John Sykes (American businessman)

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John Sykes
Schenectady, NY, USA
NationalityAmerican
Alma materSyracuse University
OccupationAmerican businessman
Known foriHeartMedia, MTV and VH1

John Sykes (born May 14, 1955) is an American entertainment executive[1] and the President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia[2] since 2011. As of January 2020, he is now also the Chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Sykes was a co-founder[3] of MTV[4] and throughout his career has held leadership positions including President, VH1;[5] President, Chrysalis Records – North America;[6] Executive Vice President, Artist Acquisitions, EMI Music Publishing; and Chairman and CEO, Infinity Broadcasting Corporation[7] (now Audacy).

Biography

Early life

Sykes was raised in

Sony Music Entertainment
).

MTV

John Sykes' successful career in media began in October 1980 when he was hired by

Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment Company (WASEC) as part of a development team that created the first-ever 24/7 cable music channel—MTV: Music Television.[4]

In August 1981, WASEC's cable music channel was launched under the name

MTV: Music Television. Sykes' first position was Director of Promotion and Artist Relations, in which he was responsible for creating MTV's well-known, larger-than-life fantasy on-air promotions, including MTV's "One Night Stand" with bands like the Rolling Stones and Journey, John Mellencamp's "Pink House" giveaway and MTV's "Lost Weekend with Van Halen
." These promotions helped to create and shape the MTV brand image, drawing millions of entries. Sykes also worked closely with artists, managers and record labels to bring content and partnerships to the video channel.

While at MTV, Sykes helped to create and co-executive produced the first-ever MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). He also held the role of Vice President, Programming and Productions, overseeing all studio operations, on-air promotion and long-form content on the network.

In 1986 Sykes,

Viacom Media Networks
). Before the buyout could be completed, MTV was sold to Viacom.

Music industry years

In July 1986, Sykes left MTV and became a music and film talent agent at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). While at the agency, he worked on new artist signings including John Mellencamp and Michael Jackson.

In August 1988, Sykes left CAA to become President of Champion Entertainment, a music management entertainment company based in New York City that represented top entertainment artists, including Mariah Carey, John Mellencamp, Hall & Oates, and Carly Simon.

In January 1990, he joined

EMI Publishing as the Executive Vice President of Artist Acquisitions. While at EMI, he signed the band Counting Crows, whose debut album sold 7 million copies. He also signed rock band Stone Temple Pilots
, whose debut album also sold 7 million copies in America. At EMI Sykes developed the first in-house artist strategic marketing department to work hand-in-hand with record companies to develop artists’ careers.

VH1

In April 1994 Sykes returned to MTV Networks/Viacom as President of the VH1 Cable Television Network.

VH1 Save The Music Foundation,[13] a non-profit organization dedicated to rebuilding music education programs in public schools across the country. VH1 Save The Music drew the support of President Bill Clinton, himself a student of music, and then-First Lady Hillary Clinton, who visited schools in support of the initiative and hosted VH1's 1999 "Concert of the Century" on the South Lawn at the White House.[14] To date, VH1 Save The Music has donated more than $50 million worth of music instruments to schools across the nation.[citation needed
]

Viacom

In 2002 Sykes was named by

) where he oversaw the company’s 185 broadcast radio stations. In January 2005 Sykes returned to MTV Networks as President of Network Development.

Pilot Group

In March 2008 Sykes left Viacom to join his MTV co-founder

Clear Channel
Media Holdings.

iHeartMedia

Sykes is President of iHeartMedia Entertainment Enterprises, where he is responsible for managing iHeart content partnerships across a broad range of media including television, podcasting, digital platforms and live events. In addition, he creates value for iHeartMedia advertisers and key partners. Sykes also guides the company's relationship with the music industry, as well as overseeing the creation and distribution of iHeart branded video content and marquee events with broadcast and streaming partners.

Sykes co-executive produces iHeartMedia's live music and television events including the

The CW Television Network, the iHeartCountry Festival, iHeartRadio Wango Tango, the iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina, the iHeartRadio Podcast Awards, and iHeartRadio
ALTer Ego. The 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards garnered more than 310 billion social media impressions.

