Established & Led by Seasoned Entertainment and Media Executives
Greenwich, CT – February 25, 2014 – Townsquare Media Group announced today the formation of IGNITE, an interactive studio that creates compelling and unique experiences for advertisers across multiple platforms at scale. IGNITE’s core capabilities include branded content creation, original video production, ad tech innovation, social marketing, event activation, talent relations and SEO.
Recently tapped to lead IGNITE are Sun Sachs, Senior Vice President Product, Design & Engineering and Jared Willig, Senior Vice President, Digital Strategy & Solutions. Both formerly of AOL and hired by TSM in 2010, Mr. Sachs and Mr. Willig bring a track record of innovation, creativity and leadership. During their tenures at AOL, Mr. Sachs oversaw the creative direction and user experience of interactive products across all of AOL’s web properties, while Mr. Willig managed AOL’s music and entertainment properties, including Moviefone, AOL Music, AOL Sessions and other industry-leading digital content programs.
New to Townsquare Media and the IGNITE team are senior strategists, marketers, designers and engineers from the media, technology and content space, including:
• Ina Burke, Executive Producer, Original Content– most recently Executive Producer and Content Strategist at Digitas NY where she oversaw programs in fashion, film, and music for American Express including UNSTAGED, the world’s largest global streaming concert series.
•Amie Green, Senior Director of Custom Solutions – previously led social strategy for several major brands at Digitas NY. Ms. Green also spent four years as the Digital Brand Director for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.
•Noel Grey, Vice President of Artist Partnerships – formerly led Music Industry Relations for Beats Music as well as held executive roles at Ropeadope Records, Verve Music Group, and the Knitting Factory.
“In this ultra-competitive, always-evolving media landscape, it’s crucial that we provide our advertising partners with ‘gold standard’ expertise, creativity, and innovation. The formation of IGNITE enables us to do just that,” commented Bill Wilson, Executive Vice President and Chief Content & Digital Officer. “With strong leaders in place and the recent hiring of several more key players, we’re positioning Townsquare Media as a premier solutions-focused partner for marketers.”
IGNITE, working closely with TSM’s sales team lead by Andi Poch, brings creative and innovative opportunities to brand partners by layering its capabilities on top of Townsquare Media Group’s diversified offering of 312 radio stations, 500+ live events, almost 300 YouTube channels, and a premium digital portfolio ranked #1 in music with more than 77 MM unique visitors, as reported by ComScore.
About Townsquare Media Group
Townsquare Media Group creates and distributes original and motivating media experiences that connect communities seamlessly with content they love, people they trust, products they want, and things that matter. We attract, engage, and activate audiences on a local and national basis through our unique mix of market-leading marquee entertainment properties. Our local business owns and operates 312 radio stations, over 326 companion websites, an e-commerce business (SeizeTheDeal.com), and approximately 500 annual live events in 66 small and medium-sized markets across the country. Our national business owns and operates leading music and entertainment-focused digital properties including TasteofCountry.com, Loudwire.com, PopCrush.com and ScreenCrush.com, several leading multi-day music festivals, including Mountain Jam and the Taste of Country Music Festival; a digital advertising portfolio which reaches over 60 million unique visitors monthly; and a marketing services business which provides a turnkey web presence for small and medium-sized businesses. We also operate Townsquare Cares, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping our troops and their families. Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management are the Company’s largest shareholder. www.townsquaremediagroup.com
Contact:
Carolyn Chauncey
Carolyn.chauncey@townsquaremedia.com
203.413.1460
Melissa Avanzato
Melissa.avanzato@townsquaremedia.com
347.661.8797