Audacy has promoted Jeff Sottolano to Chief Programming Officer along with signing him a multi-year contract extension.
The company has not had a Chief Programming Officer since the exit of Pat Paxton in 2021 at which time Sottolano rose to EVP/Head of Programming. He has spent his entire career at CBS Radio and Audacy starting as an intern in 2001. He would eventually program WZNE Rochester, and WYSP and WIP Philadelphia before becoming National Director of Programming for CBS Radio in 2014 and later VP/Programming in 2015 and SVP/Programming for Entercom following its CBS Radio acquisition in 2018.
In the new role, Sottolano will be responsible for the content strategy and performance of Audacy’s local brands in all formats across broadcast, streaming, and podcast distribution platforms and oversee the programming leadership team, talent and content creators nationwide. Sottolano will also work closely with the Company’s product and technology teams as it enhances its creator tools and delivers new digital experiences for consumers and advertisers. He will also collaborate with its podcast leadership team on the development and launch of new titles.
Sottolano commented, “I consider myself so fortunate to work with our programmers, talent, anchors, reporters and producers who, together, build incredible brands, entertain and inform, and make a difference in the lives of millions of consumers every day. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to do so at Audacy and believe that our best days are ahead of us. I am grateful to Susan Larkin, David Field, and so many others for the privilege of doing what I do and calling it work.”
Audacy Chief Operating Officer Susan Larkin stated, “Jeff has a track record of success. He and our programming and brand leaders have executed market-winning content strategies and initiatives that deliver for our listeners and advertisers. Jeff’s leadership has been instrumental in elevating our performance across all platforms, and this promotion underscores our confidence in his ability to continue growing our best-in-class brand portfolio.”
