TUNE IN VIRTUAL 2020 ‘IHEARTCOUNTRY FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE’ ON OCTOBER 23

Featuring Performances from Dierks Bentley, Lady A, Sam Hunt, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Dustin Lynch, Jon Pardi, Riley Green, Special Performances by Morgan Evans and Gabby Barrett and Host Bobby Bones, Recorded Live On One Stage in Nashville

The Virtual Event Will Stream Exclusively on LiveXLive.com and Broadcast Across iHeartCountry Radio Stations on October 23

WHAT: The 2020 “iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One,” originally scheduled for May 2, will stream on LiveXLive.com and broadcast across iHeartMedia’s County music radio stations on October 23 at 7pm CT.

WHO: Hosted by Bobby Bones, the seventh annual event will feature performances from Dierks Bentley, Lady A, Sam Hunt, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Dustin Lynch, Jon Pardi, Riley Green, Special Performances by Morgan Evans and Gabby Barrett, recorded live on one stage in Nashville.

WHEN:

Stream:

Radio Broadcast:

  • October 23 at 7pm CT on iHeartMedia’s Country music radio stations in local markets and at iHeartRadio.com.

WHERE: The 2020 iHeartCountry Festival will stream exclusively on LiveXLive and broadcast live across iHeartMedia’s Country music radio stations in local markets and at iHeartRadio.com on October 23 at 7pm CT.

MORE: Capital One Cardholders had the opportunity to enter an exclusive sweepstakes for the chance to virtually play in the iHeartCountry Capital One Trivia Night with Kelsea Ballerini, hosted by Bobby Bones. Players will receive an item signed by Kelsea Ballerini and the Trivia Night winner will announce Kelsea Ballerini virtually during the iHeartCountry Festival.

The iHeartCountry Festival is an iHeartMedia Production. Capital One will be the national presenting partner for the event. Proud partners of the iHeartCountry Festival include Country Crock®, Jane.com, Progressive® Insurance, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as the exclusive charity partner.

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Attorney & TV Host Eboni K. Williams Launches ‘Holding Court’ on iHeartMedia’s The Black Effect Podcast Network

‘Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams’ will tackle hot legal cases impacting culture, personality Dustin Ross to contribute

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19, 2020- Attorney & TV host, Eboni K. Williams, will debut her new podcast ‘Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams’ on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The podcast will join The Black Effect Podcast Network, a historic new partnership between iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God dedicated to bringing the most influential and trusted voices in Black culture to the podcasting space. New episodes of ‘Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams’ will drop every Wednesday. Williams, who is currently Host & Executive producer of ‘REVOLT Black News’ on REVOLT TV, is known for her sharp analysis of legal and cultural headlines.

Williams, along with cultural observer Dustin Ross, will cross-examine news-making cases and famous faces providing teachable moments to navigate a rigged justice system. Each week on ‘Holding Court with Eboni K.Williams’, Williams and Ross will break down what’s on the docket in American justice and what’s not.

“There’s no way around it, the legal cases we hear about in the news are shaping social justice and popular culture. We need to dissect them from a Black perspective in a way that doesn’t hold back. Dustin and I will give you the facts straight and our takes will be highly unfiltered,” said Eboni K. Williams.

Williams holds a J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Ross is an actor, and head writer of late-night talk show ‘The Read’ on Fuse TV. The ‘Holding Court with Eboni K.Williams’ podcast, distributed through The Black Effect Podcast Network, will be available on iHeartRadio and all major podcast platforms.

Fans can go to iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen to ‘Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams’ on all their favorite devices — including smart speakers, digital auto dashes, tablets, wearables, smartphones, virtual assistants, televisions, gaming consoles and more. 

About Eboni K. Williams

Eboni K. Williams is currently the Host & Executive Producer of ‘REVOLT Black News’, which airs on REVOLT TV founded by Sean "Diddy" Combs. She's also a co-host on REVOLT’s hip hop talk show ‘State of the Culture’ and a cast member on Bravo TV’s ‘Real Housewives of New York City’. Williams holds a B.A. in Communications and African-American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. She began her professional experience in Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. As a law student, Williams clerked for the Louisiana Secretary of State and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. She went on to specialize in family law and civil litigation, providing legal consult on high-profile divorce, spousal support, and child custody cases. Williams then transitioned into practicing as a public defender, as well as a private defense lawyer in North Carolina, and throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. She has represented clients in criminal matters including murders, rapes, high volume drug cases, sex crimes, and federal offenses. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Safe Horizon, which is the nation’s leading victims assistance organization. Williams’ podcast ‘Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams’ is produced by her production company Uppity Productions.

