Clear Channel Outdoor Veteran Departs After 12 Years

Nick Coston reflects on his time at the outdoor advertising company as it undergoes major changes.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Nick Coston, a former Regional Account Executive at Clear Channel Outdoor's DC/Baltimore division, is departing the company after 12 years. Coston started at the company just two weeks after 9/11 and had a successful career, earning four times his previous salary within three years. He reflects on the changes at the company, including the recent sale to an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund and the passing of a longtime colleague.

Why it matters

Coston's departure marks the end of an era at Clear Channel Outdoor, a major player in the outdoor advertising industry. The sale of the company to an overseas firm and the loss of a longtime employee highlight the volatility and rapid changes happening in the media landscape.

The details

Coston started at Clear Channel Outdoor's DC/Baltimore division in 2001, just two weeks after 9/11. He had previously worked as an ad director for a DC political magazine. At Clear Channel, Coston worked his way up, eventually becoming one of the company's top sales representatives nationwide. He credits the company's culture, lack of bureaucracy, and opportunities for growth as key factors in his success. Over his 12 years at the company, Coston experienced major life events like getting divorced, remarrying, and buying a home. This week, Coston learned that his longtime colleague and friend, Dave Battaglia, a 25-year Clear Channel veteran, is departing the company. Additionally, the company was just sold to an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala Capital, and another colleague, Chris Dickson, passed away.

  • Coston started at Clear Channel Outdoor two weeks after 9/11 in 2001.
  • Within three years, Coston was earning four times his previous salary.
  • Coston's colleague Dave Battaglia, a 25-year Clear Channel veteran, is departing the company this week.
  • Clear Channel Outdoor was just sold to Mubadala Capital, an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund.
  • Coston's colleague Chris Dickson passed away this week.

The players

Nick Coston

A former Regional Account Executive at Clear Channel Outdoor's DC/Baltimore division who worked at the company for 12 years.

Dave Battaglia

A 25-year veteran of Clear Channel Outdoor and a multi-sales award winner who is departing the company this week.

Chris Dickson

A longtime sales representative at Clear Channel Outdoor's DC/Baltimore branch who passed away this week.

Mubadala Capital

An Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund that recently acquired Clear Channel Outdoor.

Clear Channel Outdoor

A major outdoor advertising company that Coston worked for over the past 12 years.

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What they’re saying

“As Ferris Bueller once said, 'Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it'.”

— Nick Coston (billboardinsider.com)

What’s next

The new owners of Clear Channel Outdoor, Mubadala Capital, will need to determine the future direction of the company and whether to keep the Clear Channel Outdoor name.

The takeaway

Coston's departure from Clear Channel Outdoor after 12 years marks the end of an era for the company, which is undergoing significant changes with the sale to an overseas firm and the loss of longtime employees. The story highlights the volatility and rapid changes happening in the media landscape.