iHeartMedia Names Jon Kurland Executive Vice President of Business Affairs and Chief Entertainment Counsel

Rhea-AI Summary

iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) has named Jon Kurland as Executive Vice President of Business Affairs and Chief Entertainment Counsel, effective immediately. Kurland will oversee strategic deals and relationships with podcast, music, and entertainment partners while leading Business Affairs across the company's divisions. He has over ten years of experience, previously serving as Senior Corporate Counsel at Amazon, focusing on podcasting and music licensing. Kurland’s appointment aims to enhance iHeartMedia's competitive position in the audio industry, where it claims significant reach, including being the largest podcast publisher. The company continues to capitalize on its extensive audience and advertising capabilities to innovate and expand its services.

Positive

• Jon Kurland's extensive experience in the audio industry is expected to enhance strategic partnerships and initiatives.
• iHeartMedia maintains a leading position in the U.S. audio market, reaching over 90% of Americans each month.
• The company is the largest podcast publisher, having more downloads than its next two competitors combined.

Negative

• None.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) announced today that Jon Kurland has been named Executive Vice President of Business Affairs and Chief Entertainment Counsel, effective today.

In his new role, Kurland will lead iHeartMedia’s Business Affairs team and focus on strategic deals and relationships with the company’s podcast, music, entertainment and new media partners. He will be responsible for business and legal affairs across the company’s divisions including multiplatform assets, digital audio and tentpole events. In addition, Kurland will oversee the company’s entertainment legal functions across podcasts, live events, and new media initiatives as well as its music licensing strategy, including maintaining and renewing all music industry licenses for iHeartRadio’s digital services and performance licenses through PRO agencies. He will be based in New York City and report to Jordan Fasbender, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of iHeartMedia, Inc.

“Jon’s vast experience and dealmaking skills in the audio industry will be incredibly valuable as we continue to innovate and expand our partnerships and opportunities that leverage and enhance iHeartMedia’s position as the leading audio company in the U.S.” said Fasbender.

“As the top audio company in America, iHeartMedia is uniquely positioned at the convergence of music, podcasting, live events, television and all manner of innovative digital media,” said Kurland. “I’m thrilled to leverage my legal and dealmaking expertise across a wide range of formats and platforms to unlock value for the company, while also empowering artists and creators and serving iHeartMedia’s millions of listeners.”

Kurland brings more than a decade of legal and entertainment industry experience to his new role. He joins iHeartMedia from Amazon, where he served as Senior Corporate Counsel in the Global Media & Entertainment group and primarily focused on podcasting, music licensing, original content initiatives and technology transactions for Amazon’s Audible. Prior to this, Kurland worked in private practice at entertainment firms Sloss Eckhouse and Carroll Guido & Groffman, where he represented music performing artists including Dave Matthews, Pearl Jam, Tiesto, Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato, and filmmakers including Justin Lin and Richard Linklater. He also regularly advised on media transactions with technology platforms including Netflix, Amazon, Facebook, and Hulu. Kurland was named to “The Hollywood Reporter” 35 Under 35 List in 2020 and serves on the board of PCI Media and the National Advisory Council for Creative Capital.

Kurland began his career as an associate at Schulte Roth & Zabel, where he represented hedge funds and private equity firms including in connection with media transactions. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Law School, Kurland currently teaches Media Law at the Columbia Journalism School.

About iHeartMedia

iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, reaching over 90% of Americans every month. iHeart’s broadcast radio assets alone have more consumer reach in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the reach of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabled reach of the largest digital only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined and has the number one social footprint among audio players, with seven times more followers than the next audio media brand, and the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230410005062/en/

Wendy Goldberg

Chief Communications Officer

WendyGoldberg@iheartmedia.com

(212) 377-1105

Source: iHeartMedia, Inc.

FAQ

Who is Jon Kurland and what is his new role at iHeartMedia?

Jon Kurland has been appointed as the Executive Vice President of Business Affairs and Chief Entertainment Counsel at iHeartMedia.

What are Jon Kurland's responsibilities at iHeartMedia?

Kurland will lead the Business Affairs team, focusing on strategic deals and legal affairs across podcasts, music, and entertainment partnerships.

How does iHeartMedia's audience reach compare to competitors?

iHeartMedia reaches over 90% of Americans monthly, more than any other media outlet, and has the largest podcast audience.

What prior experience does Jon Kurland bring to iHeartMedia?

Kurland brings over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry, previously working as Senior Corporate Counsel at Amazon.

What is the stock symbol for iHeartMedia?

iHeartMedia's stock symbol is IHRT, listed on NASDAQ.