About The Black Effect Podcast Network

The Black Effect Podcast Network is a transformative network founded by renowned cultural architect, executive producer, bestselling author, and media mogul Charlamagne Tha God. In an historic joint venture with the world’s number one commercial podcast publisher, iHeartMedia, Charlamagne and iHeartMedia created the groundbreaking first-ever Black Effect Podcast Network, celebrating the most important Black culture-shapers on the planet—in education, politics, entertainment, sports and pop culture. The Black Effect Podcast Network gives rise to emerging and established content creators and storytellers whose perspective and creative vision have been marginalized and overlooked while serving an audience that has been underserved. The Black Effect Podcast Network helps its partners define their place in culture through influence, ideas, and experiences that engage, inspire, inform and empower.

 

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iHeartMedia, Doghouse Pictures and Will Packer Media Team Up to Launch “Fight Night” – A True Crime Podcast That Delves Deep into One of Atlanta’s Largest, Most Notorious Heists

Host Jeff Keating Examines Atlanta’s Infamous Armed Robbery from the Night of Muhammad Ali’s Historic 1970 Comeback Fight

New York – October 19, 2020 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 commercial podcast publisher globally, Georgia-based production company Doghouse Pictures and Will Packer Media today announced the launch of “Fight Night,” a new iHeartRadio Original true crime podcast. The podcast, hosted by Jeff Keating and co-produced by record-breaking producer Will Packer and James Lopez, President of Will Packer Productions, examines one of Atlanta’s most infamous armed robbery from the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 return after being banned from boxing for refusing to enter the military draft.

“Fight Night” will debut Monday, October 26, the 50th anniversary of Ali’s historic fight when he defeated Jerry Quarry, with new episodes airing weekly each Monday. Listeners can hear the official audio trailer now on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.

In “Fight Night,” host Jeff Keating unravels the story of an after-party celebrating Ali’s victory that turned horribly wrong. After the fight, hundreds of wealthy guests headed to a private party and according to police reports robbers met them at the front door and herded the guests into the basement forcing them to hand over their money and jewelry. “Fight Night” takes a deeper dive into that notorious night, examining the private party that quickly turned into one of the largest armed robberies the country has ever seen.

“What happened in Atlanta shortly after heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali made his celebrated return to the ring is a true crime mystery that will keep listeners craving more, especially with the 50th anniversary of the fight and horrendous crime so near,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartPodcast Network. “Will Packer Media and Doghouse Pictures are known for their groundbreaking and innovative content. Partnering with them on this show will bring the highest level of storytelling to this layered podcast.”

“We’re excited to partner with iHeartMedia and Will Packer Media to finally share with the world this riveting crimewhich reflects race and relationships from the early 1970’s,” said producer Jeff Keating of Doghouse Pictures. “The friendship between the hustler, Gordon ‘Chicken Man’ Williams and cop, JD Hudson, comes to life through their fascinating interviews, which span five decades and have never been heard before.”

“This is the type of project that is perfect for the podcasting space: captivating, high stakes, suspenseful - all against the backdrop of a historic moment in the great Muhammad Ali’s career,” said Will Packer. “True crime aficionados and those new to the genre will be enthralled by this piece.”

Executive Produced by Dan Bush, Lars Jacobson, and Kenny Burns and co-written by Jeff Keating and Jim Roberts, all episodes of “Fight Night” will be distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network and available on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.

About Will Packer Media

Led by Hollywood producer Will Packer, Will Packer Media is a first-of-its-kind production and branded content company focused on the New American Mainstream audience, with an urban millennial core. In partnership with Discovery, Inc. and Universal Pictures, the company produces episodic scripted and unscripted series across television and digital platforms, compelling content for brand clients, and short-form digital content for millennial audiences. Will Packer’s films have earned more than $1 billion, with ten opening at number one at the box office.

