station providing the highest quality research, talent and programming otherwise unavailable. 

 

Davis began his programming career at WASH-FM in Washington, D.C./Baltimore in 1992.  He has since served as a Regional Vice President of Programming for Clear Channel Detroit and Chicago and worked his way up through the ranks as Senior Vice President of Programming and to his previous role as Senior Vice President and General Manager of National Programming Platforms.

 

“Over the past few years, Darren has been instrumental in transforming everything from our systems of communication to the way we maximize our best programming assets,” said Poleman.  “His efforts continue to give Clear Channel the competitive advantage and resources to be even more relevant and effective in the evolving market place, offering our listeners, partners and advertisers, products and content that nobody else can.  He has clearly earned the opportunity to grow within our company and he will continue to be an integral part of our team and our future.”

 

 

New York, NY – June 11, 2012 – Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, the leading media company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any other radio or television outlet, today announced Tom Schurr as its new President of Operations for its Major Markets, and Matt Martin as its new President of Operations for its Regional Markets.  Both positions will report directly to John Hogan, Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, effective immediately.

 

In this new position, Schurr, previously Executive Vice President of Operations for the Eastern Region Major Markets and a 30 year broadcast industry leader, will ensure that Clear Channel’s major broadcast markets have a dedicated operational focus, efficient lines of communication and continue to leverage the powerful, innovative resources that make Clear Channel the leading media and entertainment company in America. Schurr began his career at Taft Broadcasting and has worked for a number of various broadcast organizations prior to Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, including Great American, Citicasters and Jacor.  At Clear Channel he has held leadership roles in a number of markets across the country, including Buffalo, Milwaukee, Sacramento, Louisville, Houston, Dallas, Nashville and more.

 

Tom McConnell, recently appointed Executive Vice President of Operations and Hartley Adkins, Executive Vice President of Operations, will now report to Schurr and assist with the seamless implementation of companywide initiatives in the Major markets.

 

Matt Martin, former Senior Vice President of Operations for the West Region, will assume the new role of President of Operations for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s 123 Regional markets.  In this new position, Martin will ensure that the Regional markets have a dedicated operating focus, enhanced communication and collaboration and efficient access to Clear Channel’s full range of  best-in-class assets and resources.  Martin, with more than 15 years of sales and broadcast experience, began his radio career as a part-time sales representative while in college and worked his way through the ranks as a sales representative, sales manager, market manager and regional vice president of station clusters throughout Texas.  Martin has also held the position as President and Market Manager for the San Antonio Cluster and has been with Clear Channel since 1995.

 

John Rohm, Senior Vice President of Operations for the Southeast Regional Markets, and two soon-to-be-named Senior Vice President of Operations for the Regional Markets, will report to Martin.

 

The recent realignment also included the promotion of Tom McConnell as an Executive Vice President of Operations for the Major Markets.  McConnell has been a valuable part of the Clear Channel team since 1995 when he began his career at WHYN in Springfield, Mass.  McConnell worked his way up through the ranks including Market Manager and Regional Vice President in Hartford, Conn., President and Market Manager of Boston, Mass. and Providence, R.I. and his previous role as Senior Vice President of Operations for the Northeast Regional Markets.

 

“As a company, we put a priority on recognizing our high performers with advancement opportunities to grow and develop their careers,” said Hogan. “The proven leadership, experience and performance results of Tom, Matt and Tom M. have shown that they are the perfect candidates to help continue to reinvent how our evolving markets operate.  They have all earned the opportunity to grow their careers and will be an integral part of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s exciting future.”

 

Tom Schurr will be based in New York City; Matt Martin will remain in San Antonio, Texas.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Big Machine Label Group and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment today announced a groundbreaking agreement to align their business interests and accelerate growth and innovation in digital radio to the benefit of music fans and radio listeners everywhere.

Artists with Big Machine’s wholly owned labels who will benefit from this agreement include Big Machine Records artists Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Edens Edge and Ella Mae Bowen and Valory Music Co. artists Reba McEntire, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, The Mavericks and Thomas Rhett.

“For years, record companies and media companies have looked for a new way to do business together that would bring our interests into line,” said Scott Borchetta, President and Chief Executive Officer of Big Machine Label Group. “In Clear Channel, I found partners who shared my big-picture view of how we could structure an agreement to benefit all involved. Not only does this partnership enable Big Machine to participate in terrestrial broadcast revenues, but we are also helping to grow digital radio – a great opportunity for all of us and a breakthrough opportunity for Big Machine artists.”

“Scott Borchetta has reinvented the music business in many important ways over the years, from distribution and artist development to promotion and advertising,” said Bob Pittman, Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel. “Focusing that same creativity on how best to grow the music business, Scott has developed this new model with us to let his labels and artists participate in the revenue of broadcast radio immediately and in digital radio as it builds. This is a big step, but we think this investment is an opportunity worth taking to align our interests in all of our revenue streams and grow digital listening to its full potential with record labels and their artists as our partners. This landmark agreement creates a structure that makes sense for both our companies – but most of all for music fans.”

“Today, 98 percent of our listening is terrestrial broadcast and 2 percent digital – with record labels and artists only paid for the 2 percent,” said John Hogan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. “This new agreement expands label and artist participation from just digital to terrestrial broadcast radio revenues in one comprehensive framework that will give all of us a great incentive to drive the growth of the digital radio industry and allow everyone to participate financially in its growth. This market-based solution helps bring the best in music to radio listeners wherever they want to hear it.”

At the helm of the independent Big Machine Label Group is industry veteran Scott Borchetta, who serves as President and CEO. The conglomerate encompasses Big Machine Records (founded in 2005), The Valory Music Co. (founded in 2007) and Republic Nashville (a partnership with Universal Republic founded in 2009 with Jimmy Harnen serving as President). The Big Machine Label Group’s current artist roster includes Multi-Platinum superstars Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Reba and Martina McBride; Platinum sensations The Band Perry; legendary group The Mavericks; established acts Eli Young Band, Justin Moore as well as hot newcomers Brantley Gilbert, Sunny Sweeney, Edens Edge, Thomas Rhett, Ella Mae Bowen and Greg Bates. BMLG artists have received multiple GRAMMY, CMA, ACM, American Music Awards, CMT Music Awards, Teen Choice Awards, MTV Video Music Award and People’s Choice Award accolades as well as Brit Award and JUNO Award nominations. For more information, visit us at www.BigMachineMusic.com

Like Big Machine Label Group on Facebook by clicking here.