iHeartMedia has named Tom Poleman Chief Programming Officer. Under a new long-term agreement, Poleman will also remain President of iHeartMedia’s National Programming Group. He’ll continue to report to CEO Bob Pittman. Poleman was named President of iHeartMedia’s National Programming Group in August 2011.
In addition to co-producing iHeartMedia’s major national marquee events including the iHeartRadio Music Festival, the iHeartRadio Music Awards, the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, the iHeartCountry Festival, iHeart80s Party, the iHeartSummer ’17 Weekend by AT&T, and iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina, Poleman and his team will continue to oversee programming and music strategy, talent development, and artist relations for iHeartMedia’s more than 850 radio stations. Those stations reach more than a quarter of a billion listeners a month, and provide key support for the company’s national team of programmers across the country.
Poleman will also continue to head up iHeartMedia’s music discovery and emerging artist initiatives, including the Artist Integration Program and the On the Verge program, which have championed artists like Sam Smith, Maren Morris, Fifth Harmony, and James Bay, as well as Sam Hunt, Bleachers, and Lukas Graham, early in their careers.
Pittman said, “No one understands the intricate relationship between programming, on-air talent, artist relationships, and live music events like Tom Poleman. He has always been a key part of the team that has shaped iHeartMedia into a multiplatform company. Tom’s unique vision has turned our National Programing Group into what it is today, an innovative nationwide network of the most talented people working as a team to bring constant innovation to our company and our industry. I’m thrilled that he will remain a key contributor in our company’s continued evolution and success.”