About Doghouse Pictures

Doghouse Pictures (DHP) is a film and podcast content production company, founded by CEO Jeff Keating. DHP produced the feature documentary LIVING IS WINNING, which won the audience award during the 2009 Atlanta Film Festival and received U.S. distribution from Passion River Films in 2011. DHP has optioned the critically acclaimed short story FOLLOW ME by Paul Griner and is developing the script into a feature film. Keating will begin production in November on his second season as an iHeartMedia host with a true crime series entitled PEE WEE GASKIN WAS NOT MY FRIEND.

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Award–Winning Broadcaster Ed Gordon And Respected Radio Veterans Chris Thompson And Angela Ingram Join Bin: Black Information Network

Gordon Will Serve as On-Air Anchor and Correspondent and Produce Special Reports for the 2020 Presidential Election and Beyond

Thompson Will Serve as Director of Network Operations and Ingram Will Serve as

Director of Local Advocacy and Engagement

New York, NY – October 13, 2020 BIN: Black Information Network, the 24/7 comprehensive national audio news service dedicated to providing an objective, accurate and trusted source of continual news coverage with a Black voice and perspective, announced today that three well-respected media veterans have joined the network, effective immediately. Emmy Award-winning journalist Ed Gordon will serve as an on-air anchor and correspondent, noted radio veteran Chris Thompson has been named Director of Network Operations and long-time iHeartMedia Chicago communications executive Angela Ingram will become Director of Local Advocacy and Engagement.

BIN is distributed nationally through the iHeartRadio app, available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices, as well as on local AM/FM broadcast radio stations across the Atlanta, Augusta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus – GA, Columbus – OH, Dayton – OH, Detroit, Greenville, Macon, Miami, Minneapolis, Montgomery – AL, Nashville, New Orleans, New York City, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Riverside, San Francisco, St. Louis, Seattle and Washington, D.C. markets.

In addition to his new role as an on-air anchor, Gordon will produce special programming leading up to the 2020 Presidential election and will provide exclusive reports covering politics, Black culture and more. He is the recipient of a NAACP Image Award and the Journalist of the Year Award from the National Association of Black Journalists. Gordon’s first book, the best-selling “Conversations in Black,” was released in 2020 and features interviews with over 40 leaders and influencers for a “virtual” conversation about the state of Black America and new narratives about the continuing fight for justice and equality.

“There’s no question that this is the most important election in decades, especially for Black America, and we’re thrilled to have Ed Gordon leading our coverage of this upcoming Presidential race,” said Tanita Myers, Director of News Operations for BIN: Black Information Network. “Whether it’s talking with Presidents or just talking about today’s biggest stories, Ed’s well-known hard-hitting, direct and no nonsense style will be right at home at BIN: Black Information Network and further establishes our role as a trusted source for Black Americans nationwide.”

“I am elated to join what I believe will become an important and powerful network,” said Gordon. “BIN will be a vehicle that allows facts, conversations and opinions that have for too long been silenced or minimized to have a high-profile platform to speak truth to power as well as give people who are seeking more diverse narratives a new outlet.”

As BIN’s new Director of Network Operations, Thompson brings over 20 years of radio experience to the BIN team in the areas of Broadcast Operations, Programming, Sales, Affiliate Relations and Talent Management. He is the former Vice President of Radio Operations for Reach Media, has served as the Executive Director of Network Operations for Connecticut-based Buckley Radio and successfully managed syndication and affiliate clearances for the 15 nationally syndicated weekday and weekend Talk Radio programs under the WOR Radio Network brand and its 500-plus unique affiliations. In his new role, Thompson will report directly to Tony Coles, President of BIN: Black Information Network.

In addition to her new role as the Director of Local Advocacy and Engagement for BIN, Ingram will continue to serve as Senior Vice President of Communications for the Chicago Region of iHeartMedia Markets Group, where she leads a number of advocacy initiatives, working with more than 50 civic and business leaders to support education, voter registration, health awareness, volunteerism, women’s issues and other causes. Her additional responsibilities at BIN will include working with affiliate stations to increase their local advocacy efforts and engagement with community leaders and organizations. Ingram joined the Chicago station group as Director of Marketing in 1995 after holding marketing and promotions positions for the company’s stations in Louisville, Kentucky and Charlotte. She also will report to Coles.

“One of our goals is to attract the best leadership and talent to the Black Information Network,” said Coles. “As we continue to expand, this team is vital to providing our affiliates and partners with best-in-class service and support. I am thrilled to have Chris leading these efforts as our Director of Network Operations and Angela spearheading integral advocacy initiatives as Director of Local Advocacy and Engagement.”

