Media Moves

The local media monitoring business owned by iHeartMedia has promoted two individuals from within while welcoming a third individual to the organization as its new Director of Product Management.

One month ago, Allen Media Group welcomed a Executive Vice President of Marketing for Digital Platforms and Content to its family. Now, the Byron Allen-led media company has hired a former Warner Media executive to take the role of VP of Advertising Sales for Global Syndication.

He's operated his own Twin Cities-based media branding and communications consultancy since March 2018 and has focused on that full-time since relocating from Denver in September 2020. Now, Jim Thomas is ready to join the team led by President/GM Bill Dallman at the market's TEGNA-owned NBC affiliate.

In August 2020, the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) acquired the National Radio Talent System (NRTS). This put the RAB in the producer's chair for the first time for NRTS's Kellar Radio Talent Institute broadcast radio training program at Appalachian State University. Some 19 students have successfully completed the program at the school's Boone, N.C., campus.

VSiN, the sports betting network acquired in March 2021 by DraftKings, has lured a veteran sports media executive to take the role of GM. With the appointment, VSiN says it will tap into this professional's media and sports betting expertise in an effort to further expand its audience, build its brand and solidify its position in the ever-growing sports bettor content creation and distribution business.

Sinclair Broadcast Group has promoted from within to fill the slot of SVP for its Growth Networks Group. This individual will continue to oversee the company’s trio of national multicast networks, and its digital and OTT streaming platform.

The Executive Director and CEO of the Media Rating Council (MRC), the accreditation organization that is presently working with Nielsen Audio on regaining compliance for many of its audience measurement services, has just decided to stick around for a few more years.

Until yesterday, he was the EVP of Sales for one of the industry's top cross-media local advertising companies. Now, he's taken the role of Chief Revenue Officer, responsible for all revenue generation tasks.

Some 24 nominees were chosen by the Hall's Nominating Committee, with input from the radio industry and listeners. Voting for the nominees begins June 22 and concludes July 8, with the top six vote-getters entering the Hall. Two additional inductees that will make up the eight-person induction class will be selected by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee.

The Burbank, Calif.-based multimedia company dedicated to serving U.S. Hispanics with Spanish-language video and audio content has promoted from within to fill the role of Chief Digital and Streaming Officer.

Allen Media Group, the company led by Byron Allen, is welcoming an individual who will help lead the company's senior management in merger and acquisition efforts. He'll also have a key role in other corporate strategic initiatives encompassing capital markets, private equity, and credit. 

Cumulus has hired a former TED Conferences executive as its new Senior VP of Digital Partnerships and Business Development. Specifically, she will lead Cumulus Podcast Network’s acquisition strategy and content development.

The Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) has announced new supporting partners for the NEXT Women program. The program provides resources and community for professional and personal development, empowering and preparing women for advancement at each stage of their careers.

Along Florida's First Coast is a cluster of radio stations that include Country WQIK, Adult R&B WSOL, and Jacksonville's "Home for Hip-Hop and R&B Flava," WJBT. The stations are owned by iHeartMedia, which has just selected a new VP of Sales to oversee the company's audio brands in Northeast Florida, which also reach the southeast tip of Georgia.

Byron Allen's Allen Media Group has chosen the person who will be responsible for developing and leading a business unit that seeks to distribute original programming airing on The Weather Channel in the international marketplace.