Zellner Gets a Programming Promotion at iHeart

He’s a 13-year company veteran and known across the radio industry as one of its top programming minds. Now, Jon Zellner has been rewarded with a promotion at iHeartMedia.

Zellner has been named President of Programming Operations and Digital Music for iHeartRadio, effective immediately. He reports to Tom Poleman, iHeartMedia’s Chief Programming Officer.

In his new role, Zellner will manage the programming, content and strategy for iHeartRadio’s digital channels and playlists while continuing to oversee iHeartMedia’s programming operations.

This puts Zellner in a key role, “ensuring that iHeart’s 850 local radio station brands in 150 markets are best utilizing the company’s unparalleled national resources.”

In addition to running programming and strategy for the iHeartMedia Custom and Format Center stations, Zellner will continue to lead iHeart’s Commercial Production Center, the National Imaging Center, the Audio Distribution Center, on-air partner and client integration and the Technical and Broadcast Operations teams to expand programming technology and provide key support to iHeartMedia’s national team of programmers.

“Jon’s leadership in providing the delivery of our national resources to our markets for their use at the local level has been invaluable to our company,” Poleman said. “We are excited that he’ll be taking on an even larger role in our company-wide programming initiatives and expand and grow our digital channels and playlists on the iHeartRadio app.”

Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeart Digital Group, added, “For years, Jon has made innumerable contributions to our company’s success, and has demonstrated exceptional leadership in both day-to-day operations and forward-thinking innovation when we needed it most. I’m thrilled to see him step into a new role and bring his skills and expertise to help us continue to build and grow during an exciting time in the industry. He has an incredible range of experience and adding more facets of the business to his purview puts us in an even better position to expand our reach and scale.”

Prior to joining iHeart as SVP/Programming in 2009, Zellner spent five years as Executive Vice President of Programming for Sirius XM, where he oversaw 100+ music and entertainment channels and helped grow the subscriber base from one million to over 20 million. His background also includes nine years as Vice President of CHR and Hot AC programming for CBS Radio in Boston and Kansas City and he served as a Program Director, Operations Manager and on-air talent in many other markets across the U.S.

Zellber began his career as Assistant Music Director and Midday Host at WNCI-FM 97.9 and WXGT “92X” in Columbus, Ohio, then-owned by Great Trails Broadcasting, in March 1988.

Zellner has been recognized by Radio Ink as Operations Manager and Program Director of the Year. He has served on the Board of Governors for the Children’s Miracle Network and the faculty for the Conclave, the HD Radio Leadership Team and the National Talent Radio System.

Zellner commented, “I’m excited about where the company is headed and continue to be inspired by the talented people I have the privilege of working with every day. The synergistic opportunities between iHeart’s national programming for broadcast and our digital programming and playlists on the iHeartRadio app are extraordinary. I value being part of this great team and look forward to seeing all we can accomplish together in the future.”