• by November 16, 2004

Evan Harrison, the talented head of America Online's music and radio division, is leaving the online media company to run Clear Channel Communications' online radio unit, the Wall Street Journal reports today.

Harrison is credited with helping build AOL Music's successful programming lineup, introducing features like "First Listen" and "First View," and with introducing once unknown artists like Avril Lavigne and Michelle Branch to online music fans.

Harrison was a visible presence at most, if not all of the AOL Broadband live acts, and was a genial and natural cross-pollinator, circulating between AOL execs, label reps, artists, and producers. Not so long ago, the Minute observed him conducting a TV interview about AOL Music on a local network affiliate's weekend newscast. His understated manner helped make the interview less a commercial for AOL, and more about music and how the Web is a great avenue for artists. Clearly, the guy loves music.

One of the best things AOL Music has done, is work with record labels to "break" fledgling artists on the Web - their singles, music videos, and live performances. The artists are able to build a fan base on the Web during a time when there are simply less music videos making it to MTV, and where getting radio play can be damn near impossible unless you're Madonna.

It's a strategy that's working. Advertisers like it. And music fans love it. In fact, 13.3 million unique visitors came to AOL Music in September, according to comScore Media Metrix. That number has reached as high as 18 million, though Yahoo! has quietly, but steadily moved into AOL's terrain, introducing features that are very similar to AOL's.

AOL Music has been one of AOL's crown jewels. The Minute has acknowledged this before, and much of the credit goes to a team of former BMG execs including Kevin Conroy, now executive vice president-COO, of AOL Broadband, although with the latest AOL reorganization, the Minute isn't sure; Bill Wilson, general manager of AOL Entertainment; Scott Schiller, senior vice president for interactive marketing-AOL Entertainment; and Harrison. Wilson, the Journal reports, will take on Harrison's job at least temporarily.