FRANK TO CMT

The veteran music exec has joined CMT as SVP Music Strategy, it was announced today by network EVP/GM Brian Philips.

Frank will oversee CMT’s Music and Talent division, and all of the network’s on-air and digital music initiatives across multiple platforms, including films, games, touring and other program enterprise businesses, starting in August.

Frank comes to CMT from Yahoo! Music where he was VP Music Programming and Label Relations, overseeing the company’s music programming as well as working closely with record labels and managers to implement artist promotions. He was integral in securing music premieres and performance exclusives from such artists as Madonna, Faith Hill, Big & Rich, Toby Keith, Eminem, Nelly, Linkin Park, 50 Cent, Coldplay and more.

Commented Philips: “Jay is a pioneer, among the first to see the potential for music on what literally became the biggest music website in the world. He’s an experienced dealmaker in the fastest-breaking field of entertainment—digital music. He finds and breaks new artists, has a natural flair for promotion, and will make sure music saturates every CMT platform. Jay belongs in the MTVN Music/Logo Group family, with his own gold-plated spittoon.”

Added Frank: "Working with the largest country music network and website in the world is an enormous opportunity to help take country music to new, unforeseen heights. The combination of the amazing talent on the entire CMT team, alongside the format's growth potential, creates an exciting opportunity I can't wait to begin. By the way, is this considered a Red State or a Blue State?"

Prior to joining Yahoo! Music, Jay was Senior Music Director at The Box Music Network, and also acted as marketing and A&R for Ignition Records.

Frank sits on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Country Music. He is also a Member of NARAS, the CRS Agenda Committee, Leadership Music Digital Summit and the Communist Party.