Bennettt Zier Name CEO of Air America Media
NEW YORK – Air America Media (www.airamerica.com) has named Bennett Zier, a veteran media industry executive and entrepreneur, as its chief executive officer. In this New York-based role, Zier will help expand and grow the Air America brand by spearheading on-air, online and video initiatives. Zier will lead the executive team, providing the execution of strategic goals and objectives.
“Bennett brings a wealth of successful experience to this role at Air America Media, ranging from launching and growing stations to running broadcast companies in Washington D.C., New York and Boston,” said Charlie Kireker, chairman of Air America Media. “After 30 years in the broadcasting industry, he is a respected influencer, creator and operator of media businesses. Since we recruited him to our Board in April, Bennett has demonstrated the leadership skills necessary to build Air America into a significant business while working with president Mark Green and the rest of our management team.”
“With the current political environment so active, it’s a great time for Air America Media to grow as an entertaining media company covering politics and news,” said Zier. “I’m eager to begin rolling out with the team at Air America a number of exciting initiatives that we have planned to enhance the progressive, multimedia experience offered to our listeners, viewers and readers.”
Prior to Air America Media, Zier was a founding member of Umansky, Wyatt, Zier (UWZ), a Washington D.C.-based management and marketing consulting firm, where he has worked with several consumer brands, including Air America, to assist them in moving traditional media into new media. He will remain a director of the company.
Before UWZ, Zier was the founding CEO of Red Zebra Broadcasting, which is the home of the Washington Redskins Radio Network. For more than ten years prior to that, Bennett was executive vice president at Clear Channel Radio based in Washington D.C., overseeing what became a cluster of 32 stations in the mid-Atlantic region. He directed enterprises that included entertainment, sports and outdoor operations, after he had successfully merged seven radio groups in Washington D.C. into what ultimately became Clear Channel Communications. Zier also spent over fourteen years building creative sales programs and initiatives at CBS Radio in New York and Boston; after starting his career at Greater Media in Long Island, N.Y., where he worked in sales and as a news reporter.
A Long Island native, Bennett graduated from Adelphi University with a degree in Business and Communications. He has received numerous “Radio Ink Best Managers in Radio Awards” and Clear Channel “Executive of the Year Award,” among others. Bennett runs marathons to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He has also been recognized for his fundraising and charitable efforts by the National Kidney Foundation and the Potomac Ridge Hospital Group.
About Air America Media
Air America Media runs a national progressive talk radio network and web business, representing a smart, independent political voice with a sense of humor. The network can be heard nationwide on 60 affiliates as well as on XM Satellite Radio and streamed on the Internet at www.airamerica.com.
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