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Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey Talks About Rdio Deal: 
"As radio broadcasters, we are really in the audio content business, distributing our local and national content to more than 90 percent of people in the United States for free on an ad-supported basis. This is a terrific model with high barriers to entry because you can’t start a radio station – you must buy an existing one," writes Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey in a memo to his employees, today, discussing Monday's announcement of the Cumulus partnership with digital streaming service Rdio. "We believe our model is healthy and growing and we plan to continue to invest in broadcast assets. We also recognize that digital audio consumption is growing rapidly as more options for both content and distribution make their way to the marketplace." Dickey adds, "As the consumer’s options and behavior continue to evolve, it’s imperative that we be in a position to serve our listeners a premium quality audio experience wherever, whenever and however they want it. In other words, we want to expand our capabilities to grow with the widening audio space – both in content and distribution. A key reason why we purchased Westwood One was to fortify our position in audio content. Our next logical step is to find the best in class digital distribution platform that will enable us to address the full range of audio needs for our listeners today and in the future."
Katz Media Group Introduces 'Transformed' Digital Division PROXi Digital, Formerly Katz 360, Expands to Offer New Innovative Digital Packages with Localized In-Market Focus and National Reach 
Katz Media Group expands its digital footprint today by announcing the launch of a reimagined interactive division, PROXi Digital. As the new interactive sales arm of Katz Media Group (KMG), PROXI Digital now offers a full suite of online, mobile and audience targeting products. Through partnerships with Katz Radio Group, Katz Television Group and development of a 3rd party ad network, PROXi provides combined access to thousands of the most trusted media publishers. In addition to being the largest audio streaming ad sales representation company in America with 96.7 million AM/FM streamers,
Pandora to Raise $231 Million with Sale of 10 Million Shares 
Pandora Media has filed to raise about $231 million by issuing new shares after its stock more than doubled this year. The California-based company plans to sell 10 million shares, according to a regulatory filing. Crosslink Capital, Pandora’s biggest stockholder, will sell an additional 4 million shares. Underwriters including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo have a 30-day option to purchase an additional 2.1 million shares, potentially increasing Pandora's proceeds to almost $280 million, reports Bloomberg. Pandora is raising money as it seeks to open local sales offices to compete better with radio stations for advertisers. Last week the company named digital ad veteran Brian McAndrews as Chairman and CEO. Some proceeds will be used for acquisitions and developing new technology. Pandora says in its filing, "We may use a portion of the net proceeds for potential acquisitions of businesses, products or technologies, although we have no current agreements or understandings with respect to any such transactions." Pandora's SEC filing also says that "rapid growth in both listener hours and advertising revenue" is something the company does not "expect to be able to sustain" going forward. Pandora also tells the SEC that it expects to continue posting annual losses in the foreseeable future. Radio One and Radiate Media Partner for Small Business Marketing 
Radio One's Interactive One and Radiate Media are partnering to bring the Radiate360 digital marketing platform to small businesses in 15 urban markets. Radio One will "offer its small business radio clients easy-to-use and affordable digital marketing, including social media, mobile marketing and directory management." Says Radio One Director of Integrated Marketing Scott Frost, "The Radiate platform provides a multifaceted solution of integrated tools that are truly capable of addressing the marketing needs of our SMB partners.
Radionomy Officially Launches 'Provides Commercial Radio Broadcasters with No-Cost Online Solution' 
Radionomy -- "the leader in user-generated radio station platforms for producers, listeners and broadcasters around the world" -- today announced the availability of Radionomy for Broadcasters, "its no-cost next-generation platform for commercial broadcasters," says the announcement. "The platform's solutions, which enable traditional broadcasters to grow their audiences globally and increase revenue, offer an all-inclusive streaming package, as well as options for larger, well-established stations to create specialized, custom-programmed ad-insertion." Says Radionomy U.S. Country ManagerThierry Ascarez, "As consumers increasingly turn to streaming for their favorite music and talk radio shows, many traditional AM/FM broadcasters are trying to do it themselves using archaic streaming methods that will soon be obsolete…others have simply put off its adoption and are losing important listeners. Radionomy offers the most advanced streaming capabilities to broadcasters at no cost so that they can expand the live, colorful programming of AM/FM to the growing online audience." Radionomy for Broadcasters, we're told, "provides a seamless solution to broadcasters that want to take their streaming to the next level without worrying about the business or technology behind online streaming." The platform offers two solutions: Radionomy for Broadcasters Blue -- provides unlimited free worldwide streaming and all other radio features. It is designed for "pure players" such as Internet-only broadcasters and independent AM/FM stations. Radionomy for Broadcasters Purple -- custom-designed for larger networks that wish to retain their existing streaming provider while integrating Radionomy benefits such as ad insertion. Both platforms are available immediately to US-based broadcasters and offer all the free tools and services needed to grow and monetize listeners locally and internationally, including: Revenue based on accumulated listener hours; Up-to-the-minute listener data and historical analytics; Integration with marketing tools and social media; International measurement compliance; Interfaces with existing audio feeds and automation software; Time-proven and universally compatible technology "Whether you're a new broadcaster or an established network of stations, Radionomy enables you to take your programming online, keeping the spirit of AM/FM alive while connecting with an international audience," adds Ascarez. For more information visit www.radionomyforbroadcasters.com for details. Mark Ramsey: 'Four Ways iTunes Radio Changes Everything' 
"The launch of Apple's iOS 7 signals more than a major upgrade to Apple’s mobile operating system. Embedded in its feature set is an alternative to every music-playing radio station and every online radio service – iTunes Radio," writes veteran media strategist and researcher Mark Ramsey.
