Carruthers is the new CEO of Clear Channel

Out of home major Clear Channel Communications India has announced the appointment of its new chief executive officer, Robin Carruthers, with immediate effect. Carruthers was earlier chief operating officer. Meanwhile, the chairman and managing director of Clear Channel India, Adille Sumariwalla, has resigned with the intention of taking a break to pursue other interests.

He says, “I shall be taking up my new assignment after the Games. At this point, I cannot speak about it, but it is exciting and challenging and not in the area of media alone. But I would prefer to talk about it at the time of taking it up.”

Commenting on Carruthers’ appointment as CEO, Mark Thewlis, regional president, Asia Pacific, Clear Channel Outdoor, says, “Robin’s commitment to the success of our business and his outstanding industry knowledge made him an obvious choice for this role.”

Carruthers started his 12 year career at Grey Worldwide (formerly known as Trikaya Grey) in 1996 as a media planner. He has worked in various outdoor specialist agencies, starting with Primesite and then moving onto MOMS, OAP and RMG David, before joining Clear Channel India.

He was instrumental in setting up MOMS and OAP and has essayed roles ranging from that of a regional profit centre head in the early days to larger roles within companies such as MOMS and OAP. In 2006, Carruthers won the Pinnacle Club Award, which recognises contributions made across Clear Channel divisions in different countries in the sales and marketing function.

For the record, Clear Channel Outdoor is one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising companies, with close to one million displays in 49 countries across five continents. It also operates airport, rail, taxi and mall advertising businesses worldwide.