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Larry Shannon, publisher of RadioDailyNews.com said, "RDN solicited feedback from its Web site visitors and subscribers, and determined from a variety of sources that both Mr. Karmazin and Mr. Panero made significant impacts on the broadcasting industry in 2004 through their efforts at Infinity and Sirius, and XM, respectively. We expect that they will continue to have considerable influence on the broadcasting industry throughout 2005."
Shannon continued, "While satellite radio today represents a relatively small share of today's entertainment and news programming choices, the radio we knew, worked in and listened to just twenty years ago no longer exists today because of the many and diverse programming avenues that are now available. Radio has always thrived and improved itself through keen competition. Satellite radio today is a major force in that competition for listenership. Many say that AM and FM radio have grown complacent and no longer fill the needs of the listening public. If that is true, then satellite radio has fueled the flames of current and future competition through its unique delivery and variety of content. There's a lot riding on the shoulders of Karmazin and Panero. But, then again, the continuing acceptance of satellite radio by the listening public should keep all competitive AM and FM radio people on their toes!"
Consumers don't have just kilocycles and megacycles from which to choose their entertainment and news delivery. Today, there is a wide assortment of other methods of programming distribution which include the MP3 player, the Internet - with its downloading and streaming capabilities - the iPod and similar portable players and recorders, satellite radio and TV, as well as other technologically advanced listening and viewing devices.
The "Radio Person of the Year" award from RadioDailyNews.com is not just a recognition, it is a challenge in 2005 to both Mr. Karmazin and Mr. Panero, as well as the programmers, managers and performers at their companies. Indeed, it is a challenge to all involved in the broadcasting industry, specifically AM and FM radio owners, managers, programmers and performers, to rise to the occasion and challenge themselves to deliver to the listener the best entertainment, information and news programming possible.
In addition to the certificates of recognition, both Mr. Karmazin and Mr. Panero will receive small gifts from various radio organizations, including XM, Sirius and ABC Radio Networks.
Others who were seriously considered for the RadioDailyNews.com "Radio Person of the Year" recognition included (in alphabetical order), Lee Abrams, Neal Boortz, Al Franken, Mike Gallagher, Sean Hannity, John Hogan, Joel Hollander, Cathy Hughes, Don Imus, Tom Joyner, Kidd Kraddick, Alfred Liggins, III; Rush Limbaugh, Eric Logan, Mark Mays, Opie and Anthony, Bill O'Reilly, Michael Powell, James M. Robinson, Jeff Smulyan and Howard Stern.
(End of News Release)
Biographies of the Recipients
(Listed in alphabetical order)
Mel Karmazin
Mel Karmazin is Chief Executive Officer of
SIRIUS Satellite Radio, the premium satellite radio provider
known for delivering the most compelling commercial-free
music and sports programming to cars and homes across the
country, where he oversees all aspects of the company’s
operations from its New York City corporate headquarters.
Previously, Karmazin served as Chief Executive Officer of
519 LLC, a private investment firm. He was also President
and CEO of Viacom from May 2000 until June 2004.
Karmazin served on the Viacom board of directors and was
responsible for overseeing all of Viacom’s operations.
Viacom Inc. is one of the world’s largest entertainment and
media companies and a leader in the production, promotion,
and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, and music.
The company’s properties include CBS Television, MTV
Networks, BET, Showtime Networks, Infinity, Viacom Outdoor,
Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, Paramount Parks,
UPN Blockbuster, Simon & Schuster, and theatrical exhibition
operations in North America and abroad.
Prior to that, he served as President and Chief Executive
Officer of CBS Corporation from January 1999 – May 2000.
Before becoming Chief Executive Officer, he was President
and Chief Operating Officer of CBS Corporation from April
1998 to January 1999. He joined CBS in January 1997 as
Chairman and Chief executive officer of CBS Radio through a
merger of Westinghouse/CBS and Infinity Broadcasting. He had
served as Infinity’s President and Chief Executive Officer
from 1981 until Infinity became a wholly owned subsidiary of
Viacom in February 2001. He was named Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of CBS Station Group (Radio and
Television) in May 1997. Prior to Infinity, Karmazin spent
10 years with Metromedia.
Karmazin also served on the board of directors of Westwood
One, Blockbuster, and the New York Stock Exchange, and is
vice chairman of the board of trustees of The Museum of
Television & Radio. He was inducted into the Broadcasting
Hall of Fame, and has received the National Association of
Broadcasters National Radio Award and the IRTS Gold Medal
Award.
Hugh Panero
Hugh Panero is the President and Chief
Executive Officer of XM Satellite Radio. Mr. Panero has
served as a member of the Board of Directors and as
President and Chief Executive Officer since June 1998. Mr.
Panero has over 16 years experience building and managing
entertainment distribution services. Most recently, from
1993 to 1998, Mr. Panero served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Request TV, a national pay-per-view
network owned by Liberty Media and Twentieth Century Fox.
Prior to his employment with Request TV, Mr. Panero spent
ten years with Time Warner Cable where he was part of the
team which built the cable systems serving parts of Queens
and Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Panero held various positions
with Time Warner Cable, including VP, Marketing.
Biographies sources: Sirius and XM Web sites