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CLARKE BROWN: Clarke is a wonderful person and a fine
broadcaster as you will read below. As I recall Clarke’s
father was in the media business in Atlanta. If not, Clarke
certainly learned about the world of media from someone who
knew a lot about it.
I first met Clarke when he was hired by Gerry Blum to be a
sales person at WQXI AM-FM in Atlanta. Gerry assured me that
Clarke was a super winner. And did he perform!!! I recall a
memo I wrote to him in 1967 that stated something like
this…”Clarke…congratulations on the new business you have
brought to the stations in such a short time!!” You see, as
I recall it Clarke wrote more business in his first month
than any other sales person in the history of WQXI…and that
is saying something!!! I know, because I WAS THERE!! It was
clear that Clarke was on his way to great things in radio.
If you have never met Clarke, and you will be attending the
NAB Radio Show in San Diego (October 6th thru 8th) be
certain to attend a luncheon in his honor. He will be
presented with this years NAB National Radio Award which he
absolutely deserves. .
His outstanding career looks like this:
1. Clarke is currently President-Radio Division for
Jefferson Pilot. He oversees stations in Miami, Charlotte,
San Diego, Denver and Atlanta.
2. Clarke was appointed general manager of JP’s KSON AM-FM
in 1985…he took those San Diego stations from nowhere to a
really big somewhere.
3. In 1989 Clarke was placed in charge of the JP Denver
radio properties with more good results.
4. In 1990 Clarke was brought back to JP’s Atlanta stations
WQXI AM-FM to fix them.
5. Then in 1991 he moved into his current President’s
position. . He has done a great job of leading the JP
stations.
And, while doing all of the above Clarke has found time to
serve on many boards including the National Academy of
Recording Arts and Sciences (the Grammy Award group) and the
Radio Advertising Bureau.
As I recall before he got into radio he earned a law degree.
Hey, he is an attorney you would WANT to hire for sure!!!
Recently, Clarke became a Board member for Ed Christian’s
SAGA broadcast company. I also read that Clarke may retire
from Jefferson Pilot in a year or two….. a loss to our
industry.
Clarke and his wife, Debbi…and my wife Pat, and I …have had
a dinner or two in Atlanta, and I hope we can have more!!!!
Congratulations, Clarke!!! A great
radio career from a great guy!!!
e-mail Kent
kent@kentburkhart.com
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