About BIN: Black Information Network

BIN: Black Information Network is the first and only 24/7 national and local all-news audio service dedicated to providing an objective, accurate and trusted source of continual news coverage with a Black voice and perspective. BIN is enabled by the resources, assets and financial support of iHeartMedia and the support of its Founding Partners: Bank of America, CVS Health, GEICO, Lowe’s, McDonald’s USA, Sony, 23andMe and Verizon. BIN is focused on service to the Black community and providing an information window for those outside the community to help foster communication, accountability and deeper understanding.

BIN: Black Information Network is distributed nationally through the iHeartRadio app and accessible via mobile, smart speakers, smart TVs and other connected platforms, and on dedicated all-news local broadcast AM/FM radio stations. BIN also provides the news service for iHeartMedia’s 91 Hip Hop, R&B and Gospel stations across the country. Please visit www.BINNews.com for more information.

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iHeartMedia Partners with Horror Studio Blumhouse Television and Creator of Supernatural Podcast “Lore” Aaron Mahnke To Produce Immersive Halloween Podcast Series Starring Emmy Award-Winning Actor Keegan-Michael Key

Premiering October 19, podcast “Aaron Mahnke’s 13 Days of Halloween” invites fans of horror into “Hawthorne Manor” and an all-new world of terror that uses cutting-edge binaural audio technology, dropping daily in the 13 days leading up to Halloween

New York – October 12, 2020 - iHeartMedia, the No. 1 commercial podcast publisher globally, today announced the release of “Aaron Mahnke’s 13 Days of Halloween” from Blumhouse Television and iHeartMedia a new, original scripted podcast series starring Keegan-Michael Key. iHeartMedia will produce alongside Blumhouse, the iconic horror studio behind Paranormal Activity, Get Out and The Purge, and the podcasting master of horror, Aaron Mahnke.

In the 13 days leading up to Halloween, Blumhouse Television, iHeartMedia and its partners will bring a spooky world to life through an immersive audio experience, giving listeners a new daily story that’s a little scarier than the one before it. Set in the purgatorial hotel “Hawthorne Manor” and hosted by the “caretaker” – voiced by Keegan-Michael Key – listeners play the role of the hotel’s latest guest, putting them at the center of a new terrifying tale. Episode stories will range from family haunts and doomsday scenarios, to neighborhood mysteries and more.

“Hawthorne Manor is a unique world and we’re so thrilled to be working with iHeartMedia and Aaron Mahnke to bring this sinister tale to life,” said Jeremy Gold, President of Blumhouse Television. “With people staying home this Halloween, we thought listeners would appreciate getting lost in this world with us and having a taste of the spooky spirit of this holiday.”

“Who doesn’t love a good Halloween story?” said acclaimed podcast host and creator, Aaron Mahnke. “With iHeartMedia’s unmatched distribution platform and Blumhouse’s deep roots in horror storytelling, we’ve built the perfect team to scare the socks off our listeners this Halloween.”

The series will be produced using binaural audio, a cutting-edge audio format that immerses listeners completely in the world of the haunted hotel with a three-dimensional auditory experience. Binaural audio simulates the way humans naturally hear, with detailed soundscapes that have a sense of distance and position relative to the listener, providing a virtual reality experience in audio.

“We’re always looking for different ways to immerse podcast fans into new worlds,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartPodcast Network. “With 13 Days of Halloween, we’re partnering with the best talent in horror to create something special, with deeply haunting stories and ambitious sound technology that makes the experience that much better.”

All episodes of “Aaron Mahnke’s 13 Days of Halloween” from Blumhouse Television and iHeartMedia will be distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network. The iHeartPodcast Network is home to more than 750 original podcasts with over 251 million downloads each month. iHeartRadio Original Podcasts span every category from business, sports, spirituality and technology to entertainment, family, comedy and true crime – and everything in between – making iHeartRadio the largest publisher of podcast content in the world. The platform is also home to the most successful podcast of all time, “Stuff You Should Know,” and creator of hits like “The Ron Burgundy Podcast” and the “Atlanta Monster” series as well as fosters over a hundred shows from its on-air talent like the popular “Bobbycast” and “The Breakfast Club” radio show podcasts. These shows are distributed on all major podcast platforms including the iHeartRadio app, which additionally distributes more than 320,000 shows.

