Radio industry leader in interactive revenue now serving other media
customers
CHICAGO, April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Emmis Interactive, the U.S.
radio industry's leader in generating interactive revenues, today announced
plans to begin marketing its services to radio broadcasters and other local
media companies. To that end, Emmis Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:
EMMS) has announced the formation of Emmis Interactive, Inc., a wholly
owned subsidiary of Emmis Operating Company.
Created five years ago and now operating as a stand alone entity, Emmis
Interactive has formed partnerships with several broadcast companies and
publishers to help them reinvent their brands. Emmis Interactive's
ground-breaking technology and approach gives local media a competitive
edge in an environment of changing expectations.
Formulated especially for the needs of local media, Emmis Interactive's
platform provides high-quality, engaging interactive experiences for
advertisers and listeners. In its sixth year of operation, Emmis Radio's
interactive revenues already account for nearly five percent of domestic
radio revenues and have delivered a compounded annual growth rate of 30
percent over the past three years.
"Emmis Interactive has been a true pioneer and innovator in the
interactive space," said Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan. "I take great pride in
what we've built, and we look forward to providing other media companies
the benefits of our interactive platform, sales solutions and know-how."
Pittsburgh-based Renda Broadcasting, owner of 25 radio stations in
eight medium to small U.S. markets, has a contract with Emmis Interactive
to set up their entire interactive operations, including consulting on the
organizational setup; designing the web sites and providing the technology
to power the sites; and training and developing the entire Renda sales and
station management team.
"This is one of the most exciting initiatives to happen at Renda
Broadcasting since we first started operations over 25 years ago," said
Tony Renda, owner of the privately held Renda Broadcasting. "We chose Emmis
Interactive because they understand our needs and have a proven model for
success. Emmis Interactive has over-delivered on their commitments to us
and is truly acting as a partner in business. They are committed to our
success as if they were members of our management team."
"There is a real hunger for the kind of answers Emmis Interactive has
found," Smulyan added. "Their expertise could not be more vital to the
entire media industry as we all seek to transition our businesses and
pursue new revenue streams."
Based in Chicago, Emmis Interactive is led by founders Rey Mena and
Deborah Esayian, who have been named co-presidents of the stand-alone
operation.
Emmis Interactive has 41 employees, including a full software
development team, designers, animators, technology support, an affiliate
relations team, interactive sales specialists and an affiliate sales
support team.
Emmis Interactive generated considerable attention in June of 2006 when
it announced a landmark deal with iTunes, making it the first company in
the nation to integrate the iTunes Music Store into its radio station web
sites. The integration of the iTunes Music Store reflects the programming
of each radio station, allowing listeners to shop from playlists of station
artists as well as top picks from on-air talent and celebrity guests.
Emmis Interactive, Inc., an award-winning global software and
consulting company, provides local broadcasters and publishers with
profitable, sustainable interactive businesses. Combining years of
broadcast and publishing experience with cutting-edge technology and
unparalleled service, Emmis Interactive empowers local media companies with
a comprehensive digital strategy to maximize the value of their media
brands. Services include interactive strategy for executive management,
interactive sales training, content management consulting, proprietary
technology platform and hosting services, custom web-site design and
interactive product development.
Emmis Interactive Inc. is an Emmis Communications Company. For more
information about Emmis Interactive, visit emmisinteractive.com.
Certain statements included in this report or in the financial
statements contained herein which are not statements of historical fact,
including but not limited to those identified with the words "expect,"
"will" or "look" are intended to be, and are, by this Note, identified as
"forward-looking statements," as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended. Such statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from
any future result, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statement. Emmis does not undertake any obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new
information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE Emmis Interactive
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Related links:
http://www.emmis.com
http://www.emmisinteractive.com
CONTACT:
Chris Campbell, Director of Sales Marketing
of Emmis Interactive, +1-312-986-7338,
ccampbell@emmisinteractive.com
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