Lee Abrams is The Tribune Company's Chief Innovation Officer, responsible for helping re-invent the TV stations, cable channels and newspapers that are owned by Tribune, as well as to help create a new and modern innovation-focused culture. Prior to Tribune, he was XM's Satellite Radio's Senior Vice President and Chief Programming Officer.
Abrams has helped shape the American radio industry for more than 40 years, bringing unparalleled ratings and economic success to radio stations in over 200 U.S. cities, including 97 of the top 100. In 1993, Newsweek listed Abrams as one of America's "100 Cultural Elite" for his contributions to creating modern radio, and Radio Ink listed Abrams as one of the 75 most important radio figures of all time.
Abrams joined XM in June 1998 to help create the next generation of radio: satellite radio. With 150 stations to develop and program, he was once again challenged to reinvigorate the radio landscape. Abrams was responsible for bringing timeless icons such as Bob Dylan, Quincy Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Tom Petty and others into the XM fold to create passionate original programming.
Abrams invented and built Album Rock, the first successful FM format. He also designed numerous other highly successful radio formats including the first Classic Rock format at San Francisco's KFOG; the first FM Dance format at New York's WKTU, and the first New Age/Jazz format. In addition, he created the original blueprint for the NBC Source Network. His corporate clients have included every major radio broadcast group.
In 1989, Abrams joined ABC Radio Networks as an internal consultant and oversaw the revolutionary Z-Rock format, which was the first satellite-delivered Superstation, and was instrumental in the launch of Radio Disney.
Musically, Abrams produced the Grammy-winning CD "Ah Via Musicom" by Eric Johnson, has appeared on several Alan Parsons Project CD's, and worked with major labels and recording artists as a consultant and label head. Among his clients have been great industry leaders, such as The Moody Blues, Yes, Steve Winwood, Iron Maiden, Bob Seger and EMI Records.
Abrams' other media projects have included the redesign of Rolling Stone magazine, the launch of TNT Cable Network, MTV, American marketing consultant to Swatch and advisor to dozens of entertainment companies. In addition, Abrams has been the subject of feature articles in hundreds of consumer publications including Playboy, Esquire, New York Times, People, and The Wall Street Journal, and appeared as a guest on "The Apprentice" series with Donald Trump.
More recently, Abrams created and is hosting the "SkyDives" series, as well as the pilot for History of the Future on cable superstation WGN AMERICA, reaching more than 72 million homes.
At 56, Abrams resides in Chicago with his wife and two children, and is a Commercial and Instrument rated pilot.
Abrams has helped shape the American radio industry for more than 40 years, bringing unparalleled ratings and economic success to radio stations in over 200 U.S. cities, including 97 of the top 100. In 1993, Newsweek listed Abrams as one of America's "100 Cultural Elite" for his contributions to creating modern radio, and Radio Ink listed Abrams as one of the 75 most important radio figures of all time.
Abrams joined XM in June 1998 to help create the next generation of radio: satellite radio. With 150 stations to develop and program, he was once again challenged to reinvigorate the radio landscape. Abrams was responsible for bringing timeless icons such as Bob Dylan, Quincy Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Tom Petty and others into the XM fold to create passionate original programming.
Abrams invented and built Album Rock, the first successful FM format. He also designed numerous other highly successful radio formats including the first Classic Rock format at San Francisco's KFOG; the first FM Dance format at New York's WKTU, and the first New Age/Jazz format. In addition, he created the original blueprint for the NBC Source Network. His corporate clients have included every major radio broadcast group.
In 1989, Abrams joined ABC Radio Networks as an internal consultant and oversaw the revolutionary Z-Rock format, which was the first satellite-delivered Superstation, and was instrumental in the launch of Radio Disney.
Musically, Abrams produced the Grammy-winning CD "Ah Via Musicom" by Eric Johnson, has appeared on several Alan Parsons Project CD's, and worked with major labels and recording artists as a consultant and label head. Among his clients have been great industry leaders, such as The Moody Blues, Yes, Steve Winwood, Iron Maiden, Bob Seger and EMI Records.
Abrams' other media projects have included the redesign of Rolling Stone magazine, the launch of TNT Cable Network, MTV, American marketing consultant to Swatch and advisor to dozens of entertainment companies. In addition, Abrams has been the subject of feature articles in hundreds of consumer publications including Playboy, Esquire, New York Times, People, and The Wall Street Journal, and appeared as a guest on "The Apprentice" series with Donald Trump.
More recently, Abrams created and is hosting the "SkyDives" series, as well as the pilot for History of the Future on cable superstation WGN AMERICA, reaching more than 72 million homes.
At 56, Abrams resides in Chicago with his wife and two children, and is a Commercial and Instrument rated pilot.
