Alfredo Alonso is a retired Cuban-born media executive. He held numerous senior management positions in Spanish-language media publishing, radio, television, corporate event management and restaurateur. He is known as an innovator of new products to reach the U.S. Hispanic media marketplace.
''Radio y Musica''
Alonso's 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 an annual Spanish industry convention Radio Y Musica Convention. 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 Spanish music formats. The conventions became a must attend for Spanish radio and label executives. Numerous Spanish language recording artists performed during the annual events including pop starMarc Anthony. Alonso sold the company in 2000 to Radio & Records. In 2002 Radio y Musica ceased operations.
Clear Channel
Alonso served as Senior Vice President for Clear Channel Radio from 2004 to 2011. In a two-year period Clear Channel Radio converted 25 stations to become a leading Spanish language radio provider in the US. The first ever bilingual U.S. format Hurban which was introduced on Mega 101 in Houston, Texas. He also established Spanish Hits La Preciosa Network which is heard in over ten U.S. markets.
Prior to Mega Communications Alonso worked for Spanish Broadcasting System 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. 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. Alonso left SBS in 1996 to form his own Spanish radio company.
Mega Broadcasting
In August 1996 Alonso formed Mega Broadcasting. The company established Spanish-language radio stations in Philadelphia, Washington DC, Hartford and Tampa. As principal owner he served as President and CEO until November 1998. The company was renamed Mega Communications in 1998 after selling a majority stake to New York-based Lindemann Capital for $14 million. Alonso remained a limited partner, President and CEO of the new company until April 2002 when Alonso transferred to Vice Chairman. In 2004 he resigned the position after selling his remaining ownership to Adam Lindemann. During his tenure with Mega Communications Alonso was a partner with billionaire businessmen George Lindemann and his son Adam Lindemann from 1998 to 2004.
