Mat Bates Joins Pandora As Lead Curator-Programmer, Alternative

Mat Bates

MAT BATES has joined PANDORA as Lead Curator-Programmer, Alternative. He most reccently was RDIO's head of radio and programming before PANDORA acquired the company at end of last year (NET NEWS 12/22/15).

Prior to RDIO, BATES was at SLACKER RADIO as Sr. Radio Program Manager. Previously he used the nom de air MAT DIABLO during his programming/on-air posts in Alternative Radio, which included XTRA (91X)/SAN DIEGO, KRZQ/RENO, KQXR/BOISE and KXTE/LAS VEGAS.

BATES said, "I am grateful and excited that PANDORA has asked my team and I to become a part of their radio programming strategy; your friends on the RDIO music and radio programming team are officially joining PANDORA’s esteemed music curation team. The PANDORA folks have been very gracious, welcoming, and complimentary of the work that we accomplished on RDIO’s free radio product. Like us, they believe that our role as curators is not to act as 'gatekeepers,' but to facilitate the discovery and development of new music and artists -- for diverse audiences across the spectrum -- via radio." 

He added, "No PR, post-merger, bullshit -- I truly believe that this is a great thing for anyone that cares about the power of radio and the future of the medium."

Reach BATES at Mbates@Pandora.com or (775) 233-7633.

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