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\n\tThe Academy of Country Music<\/a> has named Andy Schuon<\/a>, a media veteran whose path took him from program director at L.A.\u2019s KROQ in its glory days to top leadership roles at MTV, Warner Records, Pressplay and many other companies, as its new CEO.<\/p>\n \n\tHis first day will be Sept. 1. Schuon, who has not worked out of Nashville in his previous roles, will operate from the org\u2019s Music City office.<\/p>\n \n\tSchuon succeeds Damon Whiteside, who stepped down on June 30 after announcing his intention to leave prior to this year\u2019s ACM Awards<\/a>. Whiteside is set to continue with the organization in a transitional emeritus role through the end of 2026. He had led the Academy since January 2020. ZRG Partners led the executive search along with the ACM board in the interim.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cAndy Schuon\u2019s remarkable career reflects a lifelong commitment to innovation, creativity, and serving artists,\u201d Cris Lacy, chair of the ACM board, said in a statement. \u201cThe ACM Board of Directors are excited to partner with Andy as we continue to strengthen the Academy\u2019s impact, expand its reach, and create even greater value for our members and the country music community.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tSaid Schuon; \u201cThe most rewarding moments of my career have come from building for the future and embracing innovation while honoring the artists and creative communities that make music so powerful. Throughout every chapter, from radio and television to streaming, digital media and the music business, the constant has been the transformative power of music to bring people together. \u2026 The organization has a remarkable legacy of celebrating the artists, songwriters, and industry professionals who define Country Music. As the genre continues to reach new audiences around the world, I see an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the Academy\u2019s impact, deepen engagement with our members, artists, partners and fans while ensuring the organization continues to lead the industry through its next era of growth and innovation and help shape an even brighter future for country music.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tSchuon has held top roles at MTV, VH1, Warner Bros. Records, Universal Music Group, Ticketmaster, and CBS Radio, and been integrally involved in the development of new media initiatives such as MTV2, Farmclub,\u00a0Pressplay and Revolt TV.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tSchuon comes to the Academy of Country Music from Anthem Sports & Entertainment, where in February 2024 he was appointed to oversee all aspects of AXS and HDNet<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tSchuon first rose to prominence at KROQ, where he was behind such franchises as \u201cLoveline\u201d as well as the station\u2019s innovative music programming. He made the leap from radio to the label world when he took a role as executive VP and general manager of Warner Bros. Records, before moving into television as executive VP, head of programming and production for MTV, MTV2 and VH1, where he worked on specials like the VMAs and MTV Movie Awards as well as those networks\u2019 reality shows.\u00a0The exec\u2019s long list of media roles also includes positions at CBS Radio, Live Nation, UMG, Loop Media Studios and LiveXLive.<\/p>\n