Radio And Outdoor Industry’s First Upfront

Gail Chiasson, North American Editor

Clear Channel is planning the radio and outdoor industry’s first Upfront, which will kick off Monday (July 12, 2010) in New York and run through mid-August, visiting Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago.

The event will be similar to the TV upfronts – people will be able to reserve space early, and make volume buys for additional value. The UpFront will cover the full Clear Channel platform: radio, digital and outdoor.

It will take place in New York over two weeks, moving on to Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles in early August. At least a dozen advertising and media agencies are already planning meetings.

While this is the first time that the radio/outdoor industry has had an upfront, Clear Channel Radio had one on its own in New York several years ago.

Along with having talent at the presentations, Clear Channel will also officially unveil its new Clear Channel Create council, comprised of creative professionals from across the U.S., coming together on behalf of national marketers in an effort to help them develop creative concepts and content platforms to further leverage the wealth of Clear Channel Communications’ audiences.

“We’re bringing together the top experts in developing creative that drives engagement across our industry-leading radio, outdoor and digital platforms,” says John Partilla, executive vice-president, and president of global media sales at Clear Channel. “This is a powerful complement to the creative resources inside our leading agency partners.”

Clear Channel Create’ will generate recommendations for current and prospective clients. Initially chaired by Bob Potesky, senior vice-president and executive creative director for Clear Channel global media sales, charter members include: Jim Cook, president, creative services group, Clear Channel Radio; Bob Case, senior vice-president, creative services group, Clear Channel Radio; Josh Klenert, vice-president/creative director, Clear Channel Radio Digital; Hosea Belcher, senior vice-president, marketing and communications, Premiere Radio Networks; Tony Alwin, senior vice-president, creative, marketing and public relations, Clear Channel Outdoor; Mike McGraw, vice-president of spectacular development, Clear Channel Outdoor.

“This group has already produced outstanding recommendations for a number of leading brands like VISA, GEICO and NBC that have been enthusiastically received over the past several months,” says Partilla.

“Formalizing this unique resource will increase the regularity with which we can bring this outstanding level of service to current and prospective clients.”

To tap into the Clear Channel Create resource, advertisers can contact Potesky at 212.424.6464.


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