Clear Channel and Macys Congratulate Before You Exit

Clear Channel and Macy's Congratulate Before You Exit, Winners of the Third Annual "Macy's iHeartRadio Rising Star" Campaign

Campaign Captured More Than Seven Million Online Votes 
New York, NY – June 23, 2014 – Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and Macy's congratulate Before You Exit on winning the third Macy's iHeartRadio Rising Star Campaign. Before You Exit will now perform alongside music's biggest stars at this year's iconic two-day iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on September 19 and 20, in addition to taking the stage for special performances during Macy's Glamorama®, the retailer's annual music and high-fashion events this summer, as well as the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® this November.
 
The three brothers from Orlando, Florida – Connor McDonough (Vocals/Guitar), Riley McDonough (Vocals) and younger brother Toby McDonough (Vocals/Guitar) – have crafted a soaring pop-rock album of uplifting relationship songs that blend sharp hooks with bright and buoyant rock. The album and standout first single, "I Like That" is a tune with tenderly romantic lyrics and big pop-rock beat. Conjuring up the optimism in the band's name – inspired by the sentiment "make a difference before you exit" – the band works daily to make their way to the top, but never fail to stop and appreciate what has got them where they are today.
“We are so blessed to have such amazing support and to be given this opportunity to play at the iHeartRadio Music Festival alongside so many talented artists,” said the band. They added, "Ever since we were really young, we had always dreamed of one day being in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. When a surreal event occurs, a lot of people say ‘I never could've imagined this,’ but truth is, we've always been dreaming it, we just never imagined it'd come true."
 
This year, Clear Channel radio listeners, iHeartRadio fans and Macy's shoppers cast more than seven million votes for their favorite up-and-coming artists, crowning Before You Exit as the 2014 Macy's iHeartRadio Rising Star. The campaign also featured five in-store performances by the Top 5 finalists where hundreds of fans flocked to Macy's stores to see live performances of the must-hear breakout artists of 2014.
 
In addition to performing alongside major music stars at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, Before You Exit will kick-off their victory celebration with special performances during this summer's Macy's Passport presents Glamorama events. Macy's iconic high-fashion and entertainment extravaganzas feature the latest fashion from the hottest designers, show-stopping dance, visuals and staging, as well as incredible musical and other performances. Before You Exit will open the shows on August 1 in Minneapolis and August 8 in Chicago, followed by two shows in late September slated for Los Angeles and San Francisco. Tickets are available for purchase at macys.com/glamtickets.
Fans can hear music from Before You Exit on iHeartRadio via Macy’s exclusive mstyleradio, the digital top hits radio station which also broadcasts live in-store at more than 700 Macy’s mstylelab Junior’s and Young Men’s departments nationwide. mstyleradio is a destination where fans can discover new music, enjoy their favorite hits and connect to the latest in fashion and pop culture.
Last fall's iHeartRadio Music Festival hosted by Ryan Seacrest, brought the music of the iHeartRadio app to life and featured performances by more than 40 of the best artists in music including Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Queen + Adam Lambert, fun., Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus, Bruno Mars and more. This year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival 2014 star-studded line-up and ticket information will be announced next month.
About Macy's

Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at approximately 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more than 100 international destinations through its leading online store at macys.com. Via its stores, e-commerce site, mobile and social platforms, Macy's offers distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Macy's flagship stores -- including Herald Square in New York City, Union Square in San Francisco, State Street in Chicago, Dadeland in Miami and South Coast Plaza in southern California -- are known internationally and are leading destinations for visitors. Building on a more than 150-year tradition, and with the collective support of customers, employees and Macy's Foundation, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities giving more than $70 million each year to help make a difference in the lives of our customers.
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Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and Top On-Air Radio Personality Bobby Bones Ink Long-Term Contract

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and Top On-Air Radio Personality Bobby Bones Ink Long-Term Contract

