Ivan Braiker

Ivan Braiker, HipCricket Chief Executive Officer

Ivan is a co-founder of HipCricket, but he has been a force for change in the broadcast industry for decades.

Ivan began his 30 years in broadcast media as an account executive with a CBS television affiliate in Las Vegas, but soon became co-owner and operator of a radio station there. In 1976, he took a position heading Belo Broadcasting’s radio division, where he was recognized as a successful major-market General Manager.

He later co-founded and was president of Satellite Music Network, the first radio network to distribute live, 24-hour programming via satellite – an innovation that earned him Billboard Magazine’s “Trendsetter of the Year” award.

In the interim, he built a series of radio networks, starting with Olympia Broadcasting, which became one of the first publicly-held radio groups. When Ivan got there, it was a single station; when he left, it held a 15-station portfolio with presences in eight key markets. He subsequently co-founded and served as president of New Northwest Broadcasters, which grew under Ivan’s leadership to hold more than 40 stations.

His reputation for leadership has earned him the respect of an entire industry. He is a frequent speaker at National Association of Broadcasters and Radio Advertising Bureau events.

Ivan leads a talented team with backgrounds in broadcasting and brands. And to the shock and amazement of no one, he’s still a driving force in transforming an industry he spent his career helping to shape.