Dastur Named iHM SVP/Programming Integration

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, December 18, 2014

iHeartMedia announced today that Sharon Dastur will join its National Programming Platforms team as Senior Vice President of Programming Integration, effective Jan. 5. Dastur most recently served as Program Director for Z100/New York and Nick Radio, Nickelodeon's exclusive digital only station on iHeartRadio.

In her newly created position, Dastur will create cutting-edge programs that leverage the company's assets for brands and partners and will assist with the program execution with artist, managers and labels. In this role, she will develop cross promotion partnerships between label groups and agencies, and in addition she will work with in-market programmers, lending her knowledge and ability to help refine current programs and initiatives. She will also work together with the Artist Relations team on booking and talent negotiations for all iHeartRadio national events and industry events.

"I've had the pleasure of working with Sharon for more than 20 years. She's a professional that excels with every new challenge. When we look at where we're taking iHeartMedia, Sharon's experience and skills are perfectly suited for this role," said Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms.

"Sharon is a top line talent with great programming, event and artist expertise. Her programming and station knowledge will be an incredible asset across our entire organization nationwide," said Clay Hunnicutt, Executive Vice President of National Programming Platforms, iHeartMedia.

"When Tom and Clay first approached me about this incredible new position, and knowing the direction where iHeartMedia is going, it seemed like the perfect next step in my career," said Dastur. "After more than 18 years at the world-famous Z100, I am extremely proud of all of the accomplishments the team has achieved. From guiding the station to its highest ratings and revenue, to recently coming off of our biggest and most successful Z100 Jingle Ball, it will be exciting to take those things we've successfully built locally over the years and integrate them into the national platform and throughout organization across the country. I'm thrilled to be joining this incredible NPP team and getting started on this next chapter in my life!"

Dastur is one of iHeartMedia' premiere programming talents. Under her leadership, Z100 became the No. 1 billing station, leading in all the target demographics 18-34 and 18-49, and was named the "2014 Station of the Year" at the Worldwide Radio Industry Awards. Dastur also previously served as National CHR Brand Coordinator, advising CHR stations across the country with her programming expertise and mentoring other Program Directors throughout the company to develop and strengthen their stations' branding, strategy, music and imaging. She has also been recognized by the industry with honors including being named one of the top "Women in Music" by Billboard, "Most Influential Women in Radio" for the past five years and as well as Best Program Director in America for four consecutive years by Radio Ink and honored as the "2014 Women of Influence" by the TJ Martell Foundation.