New York – June 18, 2014 –
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment (CCM+E), the leading media company in America with a greater reach than any radio or television outlet, today announced an exclusive long-term agreement with award-winning Country radio personality Bobby Bones to renew and expand his relationship with the company.
Under the new agreement, Bones will continue his current role as host of The Bobby Bones Show, which originates from WSIX in Nashville and is syndicated nationally by Premiere Networks on nearly 70 radio stations across America, reaching approximately three million weekly listeners. Bones will also continue hosting his weekend programs Country Top 30 with Bobby Bones, heard nationwide on more than 120 stations, and FOX Sports Radio’s Bobby Bones, which broadcasts on nearly 250 affiliates.
Bones, who hosted the first-ever iHeartRadio Country Festival in Austin, Texas, this past March, as well as iHeartRadio album release parties for top recording artists like Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney and Dierks Bentley, will also continue to work with CCM+E on a variety of joint ventures including multimedia projects and events, as well as the expansion of his top-rated radio programs.
“In just over a year Bobby and his morning show crew have proven they have a remarkable talent for entertaining and engaging the Country music community, while driving results for our partners,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel. “We’re committed to providing the best and most relevant programming to diverse audiences across America, and The Bobby Bones Show connects with listeners across multiple platforms. Bobby is an incredible talent and we look forward to collaborating on many exciting projects to come.”
“The past year with Clear Channel and Premiere has been a tremendous ride,” said Bobby Bones. “I started dreaming about a career in radio when I was about five years old -- if I’d known it was going to work out this well, I’d have started earlier. The whole crew on The Bobby Bones Show is grateful for the support we’ve received from Bob Pittman, Rich Bressler, Darren Davis, Julie Talbott, Jennifer Leimgruber, Rod Phillips and Clay Hunnicutt. We look forward to keeping it real with our audience as we grow.”
The new long-term partnership between Bobby Bones, CCM+E and Premiere Networks was overseen by Paul B. Anderson, Principal & CEO of Workhouse Media. “Bobby has the kind of personality that connects with a large national audience while keeping his connection to listeners genuine and personal, every day,” said Anderson.
The Bobby Bones Show joined Premiere Networks’ national lineup in 2011 and was nationally syndicated on CHR radio until February 2013, when the program transitioned to a Country format. Recently celebrating its one-year anniversary on Country radio, the program was co-honored with the 2014 Academy of Country Music Award for “National On-Air Personality of the Year.” The Bobby Bones Show is also top-rated in many markets and after one year, he is now Country radio’s leading morning personality. 
Broadcasting weekday mornings from 5 to 10 a.m. CT, Bobby Bones, Lunchbox and Amy welcome the biggest names in Country music and entertain listeners with their unique mix of pop-culture news and information, crazy stunts and hilarious conversations. In addition to broadcasting on Country radio stations nationwide, The Bobby Bones Show is also available on iHeartRadio.com and the iHeartRadio mobile app, Clear Channel’s all-in-one free digital listening service. 
About Bobby Bones

Born and raised in Arkansas, Bobby Bones began his radio career at Henderson State University’s KSH 91.1 The Switch at the age of 17, where he graduated with a degree in Radio/TV. During that time, he also worked at KLAZ 105.9 in Hot Springs, Ark., as a part-time air talent. In 2002, Bones was hired by Q100/KQAR in Little Rock, Ark., and The Bobby Bones Night Show was born. In 2003, Bones moved to Austin, Texas where he began hosting The Bobby Bones Show Monday through Friday from 5-10 a.m. CT on 96.7 KISS FM. Joined on-air by Lunchbox and Amy, they attracted listeners in droves, as well as top rankings in the market. For his work on the program, Bones was named “Austin Radio Personality of the Year” in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and Austin’s Alliance of Women in Media honored the program with their “Radio Personality of the Year” award seven years in a row.
 
After joining Premiere Networks’ national lineup in 2011, and switching to a Country format in February 2013, Bones also added a weekend Country countdown show to his resume. Country Top 30 with Bobby Bones, a four-hour music program, airs nationwide and features hosts Bones, Lunchbox and Amy as they showcase the top Country songs and go beyond the music to share conversations with the artists.
In 2014, Bobby Bones, Amy and Lunchbox were co-honored with the Academy of Country Music Award in the “National On-air Personality of the Year” category. Bones was also voted “Best Radio DJ” by readers of The Tennessean, and named one of Nashville Lifestyles’ “25 Most Beautiful People” in 2013.
In addition to his Country programs, Bones hosts a weekend sports talk program on FOX Sports Radio. Airing Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT, Bobby Bones features the latest sports, pop culture and entertainment news and conversations. 
Bones has appeared in both movies and on television, including Bandslam with Vanessa Hudgens, CNN, Live! with Kelly Ripa as a guest host, and Headline News as a recurring guest. Outside the studio, Bones spends a lot of time with his dog, Dusty, and is very active on social media, constantly engaging and interacting with listeners via Twitter and Facebook. He also enjoys exercising, reading, shopping and going to sporting events. For more information, please visit www.BobbyBones.com.
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Clear Channel Launches AuDiO a Groundbreaking Proprietary Radio Targeting Tool for Political Advertisers

