Citadel Media and Listener Driven Radio Announce Partnership

Mon Nov 2, 2009 12:54pm EST
 
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Innovative Model Turns Radio Broadcasts to Crowdcasts Through Audience
Engagement




NEW YORK, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Citadel Media announced today it has signed
an agreement with Listener Driven Radio (LDR), a new platform that allows
listeners to program their favorite radio stations. LDR delivers a
groundbreaking experience that turns radio audiences into collaborators for
stations seeking the next level in audience interaction. The LDR system is the
most comprehensive interactive radio programming platform available and
provides audiences enhanced control and a feeling of ownership. Radio
listeners are able to request songs, impact playlists and upload or vote for
new music through radio station websites, smartphones, iPhones, Facebook,
MySpace and Friendster as well as 80 other social networks. 

Station programmers are able to set guidelines for audience control of its
playlist as broad or narrow as they choose. LDR also feeds station Twitter
accounts automatically, helping to build tune-in and time spent listening.

"Our partnership with LDR is a win for our portfolio," said John Rosso,
President of Citadel Media. "As we evaluated the new platforms launching in
the crowdcasting space, we knew a joint venture with the teams behind LDR's
creation from McVay Media and Lee Zapis would be the most advantageous. The
LDR leadership group has a keen insight into programmer mindsets and an
understanding of exactly how this needs to work from the station's
perspective. We believe this technology affords listeners an opportunity for a
new level of interaction with their radio, while providing monetizing
opportunities and increased ratings for stations."

Radio groups already utilizing LDR include Virgin Radio France, RFM France,
The Joy-FM Radio Network and KTTB in Minneapolis. The platform is available
for use across all music formats and provides a turnkey digital presence that
goes beyond merely exposing a station's brand to creating engagement and
relationships with audiences online.

"Radio stations have historically depended on a long feedback loop to gain an
understanding of what their audience wants to hear but today's listener lives
in an instant gratification world," said Daniel Anstandig, President of McVay
New Media and LDR architect. "With LDR, stations go from music 'broadcasting'
to 'crowdcasting' giving the audience the power to influence music scheduling
and playlists in real-time. Stations will begin to play music not 'to' their
audience but 'with' their audience. We're excited to work with the
extraordinary team at Citadel Media and anticipate rapid growth as they help
us build a broad base of affiliates."

LDR stations will have access to a 24-hour support team available to assist
with IT, engineering and programming questions. Through a partnership with
MusicMaster, LDR also directly integrates with the station's music scheduling
software. Each station receives specific sales materials designed to produce
sponsorships on the LDR system, helping to immediately monetize the platform
for each affiliate. 

About Listener Driven Radio
Listener Driven Radio empowers "broadcasters to become crowdcasters" -
enabling listeners to influence a radio station's programming in real time via
web and mobile. A revolutionary model for radio, LDR was launched in 2009 by
radio consultants, Daniel Anstandig and Mike McVay and radio owner and media
entrepreneur, Lee Zapis. Listener Driven Radio's strategic partnerships in the
radio and software development industries contribute to the company's unique
position in the marketplace as a leader in shaping the future of radio and
audience engagement. For more information on Listener Driven Radio, visit
www.listenerdrivenradio.com or call 877-221-7979.

About Citadel Media 
Citadel Media has 4,400 affiliate radio stations reaching more than 107
million listeners in the 12+ demographic each week. Programs and services
include ABC News Radio, The Mark Levin Show, The Michael Baisden Show, The
Huckabee Report, Radio Perez with Perez Hilton, The Joe Scarborough Show, The
Tom Joyner Morning Show, Imus in the Morning, Big Boy's Neighborhood, Kidd
Kraddick in the Morning, MoneyTalk with Bob Brinker, Rick Dees Weekly Top 40,
Tom Kent and American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks. Other Citadel Media
services include advanced digital media platforms with online interactive
advertising, streaming audio and podcasts, ABC Sports Radio, syndicated music
and talk programs including Flashback, format-specific ePREP, production
libraries, nine 24-hour formats, including Scott Shannon's True Oldies Channel
and ESPN Radio. Citadel Media en Espanol includes leading Spanish-language
programming such as Conexion Thalia, Tu Vida Es Mi Vida con Maria Marin, and
ESPN Deportes Radio. The network has a digital partnership with SustainLane,
the nation's largest green ad network, which delivers more than 31 million
unique visitors per month.



SOURCE  Citadel Media

Louis Adams of Citadel Media, +1-972-448-3150

 

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