iHeartRadio

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Clear Channel becomes iHeartMedia

Posted on by Brad Hill

In a breakthrough announcement, Clear Channel today renamed the company iHeartMedia.

“Clear Channel announced today that it has become iHeartMedia, reflecting the company’s success in becoming a one-of-a-kind multi-platform media company with unparalleled reach and impact,” according to the press release. Darren Davis, President of iHeartMedia, remarked in an email, “iHeartMedia reflects the momentum of iHeartRadio and how consumers and advertisers engage seamlessly across our diverse live media platforms — broadcast radio, digital, mobile, social, TV, outdoor and events.” Continue Reading →

iHeartRadio adds Grupo ACIR stations and takes over digital ad repping

Posted on by Brad Hill

Clear Channel announced today that iHeartRadio is adding the 55 Mexican radio stations of Grupo ACIR to the streaming platform. The cluster will be folded into the iHeartRadio Hispanic Network. The emphasis is on U.S. exposure to the Mexico-based programming. As part of the distribution deal, Clear Channel will take over as digital sales provider. Continue Reading →

iHeartRadio partners with AdsWizz to monetize streams

Posted on by Brad Hill

Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio is partnering with ad-tech provider AdsWizz to create “unique and integrated digital advertising capabilities,” it was announced this morning. The partnership will enhance ad insertion and targeting across a wide scope of brands and content — over 840 Clear Channel radio stations that stream live webcasts on the iHeart platform. Continue Reading →

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When Hertz asked, “How hard can it be?”

Posted on by Kurt Hanson

by Kurt Hanson

One of the hottest trends in the transportation field nowadays is that of “car sharing,” a/k/a short-term, neighborhood-distributed car rentals, a la Zipcar. In this narrative, which is both hilarious and horrendous, founding editor Kurt Hanson describes the stunning failed experience of trying a newly-developed car-sharing service offered by legacy car-rental company Hertz. Spinning off a new business line separate from a firm’s core competency isn’t as easy as it might seem — and Kurt Hanson extends that point to the Internet radio industry. Continue Reading →

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How do graduating high school students listen to online music?

Posted on by Brad Hill

Niche, a research firm founded by Carnegie Mellon University in 2002 with a focus on early-life decision-making, has released an interesting study of media choices among graduating high school students. When surveyed about listening to music, graduating high-schoolers divulged their music-service habits. Continue Reading →

adStream: McDonalds “Think With Your Mouth” campaign

Posted on by Brad Hill

adStream is a journal of ad-spottings in online music services that highlight how commercials (audio and visual) can be an integrated part of the online listening experience.

We noted that the McDonalds “Think With Your Mouth” campaign for Big Mac sandwiches won an award at Cannes Lions this year, and we have been spotting the digital placements in streaming music services, including iHeartRadio. Continue Reading →

iHeartRadio 5.0: new app, focus on personalization

Posted on by Brad Hill

Review by Brad Hill

Clear Channel updated its iHeartRadio app, overhauling the design with a more compact and usable presentation, while adding a level of instant personalization for new users. We tested the upgrade in its Android version, which was released slightly before the iOS version for Apple devices. Long-time users will appreciate the tightened, more intelligent design choices in the new app.

iHeartRadio 5.0 is seems to have a dual targeting strategy: attracting new users, and improving the experience for existing audience. It’s a big audience: 345-million app downloads and 50-million registered users Continue Reading →

RAIN Summit Indy announces Clear Channel’s President of Networks Darren Davis as keynoter

Posted on by Brad Hill

Darren Davis, President of Networks for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s RAIN Summit Indy, to be held Tuesday, September 9 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Davis has a 21-year career with Clear Channel, and will provide insight on Clear Channel’s innovative digital initiatives. Continue Reading →

Big Data Is Smart Data for Online Audio

Posted on by Jennifer Lane

Big data, the term used for collections of data that are so big that special processing is needed in order to use it, is a key component of customized music services. Big data processing is important on the advertising side as well. Jennifer Lane thinks about the possibilities that big data can offer to streaming audio. Continue Reading →