Clear Channel Launches AuDiO, a Groundbreaking, Proprietary Radio Targeting Tool for Political Advertisers 
 
For the First Time, Political Candidates Will Have Access to Precise, Actionable Models to Reach Target Audiences via Radio
AuDiO (Audience Delivery Optimizer) Will Be Available for 2014 Campaigns Nationwide 
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 18, 2014 – In an industry first, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment (CCM+E) today launched the Audience Delivery Optimizer (AuDiO), a groundbreaking, proprietary radio targeting tool developed specifically for political advertisers.
 
This first-of-its-kind radio optimization tool enables local and national political campaigns across the country to precisely target key voter segments using radio — which was confirmed by recent research to be one of the most effective and efficient consumer advertising vehicles. AuDiO will be available to political candidates nationwide for the 2014 campaign cycle.
 
AuDiO matches key information about 245 million Americans who listen to Clear Channel’s 840 U.S. terrestrial radio stations to leading political databases to make actionable predictions about which desired voter segment is listening to which stations at which times.
 
Using the 10 most common political segments (from “Super Democrats” to “Ultra Conservatives”[1]) AuDiO can ascertain how many target voters radio reaches in any political district around the country. Moreover, AuDiO can identify the media preferences of any target segment, giving advertisers key information about which media are best to reach which voters. AuDiO works at all levels of national, statewide and local elections.
 
The launch of AuDiO means that Clear Channel is now uniquely able to match broadcast listener data – for any of its 840 stations, at any time of day and in any political district nationwide – to multiple third-party data sources to identify which listeners fall into any given political district and, within that district’s listening audience, which segments are present and in what numbers.
 
In a recent Clear Channel study using data from Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District, AuDiO revealed that a key swing voter segment there, representing 11 percent of all voters in that district, spend more time listening to radio than they do with any other medium. The same research showed Clear Channel stations reach 95 percent of these voters.
 
“Ninety-two percent of Americans listen to radio every month — but despite radio’s incredible reach, campaigns have never had a tool like AuDiO for radio before,” said Nathan Daschle, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment's Executive Vice President for Political Strategy. “AuDiO takes the guesswork out of radio buying by replacing wild hunches with actionable and precise models so that campaigns know which of their desired target audiences are listening, when and to whom. This means that campaigns, political parties and other groups across America have the ability to use radio in a much smarter way to reach their target voters.”
 
“For decades, political campaigns were forced to rely on generic and outdated demographic information to guess which radio stations reached which voters,” said Sara Fagen, Founder of Deep Root Analytics and former Political Director for President George W. Bush. “Tools like AuDiO are changing that. They allow political strategists to more efficiently target the actual people who will determine the outcome of an election.”
 
The launch of AuDiO follows the recent results of a study undertaken by Nielsen Catalina Solutions, which revealed that radio offers the highest return on investment of any medium. Brands included in that study averaged sales lift of more than six dollars for every dollar spent on radio ads, “an ROI double that of even the best results of many recent studies of digital or TV media,” according to Advertising Age magazine.
 
