According to The Hollywood Reporter, when it comes time to launch the next generation of stars with tween appeal, Radio Disney appears poised to be an integral part of the strategic planning sessions by the music industry’s hippest decision-makers. “They’re responsible for a lot of success,” says Joe Riccitelli, senior vice president of pop promotion at Jive Records, which represents many among the first generation of mega-artists of teen and tweendom, including Britney Spears, *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. “I can’t say that they’re responsible for Britney Spears being the icon that she’s become, but if you look at their playlist, ‘Oops! … I Did It Again’ is still being played 30 times a week.”
The entire story at hollywoodreporter.com has since been removed.