The day after implementing widespread cutbacks in the programming departments of its small and medium market radio stations, Clear Channel announced the first insight into the company’s plan for the future with the unveiling of a new National Programming Platforms Team that will focus on, “developing on-air and digital programming content as well as live events for Clear Channel’s 850 stations.”
Led by Tom Poleman, who was recently given the title President of National Programming Platforms, the team includes a number of well-known radio and music industry people including: Dennis Clark, Vice President, Talent Development; Guy Zapoleon, Vice President, Digital Music Programming; Zena Burns, Vice President, Digital Programming Platforms; Darren Pfeffer, Vice President, Music & Entertainment Marketing and Alissa Pollack, Executive Vice President, Integrated Music Marketing.
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“This division will enable us to be even more relevant and effective for our audiences, partners and advertisers, and build our national scale and reach by putting together products, events and relationships that nobody else can,” says Poleman.
Among other things, the team will oversee the company’s Premium Choice Network of national and regional syndicated programming, which is expected to be used to fill in gaps in programming schedules created by yesterday’s layoffs.
The announcement included short descriptions of each team member’s duties:
Zapoleon, who joins the company from his own successful consultancy, will contribute to programming on the iHeartRadio platform with a focus on the 80 digital-only stations currently available to listeners.
Clark, formerly with KIIS and a consultant, will be tasked with maintaining “the company’s continued commitment to investing in and growing personalities.” He will take on both, “working directly with key personalities,” and “creating a company-wide strategy to develop future talent.”
Burns will be responsible for digital and social content integration including, “editorial, artist interviews, syndicated features, artist integration programs and exclusive iHeartRadio Music Festival content.”
Pfeffer, a 15-year company veteran, will focus on promotions and events like the recent the iHeartRadio Music Festival.
Pollack expands from her current role as Executive Vice President of Integrated Music Marketing at Mediabase to work on, “linking Clear Channel’s unique capabilities with artist and advertiser relationships.”
Clear Channel also named two people who will be supporting the new team, Marissa Morris will be Manager of Artist Relations and Promotions and Melissa Webb takes the title of Senior Director and will focus on project management for the group.