Par Ridder CCO’s Chicago Branch President

Gail Chiasson, North American Editor

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. has appointed Par Ridder as branch president of its Chicago Division with responsibility for Clear Channel Outdoor’s more than 11,000 displays in the Chicago area.

Ridder reports to Rod Firestone, midwest group president.

“Par brings strong leadership skills and customer focus to this role which will be key to the division’s continued and future success,” says Firestone. “He is a proven manager and strategic thinker who is not afraid of taking on new challenges.”

“The outdoor industry has a growth profile that is hard to beat,” says Ridder. “Advertisers have discovered the power of today’s outdoor platforms, the clarity that new outdoor research is adding to media buying, and outdoor’s ability to leverage digital media – all adding to our tremendous opportunity to grow this business.”

Ridder comes from the newspaper business where he has served as publisher of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, St Paul Pioneer Press and San Luis Obispo (CA) Tribune. Ridder has a track record of growing revenue by helping customers grow theirs through effective advertising programs.

He began his career selling advertising at The Washington Post. He also worked for the Akron Beacon Journal and the Contra Costa Times in various sales and management roles.

Clear Channel Outdoor operates digital displays and networks in most of its divisions.


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