Alfredo Alonso
Encyclopedia
Alfredo Alonso is a Cuba
n-born media executive. He has held numerous senior management positions in Spanish-language media publishing, radio, television and event management. He is known as an innovator of new products to reach the U.S. Hispanic media marketplace.
. The company in addition operated an annual Spanish industry convention Radio Y Musica Convention
. The annual event was held in Los Angeles from 1990 to 1997 and expanded to San Juan, Puerto Rico
from 1992 to 1995. Radio y Musica became known as the Spanish language Billboard. The publication was the first to create weekly charts by Spanish music formats. The conventions became a must attend for Spanish radio and label executives. Numerous Spanish language recording artists performed during the annual events including pop star Marc Anthony
. Alonso sold the company in 2000 to Radio & Records. In 2002 Radio y Musica ceased operations.
In a two year period Clear Channel Radio converted 25 stations to become a leading Spanish language
radio provider in the US. Alonso coined and established the first ever bilingual U.S. format Hurban
which was introduced on Mega 101 in Houston, Texas
. He also established Spanish Hits La Preciosa Network which is heard in over ten U.S. markets.
, WPAT-FM
and WSKQ-AM New York
from April 1993 to July 1996. Alonso re-formatted WSKQ from KQ 97.9 to Mega 97.9 a move that helped establish WSKQ into a powerhouse radio station. In a short period the station moved into a top position in ratings and revenues. The overall improvement in operations allowed SBS to purchase WPAT-93.1 FM New York which became a Spanish station under his management. Alonso consulted Spanish Broadcasting System's launch of KLAX-FM
in Los Angeles
known as La X 97.9 in 1992 before joining the company full time. KLAX-FM became the first Spanish language radio station in Los Angeles to reach the number one ranking in Arbitron audience share. Alonso left SBS in 1996 to form his own Spanish radio company.
and his son Adam Lindemann from 1998 to 2004.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n-born media executive. He has held numerous senior management positions in Spanish-language media publishing, radio, television and event management. He is known as an innovator of new products to reach the U.S. Hispanic media marketplace.
Radio y Musica
Alonso's career in Spanish-language media started in 1989 when he established a weekly Spanish trade publication Radio y Musica based in Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
. The company in addition operated an annual Spanish industry convention Radio Y Musica Convention
Radio y Musica Convention
Radio y Musica was an annual Latin music event hosted in Los Angeles and Puerto Rico from 1991 to 1997. Many Latin artists made their debut during these annual events including Marc Anthony, Shakira, Alejandro Fernández, Olga Tañón and Graciela Beltrán. The convention was owned by Alfredo Alonso...
. The annual event was held in Los Angeles from 1990 to 1997 and expanded to San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
from 1992 to 1995. Radio y Musica became known as the Spanish language Billboard. The publication was the first to create weekly charts by Spanish music formats. The conventions became a must attend for Spanish radio and label executives. Numerous Spanish language recording artists performed during the annual events including pop star Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony is an American singer-songwriter, actor and producer. Anthony is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. The two-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy–winner has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. He is best known for his Latin salsa numbers and ballads...
. Alonso sold the company in 2000 to Radio & Records. In 2002 Radio y Musica ceased operations.
Clear Channel
Since 2004 Alonso has served as Senior Vice President for Clear Channel Radio.In a two year period Clear Channel Radio converted 25 stations to become a leading Spanish language
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
radio provider in the US. Alonso coined and established the first ever bilingual U.S. format Hurban
Hurban
Hurban is a relatively new radio programming format from radio chain giant Clear Channel Communications and Senior VP Alfredo Alonso. Hurban radio stations target young Hispanics in the United States, primarily consisting of reggaeton, hip-hop, and dance music...
which was introduced on Mega 101 in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. He also established Spanish Hits La Preciosa Network which is heard in over ten U.S. markets.
Spanish Broadcasting System
Prior to Mega Communications Alonso worked for Spanish Broadcasting System serving as Vice President/Market Manager of WSKQ-FMWSKQ-FM
WSKQ-FM, known on-air as Mega 97.9, is a radio station in New York City owned by Spanish Broadcasting System . Currently located at 97.9 FM, the station has a tropical format, which consists of such musical styles as Bachata, salsa, merengue, and Reggaeton.-History:The 97.9 FM facility's heritage...
, WPAT-FM
WPAT-FM
WPAT-FM, known on-air as "93.1 Amor", is a radio station with a Spanish-language Rhythmic AC format. Located on 93.1 FM, the station, which is licensed to Paterson, New Jersey, serves the New York City Metropolitan area.-History:...
and WSKQ-AM New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
from April 1993 to July 1996. Alonso re-formatted WSKQ from KQ 97.9 to Mega 97.9 a move that helped establish WSKQ into a powerhouse radio station. In a short period the station moved into a top position in ratings and revenues. The overall improvement in operations allowed SBS to purchase WPAT-93.1 FM New York which became a Spanish station under his management. Alonso consulted Spanish Broadcasting System's launch of KLAX-FM
KLAX-FM
KLAX-FM is an American commercial radio station located in East Los Angeles, California, broadcasting to the Greater Los Angeles area. KLAX-FM airs a regional Mexican music format branded as "La Raza".-History:...
in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
known as La X 97.9 in 1992 before joining the company full time. KLAX-FM became the first Spanish language radio station in Los Angeles to reach the number one ranking in Arbitron audience share. Alonso left SBS in 1996 to form his own Spanish radio company.
Mega Broadcasting
In August 1996 Alonso formed Mega Broadcasting. The company established Spanish-language radio stations in Philadelphia, Washington DC, Hartford and Tampa. As principal owner he served as President and CEO until November 1998. The company was renamed Mega Communications in 1998 after selling a majority stake to New York-based Lindemann Capital. Alonso remained a limited partner, President and CEO of the new company until April 2002 when Alonso transferred to Vice Chairman. In 2004 he resigned the position after selling his remaining ownership to Adam Lindemann. During his tenure with Mega Communications Alonso was a partner with billionaire businessmen George LindemannGeorge Lindemann
George Lindemann is an American businessman and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Union, a pipeline company. He also owns 19 Spanish-language radio stations.-Early life:George Lindemann was born in 1936 in New York City...
and his son Adam Lindemann from 1998 to 2004.