“This new platform addresses a critical need, not just for political advertisers, but for the radio industry as a whole,” said Radha Subramanyam, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Research at Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. “AuDiO changes radio advertising in the same way Rentrak changed TV buying. It is just the most recent enhancement to radio measurement and analysis.”
[1] The 10 segments are: Super Democrats, Conservative Democrats, Left Out Democrats, On the Fence Liberals, Green Traditionalists, Informed but Unregistered, Unconnected and Unregistered, Uninvolved Conservatives, Mild Republicans, and Ultra Conservatives.
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iHeartRadio Surpasses 50 Million Registered Users

iHeartRadio Surpasses 50 Million Registered Users 
Digital Radio Platform Reaches 50 Million Milestone in Just Three Years – Faster Than Any Other Digital Music Service and Even Faster than Twitter and Facebook
class="page-strong">NEW YORK - June 17, 2014 - iHeartRadio, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s digital music and live radio streaming service, today announced that it has surpassed 50 million registered users. iHeartRadio reached this milestone in just three years -- faster than any other streaming music platform and even faster than Twitter and Facebook. This figure does not account for the millions of users who listen to the service’s live radio functionality without registering, indicating that the app’s total reach is even greater.
Originally launched in 2011, the iHeartRadio brand has experienced an exceptionally successful past year, launching a user-generated audiosode feature, numerous partner integrations including Apple, Amazon and Samsung and hosted its first nationally televised primetime awards show. In addition, iHeartRadio Network visitors soared to more than 97 million monthly uniques in May 2014, setting a new record for the service.
“Less than three years ago Clear Channel launched the new iHeartRadio with the goal of reinventing the digital radio experience and reimagining the boundaries of broadcast radio,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel. “Clear Channel’s passionate industry leading radio programmers combined with innovative technology-driven enhancements have shaped a truly unmatched all-in-one streaming service that has allowed iHeartRadio to achieve widespread adoption in record time.”
iHeartRadio continues to grow rapidly. In just three years, it has reached nearly 70 percent consumer brand awareness and has become a leading brand among digital streaming services. The app has more than 345 million downloads across a broad spectrum of platforms and has amassed 15.4 billion social impressions across its signature events. These events -- including the iHeartRadio Music Festival, Ultimate Pool Party and iHeartRadio Music Awards -- serve to bring the music of the iHeartRadio app to life while fostering brand awareness. iHeartRadio also extended its reach to television. In the last 18 months, 17 telecasts and eight original programs have aired on major broadcast networks including NBC and The CW Network.
iHeartRadio is available on more than 35 devices across web, mobile phones, tablets, automotive partners, smart TVs, gaming devices and more. iHeartRadio is always free for listeners to use, with no capped hours or monthly subscription fees.
The iHeartRadio app, which reached its first 20 million registered users faster than any digital service in Internet history, delivers everything listeners want in an all-in-one platform: Instant access to more than 1,500 radio stations from across the country, user-created Custom Stations inspired by a favorite artist or song, thousands of curated digital stations "Perfect For" any mood or activity, and the new Shows & Personalities feature giving users access to the best on-demand news, talk and entertainment content available today. To see all available platforms and to download the app, visit iHeartRadio.com/apps.
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Introducing iHeartRadio 5.0, Offering a More Personalized Listening Experience for Users

Introducing iHeartRadio 5.0, Offering a More Personalized Listening Experience for Users

App Launches “For You” Feature, New User Interface And Enhanced Music Discovery Capabilities

Coming Soon to iHeartRadio — Chromecast Support

NEW YORK - June 16, 2014 – iHeartRadio, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s free digital music service, today launched iHeartRadio 5.0 for iOS and Android, focused on bringing iHeartRadio users an even more personalized listening experience with enhanced algorithms. Among the new algorithm updates to the digital radio service is the “For You” feature, which adds a genre selection tool for improved, more tailored station recommendations. iHeartRadio 5.0 will also include a sleeker, more beautiful and intuitive UI, improved search and simplified controls.

“iHeartRadio 5.0 features a significant upgrade to the way we serve our listeners” said Brian Lakamp, Clear Channel’s President of Digital. “We’ve been working diligently to personalize iHeartRadio and give our listeners more of the artists, the music and the kind of listening experience they want. iHeartRadio 5.0 accomplishes that by introducing recommendations, more intelligent design and a better user experience overall.”

