Clear Channel Communications Inc. Tuesday said it hired the head of AOL's music and radio division to run its online division, a move aimed at bolstering the Web presence of the leading U.S. owner of radio stations.
"I'll be tapping into the local relationships and brands of Clear Channel's 1,200 stations to bring people into the online phase," said Evan Harrison, who will begin his new position at Clear Channel on Dec. 1.
In an interview, Harrison said he plans to use many of the same concepts and content platforms that made AOL Music successful, including exclusive premieres of songs and videos.
About 200 Clear Channel stations currently stream their programming onto the Web. Harrison said he will use the Web to boost national brand identities for several formats like KISS, a hit-tunes station in many markets.
Harrison is credited with boosting visitors to AOL Music since joining the Time Warner Inc. online service in 2001.
