CBS Radio Names Mark O'Brien VP/Political Sales

Mark O'Brien

Mark O’Brien has been named Vice President, Political Sales, CBS RADIO, it was announced today by Andre Fernandez, President, CBS RADIO.  O’Brien will be based in Washington, D.C. and work with the division’s 117 stations nationwide.  The appointment is effective immediately.

In this newly created position reporting to Bob Philips, Senior Vice President and Director of Sales, CBS RADIO, O’Brien will have responsibility for identifying and developing new revenue opportunities for the division utilizing a multi-platform approach across broadcast, digital and mobile assets.  He will work directly with campaigns, advocacy groups and political strategists to ensure they are engaging with audiences through creative campaigns and targeted messaging.

“Mark brings to CBS RADIO an impressive record in sales and an extensive working relationship with the key decision makers in Washington, D.C.,” said Fernandez.  “He joins us at a critical time in the 2016 election cycle with radio becoming more prevalent as a core component of the political marketing spend.  As we continue to expand the opportunities for campaigns to reach voters, we are poised to capitalize on this exciting momentum like never before.”

O’Brien joins CBS RADIO from Cumulus where he had been Vice President and Market Manager for the company’s Washington, D.C. properties since 2013. He successfully led their healthcare sales and programming efforts, delivering significant revenue to the cluster through this new category.  He served in a similar role for iHeartMedia from 2012-13 in Jacksonville, Florida.

“I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work with CBS RADIO and offer political clients the best platforms in audio and digital plus the most extensive lineup of news and information brands,” said O’Brien.

O’Brien’s career in radio spans more than three decades, including experience at Westwood One as Vice President, Southeast Region Sales; Vice President, Radio Sales, Red Zebra Broadcasting; Vice President and General Manager, Bonneville International and AMFM Inc. in Washington, D.C.