Sean Compton
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| Sean Compton | |
 SEAN COMPTON SPEAKING AT NAB 2007
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| Born | March 6, 1974 Indianapolis, Indiana |
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Sean Compton is an American broadcasting executive. He currently serves as Sr. Vice President of Programming and Entertainment for Tribune Company. Compton oversees programming for 40 Tribune & Local TV television stations and cable channel WGN America. On May 26, 2008 Superstation WGN became WGN America. Compton told the Chicago Tribune it was the beginning of major changes that are ahead for the cable channel.
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[edit] Leaving Clear Channel
Compton surprised the radio industry on April 1st, 2008 when he announced his resignation after 16 years with Clear Channel. What first appeared to be a typical Compton joke pulled on April Fools Day, the resignation came as a surprise given Compton's public enthusiasm for the radio business and his high ranking profile inside Clear Channel. Compton attempted to keep his resignation quiet for several days however was spotted at Chicago Cubs opening day with Tribune top brass. That news leaked to the industry trades as well as the Wall Street Journal and the print media trumped the later scheduled Tribune release. In the same week three other high ranking Clear Channel executives left Clear Channel for positions with Tribune.
[edit] Career at Jacor & Clear Channel
In the early 90's Compton began working in the corporate programming department for Jacor Communications using the title "Not a Vice President" as a joke arising from the number of employees who were VPs. Compton became VP of Programming in the fall of 1998 when Jacor Commmunications was acquired by Clear Channel. In that role he has been responsible for creating and overseeing a variety of national radio programs including American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest, "Costas on the Radio" hosted by Bob Costas, a daily morning show hosted by Whoopi Goldberg and radio features with Donald Trump, Ty Pennington and Maria Bartiromo. Compton has also landed Clear Channel some of its highest profile programming from suppliers outside the company. He successfully negotiated a long term partnership with Fox News Radio heard on over 100 Clear Channel stations and signed multi-year company-wide deals with variety of outside entities, most notably Sean Hannity.
[edit] Early Years
Born in Indianapolis and raised in Connersville Indiana, Sean's interest in broadcasting dates back to his grade school memories of being captivated by television and talk radio. Listening to former Crosley Broadcasting's flagship, 700WLW in Cincinnati, instilled a desire to be involved in radio. Local television also had an impact on him. Watching WTTV-TV4, Sarkes Tarzian's highly regarded independent station licensed to Bloomington, Indiana, he was impressed by the impact of local creative programming. Sean's first desire was to get into the Television business. Sean was responsible for video taping High School sporting events for review purposes and also spent time editing video of various school activities. But it was radio that provided his first opportunity for employment when in high school he worked at a variety of small Indiana stations including WCNB in Connersville and WQLK in Richmond as well as the well known 50,000 watt Group W station in Fort Wayne, WOWO. Compton's first programming position came at the age of 19 when he was hired as program director of a former top 40 legend, WSAI Radio in Cincinnati.
[edit] Extras
In September 2007, Compton was listed in Aircheck Magazine as one of the "top twenty must know executives".
Compton is mentioned in Donald Trump's 2005 book Think like a Billionaire
In an October 2006 interview with R&R magazine, Compton credited Tribune CEO Randy Michaels for being his mentor.
Compton applied and was rejected from Mass Media (Radio/Television) class in High School.
Compton is known for being professionally outgoing and candid.
Compton is married and has 2 children.
[edit] The Tribune/LocalTV management Stations
[edit] Radio station
| AM Station |
| DMA# | Market | Station | Owned Since | Current Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3. | Chicago | WGN-720 | 1924 | Talk |
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