Jon Zellner

Balancer
DISC Type : S

President | Programming Operations and Digital Music at iHeartMedia

New York, New York, United States

Overview

Jon Zellner is a 40-year media industry veteran and the President of Programming Operations and Digital Music at iHeartMedia. An Ohio University graduate, he specializes in brand development, talent coaching, and driving ratings and revenue growth. Colleagues describe him as enthusiastic, creative, and a brilliant innovator.

His passion for the radio industry began at age eight and has been the driving force of his entire career. Outside of his professional focus, he is a vocal supporter of philanthropic causes, particularly those that benefit childrens health and well-being, like the Childrens Miracle Network.

He decided on his career in radio at age eight after meeting legendary DJ Wolfman Jack.

Personality Overview

Formal Mannered

Process-Oriented

Diplomatic

They like following the process even if it takes time to reach any conclusion.  They are courteous and respectful but practical. They are willing to make long-term decisions.

Topics They Care About

Future of Radio
Emphasizes radio's role in creating human connection, contrasting it with the limitations of algorithmic music discovery.
AI in Broadcasting
Views artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance and support on-air talent and programming, not as a replacement for human creativity.
Talent Development
His role involves directly coaching and mentoring programmers and on-air talent to foster growth within the iHeartMedia network.

Media Appearances

Brandwidth On Demand • Radio's Relentless Reinvention - Guest: Jon Zellner, iHeartMedia President | Programming Operations. Featured in Fountain.fm

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iHeartMedia's Jon Zellner Promoted to President of Programming. Featured in Billboard

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iHeartMedia Promotes Jon Zellner to President of Programming Operations and Digital Music. Featured in iHeartMedia Press

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Work History

7-2009
President | Programming Operations and Digital Music at iHeartMedia
3-2005 - 7-2009
Executive Vice President | Programming at SiriusXM
2-2004 - 3-2005
Vice President | CHR/Hot AC Programming at CBS Radio
2-1996 - 2-2004
Vice President | CHR Programming at CBS Radio
7-1994 - 2-1996
Operations Manager/Program Director at Wheeling Pittsburgh Communications

Education

BSC from Ohio University

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 37 Location : New York, New York, United States Job Level : N/A Designation : President | Programming Operations and Digital Music at iHeartMedia
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Insights For Selling To Jon

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Be personal and polite and slightly formal
  • Be very observant about how they perceive the risk in the decision
  • Tell them about the outcome and results before talking about the input

DONT's

  • Don’t push them for a no, take the lack of yes as a no after a certain point
  • Do not sound very transactional, make extra effort to be genuinely interested
  • Don’t try to be overly social in the early interactions

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Jon is

  • What matters the most to them is low risk, adoption by others and proven case studies.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Jon

  • They never refuse directly, they push out the decisions or just go quiet.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Jon move?

  • They can be some of the slowest decision makers.
  • Can Jon take some risk or not?

  • They have no risk-appetite and prefer to take safe decisions.

You And Jon

Personality Compatibility


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