Patricia Jarmek Named JVC Media Regional Sales Director 
JVC Media has hired veteran New York market sales manager Patricia Jarmek to become Regional Sales Director for its Long Island, NY, and Gainesville, Florida, clusters. The company says she will concentrate on growing the radio clusters presence in the national and regional media shops, and will work with the JVC event division on large sponsorship opportunities. “With the addition of Jarmek, we continue to build our team and we are focusing resources and dollars to make all of our radio properties and live events special for our clients and our listeners,” says JVC Media CEO John Caracciolo. Jarmek was recently GSM for Clear Channel AC "Lite 106.7" WLTW-FM, New York, from December 2010 until this past January. Previously, she spent more than 16 years with ABC Radio. "I am absolutely thrilled to be working with JVC and getting in on the ground floor of this young and growing company, this is live and local the way radio is supposed to be," says Jarmek. "Jarmek is a radio pro with years of experience and will concentrate on growing our brand new properties in Florida,” says JVC Gainesville Market Manager Shane Reeve. "She has a ton of connections and a great work ethic she will fit right in." Long Island Market Manager Bruce Shepard adds, "She is one of the best at finding New Business/ Event Sponsorship dollars, which is a huge part of this company." Clear Channel: Playstation 3 to Stream iHeartRadio Music Festival 
Clear Channel's 2013 iHeartRadio Music Festival will broadcast live on Clear Channel radio stations across the country and will video stream live via Yahoo Music and – new this year – the PlayStation 3 (PS3) gaming console, for those fans who can't be in Las Vegas. In addition, the Festival will be televised as a two-night primetime special on The CW Network to kick off their fall season on Monday, September 30. Clear Channel today confirmed the final arrangements for the airing of the festival. "The iHeartRadio all-in-one-digital app brings fans their favorite music wherever they are — and not just on their smartphones, in their cars and on many other devices; it also brings it to them live at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the sold-out Festival, now in its third year, will kick off on Friday, Sept. 20 and conclude Saturday, Sept. 21 at MGM Grand. This year's incredible lineup of music's top talent includes performances by artists including Justin Timberlake, Paul McCartney, Katy Perry, J. Cole, Elton John, Muse, Tiësto, Chris Brown, Keith Urban, fun., Miguel, Bruno Mars, Phoenix, Zedd, Maroon 5, Tim McGraw, Ke$ha, Drake, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Benny Benassi, Queen + Adam Lambert, a special guest appearance by Robin Thicke and this year's Macy's iHeartRadio Rising Star winner, The Summer Set, plus other surprise collaborations."
Contact MHBC News
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From Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Tuesday's Radio & Media News - September 17, 2013
"Broadcast Radio is our company’s DNA, and it enables us to create some of the best audio content in the world. As technology evolves, we want to be able to distribute our content to consumers whenever, wherever and however they want to consume it. Positioning our company to participate across the broadening audio ecosystem will be a key competitive advantage for us going forward." Dickey then explains the importance of the Rdio partnership, noting that digital audio currently consists of four key components: On Demand, Custom Playlist, Internet / Non-local Radio and Local Radio Streaming. So what about "On Demand"? Dickey says that "Rdio is positioned on the leading edge of this important media trend, enabling consumers to listen and discover virtually unlimited amounts of music on any device with a high degree of social engagement across the Rdio platform. Think of Rdio for audio as the equivalent of Netflix, Hulu and Amazon all combined for video. A free or paid subscription to Rdio gives you access to 20 million songs as well as nearly every new song that is released instantly. Your iTunes library now becomes obsolete."
PROXi Digital provides access to video on all digital screens including Internet, mobile and connected TV - making PROXi a one-stop shop for multi-platform campaigns. "PROXi Digital is the sum of years of investment and continued innovation," says Mort Greenberg, President of PROXi Digital. "PROXi is the natural evolution of Katz Media, who has always provided advertisers and agencies with cutting-edge local advertising solutions. Our unique audio and video assets; seamless integration into agency stewardship systems; recent addition of client services and sales planning pods across the country; along with a new data control effort to improve reporting and optimization; makes PROXi Digital superior to any other interactive platform. PROXi expands the scope to become a one-stop digital shop for our clients."
In addition, the training, resources and support that are offered by the Radiate team make the implementation process for my local sales teams a worry-free experience. This will certainly provide a foundation of incremental revenue while engaging our valued clients deeper into our radio station brands." Radiate Media President Ivan Shulman tells us, "Small business owners trust and rely on their Radio One radio partners. What we are doing is expanding what the radio team is able to offer in a way that truly helps small businesses to reach their unique customer base. By bringing our digital platform solutions to Radio One's interactive division, we can assist in helping clients to navigate marketing campaigns through social media, reputation management, directory management, local searches and more." We're told this partnership "marks the largest broadcast partnership to date for Radiate Media and its newly launched Radiate360 product." To date, Radiate says, Radio One has generated revenue in the six figure range within the first 30 days of the partnership.
"But is iTunes Radio just another choice for music, along with Pandora, Spotify, and the rest? Or is it something much bigger, something that changes everything? I think it’s the latter." Ramsey says he believes "the biggest audience for online radio is the audience who hasn’t tried it yet. Not the Pandora audience, not the Spotify audience, but the 'everyone else' who listens to music on their iGadgets and Android devices and desktops who may never have bothered with the incremental 'work' required to download and use a specialized app or platform but who nevertheless are iTunes users." Posing the question "So why does iTunes Radio change everything?", Ramsey offers his four reasons for his assertion: "1. iTunes Radio is the first online radio service baked in to millions of devices already in wide circulation. 2. iTunes Radio is the first online radio service to leverage more than 575 million iTunes accounts. 3. iTunes Radio is the first online radio service integrated with the largest music retailer on the planet. 4. iTunes Radio will be the first online radio service launched with Apple-scale publicity." Last week we reported that the official launch of iTunes Radio was announced for September 18.
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