Fans can go to iHeart.com/apps to download and listen on all their favorite devices – including smart speakers, digital auto dashes, tablets, wearables, smartphones, virtual assistants, televisions, gaming consoles and more.

About Blumhouse Television

Blumhouse Television has earned critical acclaim and numerous honors for its dark, edgy fare including Emmy® awards for its productions of HBO's The Normal Heart and The Jinx, as well as the prestigious Peabody award for The Jinx and the documentary How to Dance in Ohio. Blumhouse Television launched as an independent studio in 2017 with funding from ITV. Projects since the studio launch include Golden Globe® and Emmy® nominated HBO limited series Sharp Objects; Golden Globe®, Critics Choice® and Writers Guild® award nominated Showtime limited series The Loudest Voice and The Good Lord Bird, the latter starring and executive produced by Ethan Hawke and based on the award-winning novel by James McBride; and a slate of eight genre films for Amazon Prime under the banner Welcome to the Blumhouse. The studio produced The Purge on USA Network from writer/director/producer James DeMonaco and based on the popular film franchise; the holiday themed anthology event series Into the Dark for Hulu; and anthology series Sacred Lies created by Emmy® nominee Raelle Tucker. Blumhouse continues its true crime docuseries tradition with No One Saw a Thing on Sundance Channel, A Wilderness of Error for FX from Marc Smerling and with Errol Morris, and projects in development at Netflix, Oxygen, and Epix. The studio continues to develop award-winning and critically acclaimed documentary films including A Secret Love produced with Ryan Murphy for Netflix; Pray Away an official selection of the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival; and Pharma Bro an official selection of this year’s Hot Docs Festival about “the most hated man in America”, Martin Shkreli. Past documentary films include Writers Guild Award® winner Bathtubs Over Broadway and winner of the 2018 Sundance Audience Award This is Home. Blumhouse Television is the latest venture from Jason Blum, founder of Blumhouse Productions, which is widely-recognized for its pioneering model of producing high-quality micro-budget films including The Purge, Get Out, The Invisible Man and Halloween.

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The Seventh Annual iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina Celebrated The Best In Latin Culture And Music During Hispanic Heritage Month

The Virtual Event Featured Remote Performances from Ozuna, Prince Royce, Anitta, Manuel Turizo, Myke Towers, Camilo and Corazón Latino Honoree Nicky Jam, Hosted By Enrique Santos

NEW YORK – October 9, 2020 – The seventh annual iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina celebrated the best in Latin culture and music during Hispanic Heritage Month featuring performances from Ozuna, Prince Royce, Anitta, Manuel Turizo, Myke Towers, Camilo and and Corazón Latino Honoree, Nicky Jam, on October 8. The virtual event, hosted by Enrique Santos, featured remote performances from locations around the world, as well as stories from members of the Latin community who have changed the world of art, television, cinema, radio and politics. Hulu subscribers were able to watch iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina as a one-hour special on October 8 and can continue to watch through October 15. The event also streamed in its entirety on LiveXLive (NASDAQ: LIVX) and broadcasted across iHeartMedia’s Spanish Mainstream Hits, Tropical, Regional Mexican, Tejano, Hot AC and Oldies radio stations nationwide.

This year, iHeartMedia and Enrique Santos celebrated those who give back to their local communities and presented the fifth annual iHeartRadio Corazón Latino Award Presented by Ally to Nicky Jam. The award honors an individual who exemplifies their big heart through their selfless work in enhancing the lives, heritage and future of the Latin community. In addition to his work in music, the Puerto Rican star gave back to the Hispanic community through his relief efforts following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and has helped less fortunate families in Colombia. Nicky Jam represents the ultimate story of rising to fame, falling and overcoming – following his triumph over drug use, he has become a pioneer for those struggling in the industry and Latin community – ultimately becoming one of the top influencers in the music industry.

