Pandora announced on Wednesday that its Board of Directors has appointed Brian McAndrews as the company’s new CEO. He will replace outgoing CEO Joe Kennedy.
The company announced that Kennedy would be stepping down after about a decade in the role back in March, and Kennedy has remained with the company throughout the transition process.
McAndrews’s previous experience includes Madrona Venture Group, Microsoft and aQuantive (which he created after taking over Avenue A), as well as General Mills and ABC. He was Advertising Age’s first “Digital Executive of the Year”.
“We had very specific criteria for our new CEO, and we were very strategic about finding the right person — Brian is that person,” said Pandora founder and chief strategy officer Tim Westergren. “No one better understands the intersection of technology and advertising, which he clearly demonstrated during aQuantive’s meteoric rise. He has a recognized ability to set strategy, lead large teams and drive growth and innovation at great scale. He is also a natural cultural fit with Pandora. This is a great development for our company.”
“It is a great privilege to be asked to lead Pandora at this important moment in the company’s history,” said McAndrews. “By capturing the enthusiasm of more than 72 million monthly listeners, the management team, led by Joe and Tim, has made Pandora the clear internet radio leader and created a product that consumers love. I look forward to joining this great team to build on Pandora’s success for years to come.”
“It has been an honor and pleasure to work with our management team and employees for the past nine years to reinvent radio and put Pandora on a clear path toward continued long-term growth,” said Mr. Kennedy. “With a proven record of growing businesses and managing complex organizations, Brian is uniquely qualified to lead Pandora to the next level in our business. I’m confident that under his leadership, Pandora will continue to expand its business and deliver tremendous value to listeners, artists and advertisers.”
“The Board has been working closely with Joe and the management team to ensure we found a leader who could build on our success and take full advantage of the extraordinary opportunities that lie ahead for Pandora,” said Robert Kavner, Pandora’s Lead Independent Director. “On behalf of the entire board, we thank Joe for his tireless leadership. Joe is handing over a company that is strong and well-positioned for long-term growth.”
McAndrews’ role as CEO at Pandora is effective immediately.