• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, June 8, 2009

In a major shakeup at Time Warner's Global Media Group, John Partilla has left to join Clear Channel Communications as executive vice president and president of global media sales, overseeing business development across the company's radio and outdoor media units. Time Warner named Mark D'Arcy to succeed him as head of the unit.

D'Arcy, whose title is president and chief creative officer, had been senior vice president and chief creative officer since joining the group in 2004 from creative director at Young & Rubicam in New York.

The departure of Partilla comes as Time Warner is spinning off its AOL unit, a key element of the kind of integrated packages that Time Warner created for marketers under his helm. The move also indicates that Clear Channel is eager to leverage its disparate array of assets in a similar vein to win market share and generate incremental advertising sales.

"We've driven a tremendous increase in the value of our radio and outdoor platforms to national brands over the past five years, and now is the time to accelerate and expand our attention to chief marketing officers and brand managers," stated Clear Channel CEO Mark Mays. "John is widely respected as a creative and 'intrepreneurial' leader with a deep understanding of client needs. His success in crafting differentiated solutions makes him the ideal strategic sales executive for us at this important time."

Clear Channel cited top brands such as Disney, Verizon, and Kellogg's as being among those that already utilize cross-platform and multi-property ad buys.

Prior to joining Time Warner to lead its Global Media Group, Partilla was president of Young & Rubicam and founder-CEO of Y&R's Brand Buzz unit.