The 2020 iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina included the following highlights:

  • Nicky Jam performed his biggest hits, “Te Robaré,” “El Perdón,” “X” and “Hasta el Amanecer” from a rooftop alongside backup dancers. Prior to his set, he discussed the importance of voting. In addition, Enrique Santos presented Nicky Jam with this year’s “iHeartRadio Corazón Latino Award Presented by Ally” for his relief efforts following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and helping less fortunate families in Colombia, among other ways he's given back to the Hispanic community over the years.
  • In a dimly lit living room setting, Ozuna performed a collection of songs to make everyone dance including “Playa Y Arena,” “Caramelo,” “Despeinada,” “Baila Baila Baila” and “Mamacita.”
  • Prince Royce opened his set with a performance of “Corazon Sin Clara” from a couch. He safely reunited with his band to perform songs including “Cúrame,” “Morir Solo,” “La Carretera,” “Carita De Inocente,” “El Clavo,” “Lotería” and “Darte Un Beso.”
  • Anitta brought all the dance moves to the show as she sang and danced on her own stage to songs including “Desce Pro Play (Pa Pa Pa),” “Me Gusta” and “Tócame.”
  • Myke Towers took over a Metro train in Miami to perform his songs “Diosa,” “Ronca,” “Girl,” “La Curiosidad” and “Llegará” with a group of dancers.
  • On a rooftop parking garage, Manuel Turizo performed “Quiéreme Mientras Se Pueda,” “Te Quemaste,” “Vaina Loca” and brand-new song “La Nota.”
  • Camilo gave fans an intimate performance from his home. His set included acoustic guitars as he performed “Favorito,” “Tutu,” “La Mitad” and “Tattoo.”
  • Nicky Jam and Prince Royce discussed the importance of voting with Enrique Santos. Nicky Jam explained, “It's very important. We gotta make sure we know what's good for our future, for our kids and for our country. So, it's very important. If you don't vote, it doesn't count.” Prince Royce added, “Register and vote and be heard.”

Additionally, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, now through October 15 iHeartRadio is recognizing achievements and contributions from some of today’s biggest artists, personalities, politicians and more from the Latin community with a series of audio vignettes. Beginning on September 15, listeners were able to hear about the life achievements of Pope Francis, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Dolores Huerta, Jorge Ramos, Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, Sofia Vergara, Jaime Camil, Eugenio Derbez, Chef Andres, Rosario Dawson, America Ferrera, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Jessica Alba, Ricky Martin, Walter Mercado, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ronda Rousey, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Ellen Ochoa, Sylvia Rivera, Celia Cruz, Selena, Don Francisco, John Leguizamo, Edward James Olmos, Eva Longoria, Shakira, María Celeste Arrarás and more.

Proud partners of the iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina include Goya, McDonald’s and OGX Beauty.

For more information, visit iHeartRadio.com/fiesta.

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iHeartMedia Launches “HBCU Homecoming Celebration On iHeartRadio” To Recognize Notable Alumni And Students From Historically Black Colleges And Universities Nationwide

Beginning October 19, the Month-Long Celebration In Partnership with McDonald’s USA and Ulta Beauty Will Feature Custom Vignettes, Special Podcast Episodes and an All-Day Homecoming Event on November 12 Including a Virtual Panel, Pre-show and Performances 

La La Anthony, Lionel Richie, Toni Braxton and Wale Among Other Notable HBCU Alumni Will Be Spotlighted in the HBCU Homecoming Celebration Vignettes, Which Will Air on iHeartMedia’s Hip Hop and R&B Broadcast Radio Stations, Podcasts, Social Media Platforms and The iHeartRadio App Nationwide

NEW YORK – October 7, 2020 – iHeartMedia, the number one audio company in the United States, announced today the launch of “HBCU Homecoming Celebration on iHeartRadio,” an uplifting month-long celebration showcasing Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ (HBCU) school pride and elevating student achievement through iHeartMedia’s multiple platforms, including on-air across iHeartMedia’s Hip Hop and R&B broadcast radio stations, streaming, social channels, iHeartMedia’s Black Creator podcasts and live virtual events. Beginning October 19 and continuing through November 12, the celebration will bring together HBCU students and alumni with their favorite musical artists, influencers and entertainment.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of HBCUs and their students and alumni will not be able to attend in-person homecoming celebrations to honor their institutions’ rich histories, cultural impact and notable alumni.  The month-long “HBCU Homecoming Celebration on iHeartRadio” will feature special themed podcast episodes and a month of custom vignettes celebrating Black excellence and achievement highlighting its alumni and students including singer, songwriter Bobby Valentino; singer and songwriter Brian McKnight; recording artist, songwriter, actor and activist Killer Mike; actress and personality La La Anthony; actor Lance Gross; singer, songwriter and actor Lionel Richie; producer, songwriter and DJ Metro Boomin; actor and entertainment reporter Terrence J; singer and songwriter Toni Braxton; recording artist Wale; film producer Will Packer; and iHeartRadio on-air personalities Bev Johnson, Bushman, Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy, Kendra G, Kyle Santillian, Mike Evans, Monica Barnes, Queen B and Zach Boog.

