Los Angeles – December 6, 2011 – City of Hope’s Music and Entertainment Industry group announced today that it will honor Bob Pittman, chief executive officer (CEO) of Clear Channel, one of the leading media companies in America, with its 2012 Spirit of Life® Award. City of Hope is a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. The Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious philanthropic honor, presented annually to an entertainment industry leader who has demonstrated outstanding business and altruistic achievement.

Pittman will receive The Spirit of Life Award in May 2012 at a unique, music-infused gala in California with special musical guest and DJ performances. Proceeds will benefit City of Hope.

In celebration of Pittman's selection as its 2012 Music and Entertainment Industry honoree, City of Hope has launched a six month fundraising initiative that will leverage Clear Channel Radio’s broad reach to showcase the power that radio has in communities across the country by engaging local listeners to action. The premise of the drive is to use music to incite emotion and evoke hope for the millions of people suffering from cancer and other critical diseases.

Pittman was named CEO of Clear Channel in October 2011. He is also a founding member of Pilot Group, LLC, a New York private investment firm, and is a highly regarded media innovator who has made a significant impact in a number of industries and companies. He led the team that created MTV and has served as CEO or chief operating officer of MTV Networks, America Online, Six Flags Theme Parks, Quantum Media, Century 21 Real Estate, Time Warner Enterprises and AOL Time Warner. Pittman is former chairman of the nonprofit Robin Hood Foundation, which fights poverty in New York City, and former chairman of the New York Public Theater, and still serves on both boards. He is also on the boards of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Alliance for Lupus Research and the New York City Ballet. Among other awards, Pittman has been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame and received the International Radio and Television Society's Gold Medal and a Council of Fashion Designers of America Award. He was recognized in Life's "Five Original Thinkers of the '80s," Advertising Age's "50 Pioneers and Visionaries of TV" and "10 Marketers Who Changed American Culture."

“Bob Pittman embodies all that The Spirit of Life Award represents, and Clear Channel has been a longtime supporter of our initiatives, including Pink Channel, Play for Life, Taste of Hope and a variety of online auctions. From Live Aid to the recent iHeartRadio Music Festival, Bob has continually shaped American pop culture,” said Britta Bucholz, senior director of development, City of Hope. “He is a model humanitarian who uses his talents and success to make the world a better place.”

“I am honored to be the recipient of this year’s award and to use the power of radio, internet and music and entertainment for such a worthy cause,” Pittman added. “It is a privilege to represent the unparalleled work of City of Hope and all those who have been or will be affected by cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”

About Music & Entertainment Industry Group

Inspired by the guiding humanitarian principles of City of Hope and motivated by the institution's commitment to innovative medical research and compassionate patient care, a group of key industry executives founded the Music and Entertainment Industry group in 1973. In its 38-year history, the group has raised over $96 million for City of Hope and has honored some of the most important figures in the music and entertainment industry. Recent past honorees include Irving Azoff, executive chairman, Live Nation, and wife, Shelli Azoff, Tim Leiweke, president and CEO, AEG, Doug Morris, chairman and CEO of UMG, and Bob Cavallo, chairman, Disney Music Group.

About City of Hope

City of Hope is a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest honor bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope's research and treatment protocols advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope is located in Duarte, Calif., just northeast of Los Angeles, and is ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org or follow City of Hope on facebook, twitter, youtube or flickr.