Alfredo Alonso

Alfredo Alonso is a retired Cuba-born media executive. He held senior management positions in Spanish-language media publishing, radio broadcasting, television production, corporate event management and restaurateur. He is known as an innovator of new products to reach the U.S. Hispanic media marketplace. Born in Habana, Cuba in 1960 to parents, Angel Alonso, father and Ana Maria Costal, mother. His family lived in the Bronx, where he attended Emerson High School.^[1]

His career in Spanish-language media started in 1989 when he established a weekly Spanish trade publication Radio y Musica based in Tampa, Florida. The company in addition operated annual Spanish industry conventions Radio Y Musica Convention.^[2] The annual event was held in Los Angeles from 1990 to 1997 and expanded to San Juan, Puerto Rico from 1992 to 1995. Radio y Musica became known as the Spanish language Billboard. The publication was the first to create weekly charts by specific Spanish music formats, create radio syndication for weekly countdown shows, produced weekly music video programming and establish local correspondent's in top Hispanic markets. The conventions became a must attend for Spanish radio and label executives. Numerous Spanish language recording artists performed during the annual events including pop star Marc Anthony.^{[citation needed]} Other notable artists to debut during the annual conventions, included Shakira, Alejandro Fernandez, Carlos Vives. He sold the company in 2000 to Radio & Records, Los Angeles, California in an effort to focus attention to his radio holdings. In 2002 Radio y Musica ceased operations after Radio & Records decided to fold its Spanish operations into R&R.

He served as senior vice president for Clear Channel Radio from 2004 to 2011. In a two-year period Clear Channel Radio converted 25 radio stations to become a leading Spanish language radio provider in the US. The first ever bilingual U.S. format Hurban which was introduced LATINO & PROUD on Mega 101 in Houston, Texas.^[3][4][5] He also established Spanish Hits La Preciosa Network which was heard in over ten U.S. markets. Overall, 35 stations were converted to numerous Spanish language reaching most of the US Hispanic marketplace. He reported to Clear Channel Radio CEO, John Hogan, while also working closely with local market managers.

In 1993, he left Radio & Musica, Tampa to take over management of Spanish Broadcasting System New York serving as Vice President/Market Manager of WSKQ-FM, WPAT-FM and WSKQ New York from April 1993 to July 1996. Alonso re-formatted WSKQ-FM from KQ 97.9 to Mega 97.9 a move that helped establish WSKQ into a powerhouse radio station. In a short period the station moved into a top position in ratings and revenues.^[6] The overall improvement in operations allowed SBS to purchase WPAT-93.1 FM New York which became a Spanish station under his management. Alonso consulted Spanish Broadcasting System's launch of KLAX-FM in Los Angeles known as La X 97.9 in 1992 before joining the company full-time. KLAX-FM became the first Spanish-language radio station in Los Angeles to reach the number one ranking in Arbitron audience share. He left SBS in 1996 to form his own Spanish radio company, Mega Broadcasting.

In 1996, he formed Mega Broadcasting to purchase WURD Philadelphia. The initial success allowed the company to quickly expand in a two-year period. The company purchased additional radio stations in WKDL Washington DC, WNEZ Hartford and WBDN Tampa. As principal owner he served as president and CEO until 1998. [10]. The company was renamed Mega Communications in October 1998 after selling majority stake to New York-based Lindemann Capital in a leveraged buyout. He remained a limited partner, president and CEO of the new company, during his tenure the company expanded into several new markets, including, Orlando, Boston and New York. In 2002, he transferred to vice chairman. In 2004 he resigned his position after selling his remaining ownership shares to Adam Lindemann.^[7] During his tenure with Mega Communications he was a partner with billionaire businessmen George Lindemann and son Adam Lindemann from 1998 to 2004.^[8][9]

After departing Clear Channel Radio in 2011, he started a private equity firm to invest in startup companies, real estate and Spanish themed eateries.

He is married to Eugenia Carolina Velazquez. He has one son, Adam Alonso; one daughter, Amanda Alonso. He currently resides in northern New Jersey.^[10][11]