New York, NY – October 27, 2011 – Clear Channel Radio, the leading media company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any radio or television company, today announced the following appointments to its new National Programming Platforms division:  Dennis Clark, Vice President, Talent Development; Guy Zapoleon, Vice President, Digital Music Programming; Zena Burns, Vice President, Digital Programming Platforms; Darren Pfeffer, Vice President, Music & Entertainment Marketing and Alissa Pollack, Executive Vice President, Integrated Music Marketing.  All positions are effective immediately. 

 

Tom Poleman, who was recently appointed President of National Programming Platforms, leads the division, which focuses on developing on-air and digital programming content as well as live events for Clear Channel’s 850 stations. The division also includes Clear Channel’s Programming Operations Center and the company’s highly effective Premium Choice network, which imports and exports programming innovation and excellence from region to region, market to market and station to station.  These efforts are led by Darren Davis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of National Programming Platforms. 

 

Guy Zapoleon joins Clear Channel as the Vice President of Digital Music Programming.  He will contribute to the programming of the New iHeartRadio with a major focus on the product’s more than 80 digital-only stations and will collaborate with the Clear Channel Digital team to combine the company’s custom radio algorithm with the expertise of its radio programmers.  Zapoleon is regarded as one of the preeminent radio consultants in the business and has been widely recognized as one of the industry’s foremost minds for more than 30 years.  He began his career in Los Angeles at Oldies KRTH as the station’s first music director.  His next steps included programming stations, including KRQQ in Tucson and B94 in Pittsburgh.   He then joined Nationwide Communications at KZZP in Phoenix and soon became the National Program Director.   Zapoleon was also responsible for creating America’s First Hot AC at Mix 96.5, KHMX Houston.   In 1992, he founded Zapoleon Media Strategies and quickly became one of the most respected names in consulting, helping to launch great radio stations, such as KTU in New York.  Since then Zapoleon has worked with legendary stations across the world to develop innovative programming tools and strategies that have been recognized throughout the industry. Zapoleon will be based out of Boston. 

 

Dennis Clark’s new position as Vice President of Talent Development reflects the company’s continued commitment to investing in and growing personalities.   He will oversee talent development, working directly with key personalities, while creating a company-wide strategy to develop future talent. He also will contribute improvement initiatives across the company.  Clark started his radio career at KIIS FM Los Angeles in 1986 as a Staff Producer for “Rick Dees in the Morning” and “Rick Dees' Weekly Top 40.”  In 1995, he joined The Research Group where he became a Strategic Research Consultant based in Europe.  In 1999, he launched Dennis Clark Consulting, specializing in talent development and personality training within the U.S., as well as broadcast groups in Europe, Asia and Australia.  Clark returned to KIIS FM Los Angeles in 2005 as Executive Producer for the “On Air With Ryan Seacrest,” morning show, which in 2008 became a nationally syndicated daily radio show that airs in the U.S. and internationally. 

 

In her new role as Vice President of Digital Programming Platforms Zena Burns will oversee national digital programming content and social content integration, including editorial, artist interviews, syndicated features, artist integration programs and exclusive iHeartRadio Music Festival content.  Since 2006, Burns has served Clear Channel Radio New York as the Online Program Director, where she was responsible for content, social and digital development for Z100, Q104.3, 103.5 KTU, 106.7 Lite fm and Power 105.1.  She was also the first digital Program Director in the country.   Prior to joining Clear Channel, Burns was the Entertainment Director for TEEN People Magazine and the Managing Editor of TeenPeople.com at Time Inc.  Burns will remain based out of New York. 

 

Darren Pfeffer, who has been with Clear Channel for more than 15 years, takes on a new role as Vice President of Music & Entertainment Marketing, where he will be responsible for company-wide promotions and events, such as the iHeartRadio Music Festival, and will create best practices and synergies around local station concerts, such as Z100’s Jingle Ball in New York. Pfeffer and Poleman were the Executive Producers for the recent inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival, a two-day music event hosted by Ryan Seacrest that marked the biggest live concert festival in radio history.  Pfeffer previously served Clear Channel Radio New York as the Director of Marketing for its five radio stations.  He began working at Clear Channel in 1995 as an intern in the promotions department at WHTZ/ Z100 New York.  Pfeffer will remain based out of New York.

 

Alissa Pollack, currently Executive Vice President of Integrated Music Marketing at Mediabase, will expand her role to include National Programming Platforms.  Pollack will work more closely with the executive Programming team on linking Clear Channel’s unique capabilities with artist and advertiser relationships.  Pollack will also retain her current responsibility of overseeing label business for Mediabase, Rate the Music and M-score.  She will continue to contribute to Clear Channel’s commitment to maintain and create key label, artist and advertiser relationships with artist promotion and advertising opportunities using integrated music marketing.  In 1991, Pollack began her radio career as an intern at Z100 in New York, which led her to become a producer for the nationally syndicated call-in advice show “Love Phones.”  In 1997, Pollack joined Premiere Radio as a Regional Marketing Director and quickly ascended through the ranks. Pollack will remain based out of New York.        

 

Other appointments within the National Programming Platforms division include:

 

Marissa Morris, Manager, Artist Relations and Promotions.  Morris will coordinate artist integration programs, promotions and events.  Melissa Webb, Senior Director.  Webb will be responsible for high-level project management and analysis across the National Programming Platforms department

“Clear Channel already has unmatched scale and promotional power.  Our competitive advantage is strengthened by our mission to be everywhere our listeners are with the products and services they want and expect,” said Tom Poleman. “Now, I’m proud to say that we’ve assembled an equally unmatched group of talent to lead our new National Programming Platforms division. This division will enable us to be even more relevant and effective for our audiences, partners and advertisers, and build our national scale and reach by putting together products, events and relationships that nobody else can.”