PANDORA CONNECTS WITH SLING'S LYNCH

Pandora has brought in Sling TV’s founding CEO Roger Lynch as CEO and president, and as a member of its board of directors. He starts 9/18.

Naveen Chopra, Pandora’s interim CEO since June, will continue in his role as chief financial officer. In addition, Pandora announced it has also appointed Snap Inc. Chairman and former Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton to its board of directors.

Pandora’s current chairman, Roger Faxon, declared, “We are absolutely confident that Roger is the right leader for Pandora who can create value for shareholders by marrying Pandora’s numerous assets with the opportunities ahead.”

Lynch is taking over the role co-founder Tim Westergren held until June when SiriusXM acquired a 19% stake in the company. Faxon noted the company is embarking “on our next chapter with renewed focus, a strong balance sheet, a strategic partnership with SiriusXM, and an incredible team of loyal and creative employees.”

Prior to launching Sling TV, Lynch was EVP, Advanced Technologies, for DISH Network and EchoStar Corporations; Chairman and CEO of the U.K.-based Video Networks International Ltd.; and President and CEO of Chello Broadband in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

"I cannot imagine a more important and exciting time to join Pandora," Lynch said. "With a massive, diverse and highly engaged audience, a market-leading digital advertising business, a best-in-class product portfolio and an extremely passionate and talented group of people, Pandora is well-positioned to capture an even greater market opportunity."

He then started a station of songs about venture capital.