Revenue Pacings for 2000 Already at Record Levels
Company Doubled Advertising Rates at Start of 2000; Additional Increases Being
Implemented
MIAMI, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Radio Unica Communications Corp.
(Nasdaq: UNCA), the nation's only Spanish language radio network, today
announced preliminary revenue figures for the quarter and year ended December
31, 1999. For the three months ended December 31, 1999, revenues are expected
to reach approximately $5.1 million, up 183% compared to $1.8 million in the
same period of 1998. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 1999 are
expected to total approximately $16.2 million, a 98% increase over revenues of
$8.2 million last year. Actual financial results will be reported on
Thursday, February 24, 2000.
"We are delighted to be able to announce such positive sales results for
1999 and to beat analysts' top line expectations," said Joaquin F. Blaya,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Radio Unica. "Our Company has made
tremendous inroads in the marketplace since our founding in 1997 and our
initial public offering in October 1999 -- due, we believe, to a stellar
management and on-air team, as well as a unique business model and an
aggressive sales and marketing initiative. As a result, we're already
experiencing sales levels for the year 2000 that are pacing at several times
those of 1999."
Mr. Blaya continued, "By successfully executing each step of our growth
plan, including acquiring radio stations in the top 15 to 20 U.S. Hispanic
markets, and growing our audience and advertiser base significantly, we have
reached our goal of creating the third national advertising platform serving
the fast-growing Hispanic market. With our most recent entry into San Diego
and Fresno, California, we now have 14 owned and/or operated stations serving
a total of 12 U.S. markets -- allowing us to reach approximately 80% of the
total Hispanic population. I'm also proud to say that nine of our 12 markets
are now rated by Arbitron."
Mr. Blaya noted that with its recent sell-out of the Gold Cup 2000 soccer
event (for which the Company is the official and exclusive Spanish language
radio network) and expanding interest from clients, Radio Unica has signed on
many new advertisers including Chevrolet, Miller Genuine Draft, Western Union,
Honda, Allstate, El Sitio.com, Terra.com, Nissan, Showtime and Denny's. These
companies join Radio Unica's existing advertiser base of such notable names as
Moneygram, Sears, Wal-Mart, Honda, Chevrolet, Toys-R-Us, Procter & Gamble,
among others.
Steven E. Dawson, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of
Radio Unica, commented, "Due to the growth of our advertising base and
subsequent increases in inventory demand, Radio Unica was able to double its
ad rates at the start of this year and is currently raising them an additional
10-20%. Our sports rights continue to generate significant demand as
evidenced by the recent sell-out of the Gold Cup 2000 and strong sales pacings
for the 2000 Summer Olympics. As we move forward, we see these trends
continuing -- a positive omen for what should be another solid year for Radio
Unica in 2000."
About Radio Unica Communications Corp.
Radio Unica Communications Corp., based in Miami, Florida, is the only
national Spanish-language radio network in the country and reaches
approximately 80% of Hispanic USA through a group of owned and/or operated
stations and affiliates located nationwide. The Company's operations include
the Radio Unica Network and an owned and/or operated station group covering
the top U.S. Hispanic markets including Los Angeles, New York, Miami, San
Francisco, Chicago, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, San Diego
and Fresno.
Radio Unica corners the market in sports with the exclusive U.S.
Spanish-language radio broadcast rights to the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics,
World Cup Championship of Club Teams 2000, 2001 and 2002, Gold Cup 2000 and
2002, Copa America 2001, and the World Cup 2002 qualifying matches. Radio
Unica also owns the exclusive U.S. Spanish-language radio broadcast rights to
the 2000 NBA Finals.
The Network's programming line-up includes contemporary-theme talk shows
hosted by internationally known personalities such as Pedro Sevcec, Dr. Isabel
Gomez-Bassols, Charytin and Mauricio Zeillic; sports-talk hosted by Jorge
Ramos and other top names in sports broadcasting; and newscasts on the hour,
24 hours a day. Radio Unica also airs segments featuring the #1 Hispanic talk
show host in the country, Cristina, and the most recognized Hispanic female
news anchor, Maria Elena Salinas. Many programs are interactive, allowing
listeners to call in toll-free.
This press release contains forward-looking information based upon the
Company's current best judgment and expectations. Actual results could vary
from those presented herein. The risks and uncertainties associated with the
forward-looking information include economic factors, the success of
programming strategies and other business factors. For further information,
please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
For more information on Radio Unica, via fax at no charge, please dial
1-800-PRO-INFO and enter the company code UNCA, or visit our web sites at
http://www.radiounica.com and http://www.frbinc.com .
SOURCE Radio Unica Communications Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.radiounica.com
CONTACT:
Marilyn Fajardo, 305-463-5140,
marilyn.fajardo@radiounica.com, or Eileen Perez, 305-463-5141,
eileen.perez@radiounica.com, both of Radio Unica Communications
Corp.; or Analysts, Elizabeth Eakeley, General Info, Paula
Schwartz, Media Info, Dave Closs, all of The Financial Relations
Board 212-661-8030
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