“HBCU Homecoming Celebration on iHeartRadio” was developed in partnership with several partners including McDonald’s, through its Black & Positively Golden movement, and Ulta Beauty – all of whom have collaborated to create unique and impactful programming to celebrate students and alumni while bringing awareness to the profound influence historically Black colleges and universities continue to have on our country. 

Beginning in November, iHeart and Ulta Beauty will launch a social sharing challenge that will encourage HBCU students to share their at-home Homecoming style for a chance to win a virtual meet and greet with an artist.  Additionally, On November 12, Ulta Beauty and iHeart will host a star-studded panel with a performing artist, spotlighting conversations between Black female celebrities and entrepreneurs. The panel aims to raise up, inspire and pave the way for the next generation of Black women leaders.  

The celebration will culminate with a special event across all iHeartMedia Hip Hop and R&B stations and include a special pre-show and performance sponsored by McDonald’s through its Black and Positively Golden movement, which shines a positive light on Black excellence through initiatives that provide opportunities for the next generation of leaders taking steps today to own tomorrow. 

“Homecoming is a time of celebration and unity on college campuses across the country.  With in-person activities being cancelled due to COVID, the “HBCU Homecoming Celebration on iHeartRadio” will keep our communities connected, engaged and entertained during a challenging time,” said Thea Mitchem, Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia. “As a HBCU graduate, I understand the transformative role HBCUs play in enriching and improving the lives of young people.”

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Spark Foundry and iHeartMedia Launch Audio Academy

Internal Training Platform to Empower Marketers on Best Practices To Leverage Audio’s Full Potential For Brands 

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 – Spark Foundry, the largest North American media agency within Publicis Media, in partnership with iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in America and No. 1 commercial podcast publisher, announced today the launch of the Audio Academy – a  digital interactive training platform focused on today’s evolving audio landscape. Composed of multimedia training modules produced by some of the industry’s foremost professionals, Audio Academy will feature a comprehensive curricula, designed to provide thought leadership and enable breakthrough strategies. Audio Academy will launch at Spark Foundry in late September on Publicis Groupe’s AI-driven connectivity platform Marcel before rolling out across Publicis Media later in the year.

“From sonic branding to podcasting to streaming, recent innovations in the audio industry require us to think more holistically and strategically than ever before,” said Chris Boothe, CEO, Spark Foundry. “As a leader in the audio industry, iHeartMedia, is the ideal partner to launch the Audio Academy with. The interactive training program will provide continuing education to keep our talent best-in-class, and empower Spark Foundry to strategically harness audio channels to drive growth for our clients.”

The Audio Academy curriculum has been developed by key talent in the audio space, and created from in-depth analysis and insights of trends and innovations to drive key strategies on how to best approach planning, buying and measuring of audio campaigns on behalf of brands.

The training will entail two modules constructed to deepen one’s comprehensive understanding of the evolving audio ecosystem and sharpen the expertise in defining the best approach to planning and buying in relation to consumer listening habits which includes broadcast radio, podcasts, streaming, creating sonic identities, and measurement among other critical areas of the audio business.

“The demand for audio education is at an all-time high during Covid, because radio is the biggest reach medium offering the most agility to adapt messages quickly market by market as consumer and brand needs are changing faster than ever. There is no more trusted, flexible and affordable medium than audio,” said Gayle Troberman, CMO of iHeartMedia. “Leading agencies, like Spark Foundry, that recognize the need for more audio education will be better positioned to identify new growth opportunities for clients during this critical time. We are thrilled to be able to bring our knowledge, insights, influencers and scale across radio, digital, podcasts and events to help Spark develop the leading audio education platform.”

