(CelebrityAccess News Service) – Nashville's 17,000-capacity AmSouth Amphitheater is poised to get a new name. The naming rights contract to the amphitheater (originally christened Starwood Amphitheater) by the bank bearing the same name, has expired and Clear Channel Entertainment, owners of the venue, are searching for a new corporate sponsor.
The outdoor music venue has been called the "AmSouth Amphitheater" since the bank bought the naming rights in 1999. CCE is currently talking to a couple of prospects. –by Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner.
CCE to Sit on ESTA Certification Council
(CelebrityAccess News Service) – Clear Channel Entertainment has accepted a seat on the Entertainment Services and Technology Association's (ESTA) new Certification Council. The Certification Council is the governing body which will manage the development and implementation of a new industry-wide certification program for entertainment technology technicians. Clear Channel Entertainment has named Steven Ehrenberg, director of Technical Supervision – Theatrical; and Alan DeZon, vice president, Operations, CCE Music / Los Angeles, as their representatives to the Council.
"The Certification Council is extremely well represented with members from associations, industry and organized labor," said Mike Wood, ESTA president. "An obvious empty seat at the table was reserved for a large employer and you couldn't have a better fit for that vacancy than Clear Channel Entertainment. With their broad based involvement in just about every facet of the industry they are a key player and we are delighted to have them on board."
The ESTA Certification Council will represent the diversity of the industry. Members will include key leaders in entertainment business, labor, facilities, associations, and academia. ESTA is in the process of extending invitations for Certification Council membership. IAAM (International Association of Assembly Managers), IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees), and USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology) have also accepted seats on the Council. The key areas of electrical skills and rigging skills have been identified for initial development in the ESTA Personnel Certification Program. –by Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
On The Net: www.esta.org
Townley Named President of Clear Channel Entertainment Television
(CelebrityAccess News Service) — Clear Channel Entertainment has named Joe Townley president of Clear Channel Entertainment (CCEnt) Television. In this new role, Townley will be responsible for negotiating programming and distribution rights with broadcast and cable networks, developing new business opportunities and forming strategic partnerships for the division. He will also manage the day-to-day programming and production of the company's television properties.
"Joe has a proven track record in producing quality programming as well as creating successful business partnerships," said CEO of CCEnt's National Sales and Marketing and Television divisions Bruce Eskowitz. "Under his guidance, the division has produced several award-winning films and was recently awarded two Spring 2003 CINE Golden Eagle Awards for documentaries produced for HBO and CBS."
Townley previously served as senior vice president of programming and production for Clear Channel Entertainment Television where he was responsible for managing the daily production and programming of television properties and negotiating distribution and programming rights with cable and broadcast networks. In addition to supervising many documentaries for A&E and The History Channel, Townley also led development for numerous cable and network series and concert events such as The Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational and the U.S. Open.
Prior to joining Clear Channel Entertainment, Townley was vice president of programming and executive producer with Madison Square Garden Network where he managed program scheduling, negotiated sports rights and partnerships, and developed and produced new programs. Townley began his television career as an associate producer of WUSA-TV, Washington, D.C.'s CBS affiliate. He was later promoted to station producer and director of sports. Townley won five local Emmy awards during the seven years he spent with the station. –by Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
