Virtually meet John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia and MTV Co-Founder!
Sykes is President of iHeartMedia Entertainment Enterprises, where he is responsible for managing new business partnerships and platforms across a broad range of media including television, digital platforms and live events. In addition, he creates value and content partnerships for iHeartMedia advertisers and key partners. Sykes also guides the company's relationship with Ryan Seacrest Productions and key iHeartRadio talent, the creation and distribution of television programming and other entertainment content.
Sykes co-produces iHeartMedia’s annual iHeartRadio Music Festival, the record-setting, two-day, national music event that is broadcast live on iHeartMedia radio stations across the country, aired on the CW Television Network and streamed live to millions on Yahoo. He also co-executive produces national television events including the iHeartRadio Country Festival on NBC, iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina on Telemundo, iHeartRadio Jingle Ball on the CW and the iHeartRadio Music Awards, which airs on Turner Broadcasting. The 2015 iHeartRadio Music Awards garnered more than 14 billion social media impressions.
Prior to joining iHeartMedia Sykes built and operated a number of leading entertainment brands. He was a core member of the original team that created and launched MTV in 1981. He spent 21 years at Viacom where he held senior roles including President of VH1 from 1994-2002 (which he rebranded and lead to record audience ratings and profits), President of Network Development for MTV Networks and Chairman and CEO of Infinity Broadcasting (now CBS Radio). In 2008, Sykes joined his MTV co-founder Bob Pittman at the Pilot Group, a private equity and venture firm, where he worked on the restructuring of MGM studios and digital properties including Playlist.com and Shazam Mobile.
John Sykes is a member of The Board of Directors of Madison Square Garden Entertainment, Madison Square Garden networks, The Robin Hood Foundation and Product (RED). John Sykes was the recipient of the 1999 ACLU SoCal Bill of Rights Award.
Please note that the ACLU of Southern California is a 501(c)4 organization and bids are not tax deductible.