Philanthropy

Sykes has been actively involved with fighting poverty in New York City through his work as a board member of the

George Foster Peabody Awards
.

In October 2001, following the attacks on the

In March 2020 following the initial outbreak of the

Covid-19 virus, Sykes co-executive produced, along with Tom Poleman and Joel Gallen, “FOX Presents: The iHeart Living Room Concert for America,[22]” hosted by Sir Elton John, which raised $15mm for charities, Feeding America
and The First Responders Children’s Foundation.

In May 2020, when New York City was adversely impacted by the

Covid-19 pandemic, Sykes executive produced, along with Alex Coletti, "Rise Up New York!,"[23] a virtual telethon event, that aired on all New York network television and radio affiliates, raising $125 million in one evening to help those most impacted. The event was hosted by Tina Fey and featured appearances and performances by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Robert DeNiro, the New York Giants, Mariah Carey, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Bette Midler, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sting, Barbra Streisand
and others.

Board Positions

John Sykes serves as the Chairman of the Board of the

Product (RED), an organization founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver
to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Awards and honorary degrees

Sykes was presented with an Honorary Doctorate degree and gave the commencement address at the

American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. In addition, in 2014 Sykes was awarded the T.J. Martell Foundation Lifetime Music Industry Achievement Award which was presented to him by longtime friend President Bill Clinton. In 2019 he was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame.[citation needed
]

References

  1. ^ Szalai, Georg (17 January 2012). "Clear Channel Hires Entertainment Veteran John Sykes to Push Beyond Radio". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  2. ^ Flint, Joe (17 January 2012). "Clear Channel taps industry veteran John Sykes for key position". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  3. ^ "MTV Founding Creators".
  4. ^ a b Anson, Robert Sam (November 2000). "Birth of an MTV Nation". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  5. ^ Elliott, Stuart (12 April 1995). "THE MEDIA BUSINESS: Advertising; MTV's two cable channels move to increase viewership". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  6. ^ Goldstein, Patrick (30 June 1991). "Label Presidents Need Thick Skin, but This Is Ridiculous". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  7. ^ Leeds, Jeff (16 March 2002). "Viacom Appoints Sykes Chief of Infinity Radio". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  8. ^ Sugiyama, Satoshi (19 April 2017). "Bandier program's move to Newhouse creates tension". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  9. Syracuse University Magazine
    . 11 (3): 40. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  10. ^ Strauss, Neil (17 March 1996). "Reliving the 70's, in Touch With the 90's (VH1's New SplitPersonality)". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  11. ^ Gunther, Marc (1 May 2000). "Behind the Music at VH1". CNNMoney. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  12. ^ a b Goetzl, David (8 October 2001). "VH1: John Sykes". Advertising Age. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  13. ^ Morales, Tatiana. "Save The Music 2002". CBS News. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  14. ^ Clinton, William Jefferson. "Remarks at the VH1 Concert of the Century". Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  15. ^ Fabrikant, Geraldine (16 March 2002). "Viacom Shifts an Insider to Be Chief of Infinity Radio Unit". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  16. ^ "Shazam Appoints MTV Co-Founder John Sykes to Board". Archived from the original on 26 April 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  17. ^ "Board of Directors". Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  18. ^ Catton, Pia (10 December 2012). "12-12-12: Behind the Scenes". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  19. ^ Hampp, Andrew (7 December 2012). "Clear Channel's John Sykes on 12-12-12 Concert: 'You Never Know What's Gonna Happen'". Billboard. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  20. ^ McKinley Jr., James (7 December 2012). "Rolling Stones Added to Lineup for Benefit Concert". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  21. ^ "Paul McCartney to rock Nirvana at 12-12-12 Sandy benefit concert: How to watch and give". 12 December 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  22. ^ "Watch the Full iHeart Living Room Concert For America With Elton John, Demi Lovato and More". Billboard. 2020-03-30. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  23. ^ "WATCH LIVE: Tina Fey Hosts 'Rise Up New York' Coronavirus Benefit With All-Star Performances". NBC New York. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  24. ^ Pike, Brenda. "Herb Alpert, Patti Austin, and VH1's John Sykes Honored at Berklee's 2000 Graduation". Retrieved 31 May 2013.

External links