Alfredo Alonso

Alfredo Alonso is a Cuban-born media executive who works as Senior Vice President for Clear Channel Radio.In a two year period Clear Channel Radio converted 25 stations to become a leading Spanish language radio provider. Alonso coined and established the first ever bilingual U.S. format Hurban which was introduced on Mega 101 in Houston, Texas. [cite news |author=Clear Channel |title=Clear Channel Radio Creates Bilingual ``Hurban/CHR" Format for Hispanic Youth. |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/population-demographics/demographic-groups/5547760-1.html |work=Business Wire |date=November 15 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-06] [cite news |author=Jeff Leeds |title=Clear Channel Is Expanding In Spanish Radio |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9903E5D71639F934A2575AC0A9629C8B63 |work=The New York Times |date=September 17 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-06] [cite news |title='Hurban' spreads across the States |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2005/08/09/Business/_Hurban__spreads_acro.shtml |work=St. Petersburg Times |publisher=AP |date=August 9 2005 |accessdate=2008-03-06] Prior to joining Clear Channel Radio in 2004, Alonso served as President and CEO of Mega Communications. He was a partner with billionaire George Lindemann from 1996 to 2004. [cite news |author=Phyllis Furman |title=SPANISH RADIO KINGPIN TUNING IN TO CITY |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/money/2000/08/14/2000-08-14_spanish_radio_kingpin_tuning.html |work=New York Daily News |date=August 14 2000 |accessdate=2008-03-06] [cite news |author=Frank Ahrens |title=Univision, Hispanic Broadcasting Merge |work=The Washington Post |date=June 13 2002 |pages=E01] . Prior to founding Mega Communications he worked for Spanish Broadcasting System as Vice President/Market Manager for WSKQ-FM, WPAT-FM and WSKQ-AM in New York from 1993 to 1996. During his tenure with SBS Alonso re-formatted WSKQ from KQ 97.9 to Mega 97.9 a move that helped establish WSKQ into a powerhouse radio station. In a short period the station moved into the top position in ratings and earning. [cite news |author=Tom Lowry |title=BIGGER IS BETTER SBS MOVING AGGRESSIVELY IN N.Y. MARKET |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/money/1995/11/20/1995-11-20_bigger_is_better__sbs_moving.html |work=New York Daily News |date=November 20 1995 |accessdate=2008-03-18] Alonso consulted Spanish Broadcasting System's launch of KLAX-FM in Los Angeles in 1992 before joining the company full time. KLAX-FM became the first Spanish language radio station in Los Angeles to reach the number one ranking in audience share.

Alonso's career in Spanish media started in 1989 when he established a weekly Spanish trade publication Radio y Musica. The company also operated an annual Spanish industry convention Radio Y Musica Convention. [http://www.lunakafe.com/moon5/usca5x.php.] The annual event was held in Los Angeles from 1990 to 1997 and in San Juan, Puerto Rico from 1992 to 1995. Numerous Latino recording artists performed during the annual events including pop star Marc Anthony. [ [http://biography.jrank.org/pages/3504/Anthony-Marc-1969-Singer-Songwriter-Actor.html Marc Anthony: 1969—: Singer, songwriter, actor] . Jrank.org. Retrieved on 2008-03-19.] Alonso sold the company in 2000 to Radio & Records.

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