Re: Emmis tries to broaden its horizons

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: : Emmis Interactive Extends Digital Services to Media Companies : : Radio industry leader in interactive revenue now serving other media customers : : Posted : Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:00:47 GMT : : 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 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 have 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. : : Emmis Communications has spun off its Chicago-based interactive division into a separate company. : Emmis Interactive, headed by founders Rey Mena and Deborah Esayian, will offer its services to other radio and media companies.

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