SiriusXM Welcomes Wayne D. Thorsen as COO
Sirius XM Holdings Inc. has officially announced the appointment of Wayne D. Thorsen as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective December 16, 2024. This significant leadership change aligns with SiriusXM's strategy to sharpen its focus on its core audio entertainment business. Thorsen joins the company from ADT Inc., where he played an essential role in driving product management and business development initiatives.
A Strong Addition to Leadership
As COO, Thorsen will oversee critical aspects of SiriusXM's product and technology functions, as well as its commercial activities and corporate strategy. He will report directly to SiriusXM's CEO, Jennifer Witz, working closely to implement the company's refined strategic direction announced alongside his hiring. Thorsen’s responsibilities will include overseeing automotive and streaming distribution arrangements and enhancing subscriber acquisition and marketing strategies.
"Wayne is a seasoned leader who brings a wealth of experience in business development and innovation," said Witz. She emphasized that Thorsen is well-equipped to guide SiriusXM through this pivotal stage as the company aims to deliver optimized results and enhanced operational efficiency. Thorsen is poised to lead efforts focused on assessing marketing and technology investments, driving both business outcomes and improved listener experiences.
Extensive Experience in Technology and Business Development
Thorsen's extensive background includes serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer at ADT Inc., where he was at the forefront of product and engineering teams. Under his leadership, ADT saw significant advancements and the successful launch of new products like Trusted Neighbor, positioned to elevate their market presence significantly. He has also held influential roles at tech giants like Google and Microsoft, assisting in the development of strategic partnerships and innovative product lines.
While at Google, Thorsen managed business development for various device and service offerings, showcasing his ability to blend technological insights with market needs. This experience is expected to be invaluable as SiriusXM navigates the rapidly evolving audio entertainment landscape.
Vision Beyond Implementation
Expressing his enthusiasm about joining SiriusXM, Thorsen stated, "As a long-time subscriber myself, I have always admired SiriusXM's platform and its commitment to delivering unmatched content to listeners. It is indeed an honor to step into this new role. The ongoing implementation of the revamped strategy will require strong execution, and I look forward to collaborating with Jennifer and the leadership team to translate our vision into action and results."
Thorsen's hire follows Joseph Inzerillo's departure from the role of Chief Product and Technology Officer, which indicates a significant shift in leadership as SiriusXM looks to innovate and redefine its product offerings. Inzerillo played a crucial role in the transformation of the company's technology platform and streaming application.
About SiriusXM
SiriusXM remains a leading audio entertainment powerhouse in North America, boasting a diverse portfolio that encompasses a subscription service, ad-supported streaming platforms like Pandora, and an extensive podcast network. With a monthly audience of around 150 million, the company continues to cater to various listener preferences across music, talk, news, and sports programming. For more information about their offerings, visit
SiriusXM's official website.
As Wayne D. Thorsen acclimates to his new role, the audio entertainment industry will be keenly watching how SiriusXM adjusts its strategies and enhances its service delivery under his leadership.