Kelli Turner Assumes Leadership Role at Audacy
Kelli Turner has officially been appointed as the president and CEO of Audacy, succeeding David Field, who stepped down at the end of January. Turner had previously been fulfilling this position on an interim basis.
Leadership Changes Within Audacy
Alongside Turner’s appointment, Audacy announces significant changes within its executive team. Chris Oliviero has been named the new chief business officer, while Bob Philips will take on the role of chief revenue officer. This leadership restructuring comes in light of recent personnel shifts, including the departures of chief operating officer Susan Larkin, chief digital officer J.D. Crowley, chief marketing officer Paul Suchman, and executive vice president and general counsel Andrew Sutor. Earlier in the month, the company underwent layoffs that affected hundreds of employees.
In another noteworthy update, Mike Dash has been appointed as the new executive vice president and general counsel, succeeding Sutor, who will assist during the transition period.
Kelli Turner’s Background and Vision
Turner has been a member of the Audacy Board since September 2024 and brings extensive experience from her previous positions on the boards of companies in the advertising and music technology sectors, including DoubleVerify and Downtown Music Holdings. Most recently, she served as the managing director and chief financial officer at Sun Capital Partners and held the role of president and COO at SESAC Holdings, a leader in music licensing and rights management.
“It’s a privilege to lead Audacy at this exciting moment in its impressive history and the evolution of audio,” Turner stated. “This is one of the most dynamic businesses in media and entertainment, and I am looking forward to partnering with Chris Oliviero and all of our teams to build on our momentum with audiences, creators and advertisers. I’m especially excited by the appointments of Chris and Bob, who know Audacy’s businesses inside out and whose track records in management, programming and sales are second to none.”
Support from Audacy’s Board
Michael Del Nin, Chairman of Audacy, expressed his support for Turner’s permanent appointment: “On behalf of the Audacy board, we are delighted that Kelli Turner has agreed to take on the permanent President and CEO role and lead Audacy through its next phase of reinvention and growth. She is an exceptional media executive who, along with Chris Oliviero and the rest of the Audacy team, will ensure we continue to invest in high-quality content to engage our audiences and provide best-in-class solutions to our partners.”
New Executives’ Backgrounds
Chris Oliviero, prior to his new role, served as the market president for Audacy New York and boasts over 23 years of experience with CBS Radio. Meanwhile, Bob Philips previously was the president of Audacy networks and multi-market sales, having held the position of chief revenue officer for both CBS Radio and Entercom.