• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, October 14, 2011

Clear Channel Radio has named Brian Lakamp the president of Clear Channel Digital, its online and mobile division.  In this role, Lakamp will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of CCR’s digital strategy, including iHeartRadio and the infrastructure, tools and social media integration for branded Internet properties maintained by CCR’s local radio stations.

Lakamp had previously served as executive vice president for digital media at Premiere Radio Networks.

CCR also announced that Pablo Calamera has been named chief technology officer for Clear Channel Digital. Calamera formerly led the team that developed the digital music technology for Thumbplay, which was acquired by CCR in March and subsequently integrated with the iHeartRadio platform.

The move positioned the New iHeartRadio as a free alternative to Pandora by offering music on demand, custom stations and new listening suggestions, based on listener preferences. It goes to well over 800 live broadcast and digital-only radio stations from 150 cities around the U.S.

The appointments come not long after CCR parent company Clear Channel Communications named Bob Pittman, a founder of MTV and past president of AOL, to the position of CEO. Pittman was said to have played a pivotal role in the development of iHeartRadio, including its integration with Thumbplay.

The iHeartRadio platform is clearly at the center of CCR’s digital strategy, with a flurry of deals to expand its reach and content offerings.

Last week CCR announced a deal to bring the online and mobile service to Microsoft's Xbox 360 gaming network, making it available for free to members of Xbox Live Gold, Xbox 360's online entertainment service. It will be the only digital radio service on Xbox Live.

CCR also recently revealed that it is adding Spanish-language programming from Univision Radio to the New iHeartRadio platform.