A key individual at iHeartMedia who has had a leadership role over its broadcast radio brands is shifting to a new role linked to social media influencers — and digital monetization.
Greg Ashlock — CEO of the Multi-Platform Group at iHeartMedia — has been called on to take on the new role.
The news was shared Thursday by an internal memo from CEO Bob Pittman and COO/CFO Rich Bressler, who will be assuming Ashlock’s multiplatform role on an interim basis.
“As we look at the advertising marketplace, influencers are the highest growth new category for advertising spend, expected to grow to $26 billion next year in the U.S.,” Bressler and Pittman said. “As a talent-first company built around the most important influencers in the world, iHeart sits at the center of that universe – and this enables us to take full advantage of this opportunity.”
They said Ashlock, “has a strong passion for our influencer position” and approached Pittman and Bressler to lead iHeart’s efforts in the space — “focusing specifically on creating innovative cross-platform partnerships between our influencers, marketers and brands.”
Regarding Ashlock’s move away from Radio, the leaders said, “As much as we hate to lose Greg as the CEO of the Multi-Platform Group, we are certain he is the best choice to lead this important new growth area for our company.”
As such, Ashlock is already transitioning to a new fully-dedicated role as President of the iHeart Influencer Network, reporting directly to Bressler and Pittman.
Bressler will retain his COO and CFO roles while serving as interim CEO of the Multi-Platform Group.
The iHeart Multiplatform Group accounts for nearly 75% of company revenue. It includes the Markets Group with more than 860 radio stations in 160 markets, the live and virtual events business, and the National Sales organization. This group also oversees Premiere Networks, the Total Traffic and Weather Network, and BIN: Black Information Network.
