John Sykes Joins Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises
Gail Chiasson, North American Editor
John Sykes, music, entertainment and media executive, has been named to the newly created role of president, Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises, reporting directly to Bob Pittman, Clear Channel CEO.
In his new position, Sykes will use the 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 to create value for Clear Channel advertisers and key partners.
Sykes’ new group will work closely with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment CEO John Hogan and his team as well as Clear Channel Outdoor, both in the United States and internationally.
Sykes has played leadership roles at a number of major brands across the music, entertainment and media spectrum, including those of president of VH1; president of Network Development for MTV Networks; CEO of Infinity Broadcasting (now CBS Radio); president of Champion Entertainment; president of Chrysalis Recordsl; and as an agent at the Creative Artists Agency, He was also a core member of the original team that created MTV.
“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,” says Pittman. “In this role, he’s perfectly positioned to create new assets and increased value for our advertisers and strategic partners, using both our unparalleled reach and the creativity of our people at the local, national and international levels.”
After spending a combined 21 years at MTV Networks and Viacom, Sykes has been affiliated with the Pilot Group, a private equity and venture firm, since 2008. During his tenure, Sykes worked on the restructuring of MGM studios as well as digital properties including Playlist.com and Shazam Mobile, where he serves as a board member. He joined Clear Channel in a consultant role in early 2011.
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