Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announces that Connections, a group within the company’s National Sales, Marketing and Partnerships division that focuses on expanding alliances with national advertisers and partners, will be organized into three dedicated regions. Laura Hagen will join the division as SVP of Connections for the East Region, Kristina Lutz will join as SVP of Connections for the Central Region and Adrienne Pabst has been named SVP of Connections for the West Region. Hagen, Lutz and Pabst will report to Greg Glenday, President of Connections for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment.

These appointments and the new organization within the Connections group will provide dedicated focus and resources to help leverage Clear Channel’s unparalleled assets for advertisers in each region. The new organization of the Connections group will align with Clear Channel’s unified National Sales, Marketing and Partnerships strategy led by Tim Castelli, which allows the division to pursue national multi-platform marketing initiatives that meet advertisers’ need to reach – and engage – consumers in powerful new ways. The National Sales, Marketing and Partnerships division ensures the close integration of all Clear Channel sales platforms, including Digital Sales, Strategic Partnerships, Connections, Radio Sales and Premiere Networks Sales. 

"Expanding the Connections team and rooting our executives in key regions throughout the country further enriches Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s ability to develop innovative and effective marketing programs that connect national advertising partners with our more than 239 million monthly listeners across the country," said Glenday. "Clear Channel’s unmatched national reach and ability to activate locally creates the most compelling and unique platform for advertisers and partners." 

Hagen will bring more than 15 years of media sales experience to her new role as SVP of Connections East and will work with VPs Chris Hassan and Khartoon Ohan to spear-head new innovative campaigns for large advertisers based on the East Coast. She will join CCM+E from NBC News’ Advertising Sales division where she most recently served as General Manager of Brand Solutions. She will join the company beginning February 11, and will be based out of New York City.

Effective immediately, Lutz will become the SVP for the new Connections Central Region office located in Chicago and will oversee all large advertisers and partners located in the region. Lutz, a 21-year media sales and advertising veteran, joins Clear Channel from Starcom USA where she most recently served as SVP and Activation Director, leading the effort to turn media investments and content partnerships into transformative and immersive consumer experiences for clients such as Bank of America.

Newly appointed Gayle O'Carroll and Chris Baskin will join CCM+E as VPs of Connections for the Central Region and will report to Lutz. 

Also announced today, Britt Levine will join Erin Collier as VP of Connections West. Levine was promoted from within Clear Channel and previously served as Sales Manager. Levine will report directly to Adrienne Pabst, SVP of Connections West.