NEW YORK – Radio giant Clear Channel has named music and entertainment industry veteran John Sykes, a former president of VH-1, to the newly created role of president, Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises, in which he will help build new business opportunities, including in the TV and live events fields.
He will report to CEO Bob Pittman who he knows through his past work – from their early days together on the launch team of MTV to their recent work at Pittman’s Pilot Group.
Sykes “will use the unparalleled assets of Clear Channel – including its 238 million monthly broadcast radio listeners, the 141 million people it reaches with Outdoor in the United States and the 374 million internationally, as well as the more than 75 million monthly listening hours for its digital properties – to develop new businesses for the company across a range of media, including television and live events, as well as create value for Clear Channel advertisers and key partners,” the company said.
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In addition to his work at VH-1, Sykes previously was president of network development for MTV Networks, CEO of Infinity Broadcasting, now CBS Radio, president of Chrysalis Records and an agent at CAA.
“John’s experience and relationships in so many sectors of the entertainment and media business make him the perfect choice to lead this new initiative,” said Pittman. “He has one of the most diverse entertainment careers – from being on the original team that created MTV to re-launching VH-1, managing major music artists, running a significant radio group and even being a Hollywood agent – as well as a track record of working with talent and entertainment properties in innovative new ways.”
Said Sykes: “Clear Channel has a unique relationship with our audiences, who have a deep loyalty to our brands and trust us to bring them innovative and creative media and entertainment experiences.”
Sykes more recently has been affiliated with the Pilot Group, a private equity and venture firm co-founded by Pittman, since 2008. He joined Clear Channel in a consultant role in early 2011.
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