The latest changes as part of Clear Channel Radio’s digital initiative are corporate, with the promotion of Brian Lakamp to the newly created post of president of Clear Channel Digital and the appointment Pablo Calamera as the section’s chief technology officer. The corporate moves were announced by John Hogan, Clear Channel Radio’s president and CEO, and are effective immediately.
Lakamp (pictured, left) previously was executive vice president of Digital Media at Clear Channel. His new responsibilities include oversight of iHeartRadio, Clear Channel’s free digital radio product, as well as the infrastructure, tools and social media integration for its local stations’ branded Internet properties and strategic input to Clear Channel’s other radio, media and entertainment properties.
Lakamp will report to Hogan and continue to work closely with Tom Poleman, Clear Channel’s president of National Programming Platforms, Michele Laven, executive vice president of Strategic Partnerships, and Charlie Rahilly, president of National Advertising Platforms.
“We are very proud of the New iHeartRadio, which has exceeded fans’ expectations since its launch on September 23rd,” Hogan said in a statement. “Brian and the Clear Channel Digital team developed a visionary product that has the potential to reshape our industry: The New iHeartRadio offers our listeners everything they want from a digital radio service in one place; delivers great value to our partners in the music industry with an exciting way for fans to discover new music; and provides our advertising and marketing partners with a powerful, national promotional platform.”
Calamera (pictured right) formerly was chief technology officer at Thumbplay, the digital music company Clear Channel Radio acquired in March and whose technology plays a key part in New iHeartRadio. He joined Thumbplay in March 2010, having been at Apple where he oversaw technology development for MobileMe, the cloud-based data-syncing product that is now part of iCloud.
Since November 2010, Clear Channel’s digital initiatives have been led by Bob Pittman, who served as chairman of Clear Channel’s Media and Entertainment Platforms. Pittman, who was recently named CEO of CC Media Holdings, will remain closely involved in the company’s digital strategy.
Related links:
http://www.facebook.com/iHeartRadio