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Chart-Topping Country Singer Lindsay Ell’s New Song “Workin’ Out” Released Today; First Music From Highly Anticipated Podcast Musical, Make It Up As We Go Co-Produced By Audio Up Media And iHeartMedia

Star-Studded Cast Includes Miranda Lambert, Billy Bob Thornton, Bobby Bones, Craig Robinson, Lindsay Ell And Scarlett Burke

First Two Episodes Premiere October 8th Via iHeartRadio

Listen To New Audio Trailer Here

(LOS ANGELES, October 1, 2020) – Sony Music Nashville, in conjunction with Audio Up Media, today released “Workin’ Out” by critically-acclaimed country music artist/songwriter, Lindsay Ell. The song is the first track to be released from Make It Up As We Go, the upcoming, highly-anticipated scripted podcast musical co-produced by Audio Up and iHeartMedia. Premiering with two episodes on Thursday, October 8th, Make It Up As We Go is exclusively presented by Unilever's Knorr and Magnum brands and will be available on iHeartRadio and everywhere else podcasts are heard. “Workin’ Out” was co-written by: singer/songwriter, series star and director, Scarlett Burke; Audio Up founder and track producer, Jared Gutstadt; co-producer Jeff Peters; and Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer, Nicolle Galyon. Listen to the track HERE.

Created by Gutstadt and Burke, Make It Up As We Go is the story of an aspiring young singer-songwriter who pursues a career in the music industry and navigates the legendary writers rooms of Nashville’s country music publishers. The podcast is written by David Hudgins (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood and Game of Silence) and Brooks Hudgins. Make It Up As We Go’s high profile cast also includes Billy Bob Thornton, Craig Robinson, Bre Blair, and Michael Raymond-James. Bobby Bones, Lindsay Ell, and executive producer Miranda Lambert will make appearances as themselves. Listen to the latest audio trailer HERE.

About Audio Up Media

Audio Up Media is a podcast content production studio, housing a world of audio-based properties. Founded by CEO Jared Gutstadt (formerly of Jingle Punks), Audio Up is building an ecosystem of premium entertainment content within the music and audio space. From fictional scripted podcasts, including original musicals, to one-on-one interview formats, Audio Ups goal is to create a new and innovative form of content. Current properties include the riveting top 20 true crime podcast, Where The Bodies Are Buried, and emerging pet culture podcast, The Pet Show with host Jimmy Jellinek. Their upcoming slate of projects includes Make It Up As We Go with Miranda Lambert, Lindsay Ell, Bobby Bones, Billy Bob Thornton and Scarlett Burke; and Halloween in Hell, starring Machine Gun Kelly, 24KGoldn and iann dior.

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iHeartMedia Names Cheryl Mills To Its Board Of Directors

NEW YORK, NY – October 1, 2020 – iHeartMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:  IHRT), the leading audio company in America, today announced that it has named Cheryl Mills, founder and Chief Executive Officer of the BlackIvy Group LLC, to its Board of Directors. Her appointment expands the iHeartMedia board to eight directors.

Mills, a successful entrepreneur with strategy and policy expertise and a long history of public service, founded BlackIvy as a values-driven company that builds and grows commercial enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa to meet the needs of an expanding consumer population and growing business sector.  BlackIvy’s platform of businesses across East and West Africa include housing, healthcare, food, warehousing and logistics. As CEO of the company, Mills oversees all facets of the Company from strategy to capital-raising.

“We are extremely pleased that Cheryl Mills is joining the iHeart board,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Inc. “Her depth and breadth of experience, her leadership in policy, business and entrepreneurship, education and media, and her deep commitment to public service, will provide strong and unique value to our board and our company, and we are looking forward to her contributions.”

Prior to BlackIvy, Mills served as Chief of Staff to Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and Counselor to the U.S. Department of State, where she managed foreign policy and operational priorities of the $55 billion agency that employs more than 50,000 officials across 160 countries. She directly supervised specific policy areas, including the Obama Administration’s $3.5 billion global hunger and food security initiative spanning 19 countries, including 12 in Africa.

From 2002 – 2009, Ms. Mills served as Senior Vice President for Administration and Operations and as General Counsel at New York University, one of the nation’s largest private universities with a $2.2 billion dollar annual operating budget and more than 50,000 students attending 18 schools and colleges in New York City and sites in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America.

Ms. Mills previously served as Senior Vice President for Corporate Policy and Public Programming at Oxygen Media and as Deputy Counsel to the President at the White House. Ms. Mills’ legal experience also includes serving as Associate Counsel to the President and as an associate at the Washington, D.C. law firm of Hogan and Hartson.

Ms. Mills currently serves on the board of BlackRock, Inc., the Clinton Foundation and the See Forever Foundation / Maya Angelou Public Charter School.

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