Mobile Apps Target African-American and Urban Listeners in 15 U.S. Urban Markets
Cupertino, CA (Business Wire) – July 7, 2010 – AirKast, the leader in digital content and advertising solutions, and Radio One, the urban media specialist based in New York, NY, announced today that the companies have signed an agreement to deliver iPhone and BlackBerry mobile applications for Radio One radio stations. In total, 51 Radio One stations will have both iPhone and BlackBerry mobile applications available to listeners by the end of summer 2010. Android mobile applications will be available soon thereafter.
“Since the majority of our urban listeners are often ‘on the go,’ we knew Radio One stations needed to get into the mobile app game. AirKast will help us get there quickly and with a great offering,” said Dan Shelley, General Manager of Digital for Radio One. “We considered developing our own apps, but the barriers to entry are huge for the broadcasting market. AirKast offers the features and monetization opportunities that our stations need to attract both listeners and sponsors.”
The mobile applications allow listeners to tune into their favorite Radio One stations in 15 of America’s largest urban markets from the convenience of their mobile phones. Developed and delivered using both AirKast AirBridge and TuneKast, the Radio One mobile applications let listeners hear live broadcasts on the go as well as view song lyrics, see artist and album information, read reviews, watch videos, listen to station podcasts, hear samples of recently played songs and even buy music through iTunes and Amazon.com. There is no registration required and each application is free to download.
“Radio One wanted a mobile partner to deliver its content in a multimedia-rich fashion while maintaining the brand awareness of individual stations,” said Simon Moy, president and COO for AirKast. “By allowing AirKast to create and deliver the mobile applications, each Radio One station can maintain its own content and branding as well as control station event and sponsor information. AirKast allows Radio One to focus on content instead of creation and delivery issues.”
AirBridge, the industry’s award-winning hosted digital media delivery platform, is used to build enterprise-class mobile applications that are reliable, secure and scalable so companies can target large audiences that require simultaneous access. AirBridge currently supports market-leading mobile devices, including iPhone, BlackBerry (all models including Storm) and Android. Designed for terrestrial and Internet-based radio stations to increase AQH, TuneKast is a mobile application framework that features real-time digital media and online content within branded mobile applications. Used by 850+ popular terrestrial and Internet-based radio stations, TuneKast, together with AirBridge, helps radio stations increase their digital content distribution to attract sponsors and advertisers.
About Radio One
Radio One, Inc. (www.radio-one.com) is a diversified media company that primarily targets African-American and urban consumers. The Company is one of the nation’s largest radio broadcasting companies, currently owning 53 broadcast stations located in 15 urban markets in the United States. As a part of its core broadcasting business, Radio One operates syndicated programming including the Russ Parr Morning Show (www.therussparrmorningshow.com) the Yolanda Adams Morning Show (www.syndication1.com/yolanda.htm), the Rickey Smiley Morning Show (www.syndication1.com/rickey.htm) CoCo Brother Live (www.syndication1.com/coco.htm), CoCo Brother’s “Spirit” (www.syndication1.com/coco.htm) program, Bishop T.D. Jakes’ “Empowering Moments” (www.syndication1.com/td.htm), the Reverend Al Sharpton Show (www.syndication1.com/al.htm), and the Warren Ballentine Show (www.syndication1.com/warren.htm). The Company also owns a controlling interest in Reach Media, Inc. (www.blackamericaweb.com), owner of the Tom Joyner Morning Show and other businesses associated with Tom Joyner. Beyond its core radio broadcasting business, Radio One owns Interactive One (www.interactiveone.com), an online platform serving the African-American community through social content, news, information, and entertainment, which operates a number of branded sites, including NewsOne, TheUrbanDaily, HelloBeautiful, and social networks BlackPlanet, MiGente, and AsianAvenue and an interest in TV One, LLC (www.tvoneonline.com), a cable/satellite network programming primarily to African-Americans.
About AirKast, Inc.
AirKast, Inc. is a leading provider of digital content and advertising enterprise-class solutions that extend and enhance real-time digital media and online content to mobile and consumer electronic (CE) devices. AirKast customers include ABC as well as popular terrestrial stations from Greater Media, Alpha Broadcasting, Citadel Broadcasting and NextMedia, Inc. AirKast is headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley with an office strategically located in New York City. For more information about AirKast and its solutions, visit www.airkast.com.
