In 2011 he was named The Most Powerful Person in Radio by Radio Ink and now there is no doubt. A Sunday night press release shot out to the media by Clear Channel makes it crystal clear that, lass than a year after coming on board, Bob Pittman is now in full control of the company. Pittman has been named CEO of Clear Channel Media Holdings. Pittman will now oversee Radio, Digital, Outdoor and International Outdoor. Clear Channel Radio President John Hogan told Radio Ink "this is a terrific opportunity for the company and I could not be happier. Bob is so experienced, so passionate, and so broadly visionary that I think CCOA and CCOI will benefit as CCR has from his input and involvement. Bob has been terrific for me over last 10 months and I think he'll be equally as beneficial to the CEOs and teams at CC Outdoor."
When Mark Mays stepped down as CEO early this year, Clear Channel established a new position called "Office of the CEO" to serve the functions of the CEO until a permanent replacement for Mays was found. Clear Channel appointed Executive VP/CFO Tom Casey and General Counsel Robert Walls as co-CEO's keeping their regular responsibilities. Mays, who is still Chairman of the Clear Channel Board said ?On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express how delighted I am that Bob has accepted this position. He has been an invaluable contributor to Clear Channel Radio since last November, and he is the perfect person to take Clear Channel to the next level. I look forward to his leadership of our company.?
Pittman is more than an executive for radio's largest company. He's become a champion and cheerleader for the entire radio industry. His presentation at the Radio show last month was all about how strong the industry is, not just the marketing punch Clear Channel brings to the advertiser's table. His past history guarantees a packed room for any speech or presentation he gives and Pittman's pro-radio facts are detailed with charts, graphs and slides that has every one in the room taking notes.
The real question is how Pittman convinced his wife it was OK to take on more responsibility with Clear Channel. Last month he said, half joking (we think) she wanted him to do less, not more. Pittman told Radio Ink last night, "she saw how much fun I was having--and realized, as I have, that I am hard-wired for opportunities like this." So bring on the extra work.
In the Clear Channel press release Pittman said ?Over the past year, I?ve had the unique opportunity to look at the Clear Channel people and assets up close and have found myself increasingly drawn to the company, to the point where the chance to get even more deeply involved has just become irresistible. I know first-hand that we have great people and the assets that allow them to do great things. We are so much more than just transmitters and broadcast towers ? we leverage our local brands, personalities, strategic relationships and programming expertise to create unique experiences that forge real connections with consumers across our multiple platforms.?
Pittman also says he looks forward to continuing to work closely with John Hogan and the Clear Channel Radio team "to grow our company as we strengthen relationships with our consumers, advertisers, artists, labels and partners, nationally and locally.
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