 
Once downloaded, new iHeartRadio users will be prompted to select their favorite music genres. Available categories will include: top 40 and pop, country, hip hop and R&B, rock, alternative, news and talk, sports, Christian and gospel, Spanish, dance, oldies, classic rock, mix and variety, soft rock, jazz, classical, comedy, world, college radio, and reggae and island. Users can easily access the new For You feature that will bring back recommendations based on location, genres you have chosen and music you have previously listened to and thumbed up, as well as recently played Custom and Live Stations.
 
iHeartRadio 5.0 is available for download now on Android and will be available next week for iOS users. In the coming months the new user-interface will become available across more devices, including Chromecast support and other in-home integrations, to deliver a consistent iHeartRadio experience for music lovers, no matter their location or listening device. 
 
The iHeartRadio app provides access to more than 1,500 radio stations from across the country; user-created Custom Stations inspired by a favorite artist or song; thousands of curated digital stations "Perfect For" any mood or activity; and the new Shows & Personalities feature giving users access to the best on-demand news, talk and entertainment content available today. Other optimized features include the ability to save and easily access station Favorites, skip songs on Custom Stations, and thumbs up or thumbs down songs to improve recommendations. The app is 100 percent free with no subscription or capped hours.
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Pepsi Presents The "iHeartRadio Album Release Party With Ed Sheeran" Hosted By Mario Lopez

Pepsi Presents The "iHeartRadio Album Release Party With Ed Sheeran" Hosted By Mario Lopez

Event Features a Sneak Peak Behind the iHeartRadio Music Festival 2014 Lineup Announcing Ed Sheeran as its First Released Performer

New York, N.Y. – May 27, 2014 – Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announced today the "Pepsi Presents iHeartRadio Album Release Party with Ed Sheeran" on Tuesday, June 17 at the iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles. 

The iHeartRadio Album Release Party will bring Pepsi and Ed Sheeran fans a first listen of the global superstar's new album, "x," (pronounced 'multiply') set to be released June 23. Pepsi and Clear Channel will also share a sneak peak into the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival lineup -- announcing Ed Sheeran as the first released performer. As part of Pepsi’s culture of bringing music fans closer to their favorite artists, the event will feature a live performance and Q&A with the three-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter, discussing his second studio album, hosted by on-air talent and TV personality Mario Lopez.

"Clear Channel has been a huge supporter of Ed Sheeran since the beginning, we helped him launch his career in the United States and have watched him become a world-phenomenon," said Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment.  "We are thrilled to be a cornerstone in launching his new album 'x' with an iHeartRadio Album Release Party and can't wait for him to hit the stage at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas this September."

The iHeartRadio Album Release Party with Ed Sheeran will broadcast on-air as a 30-minute special across Clear Channel Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) and Hot-AC stations, with a 60-minute stream online across station websites and iHeartRadio on Monday, June 23.  Video streaming details will be announced at a later date.

The fourth annual, star-studded iHeartRadio Music Festival and Village will return to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 19 and 20, 2014.

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Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Launches iHeartRadio Hispanic Network With Exclusive Content From Grupo Radio Centro and Grupo Radio Mexico

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Launches iHeartRadio Hispanic Network With Exclusive Content From Grupo Radio Centro and Grupo Radio Mexico
 
Ground-breaking Digital Network to Feature Grupo Radio Centro, Grupo Radio Mexico Stations and El Show Del Mandril to Provide Greater Access to Hispanic Programming Across the U.S.
 
NEW YORK and MEXICO CITY – May 8, 2014 – Clear Channel Media and Entertainment (CCM+E), the leading media company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any radio or television outlet, today announced the launch of the iHeartRadio Hispanic Network. Serving Hispanics across the U.S., the iHeartRadio Hispanic Network will include a unique collection of assets  providing advertising partners large-scale reach to nearly 90 percent of the U.S. Spanish and English-speaking Hispanic population.
 
Grupo Radio Centro (GRC), the leading radio broadcasting company in Mexico with an unmatched coverage of the largest Mexican markets, will serve as the foundation partner and representative in Mexico of the network, providing live broadcasts from some of Mexico’s top-rated radio stations.  The company’s Mexico City cluster includes 12 radio stations, 6FM/6AM with a 57% audience share and 80% audience.  Grupo Radio Centro is the only radio company with unmatched coverage in the four largest Mexican-populated markets in the world consisting of Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Los Angeles, the largest Mexican-populated-market in the USA and number-one market in radio revenue in the USA.
 
The agreement will provide exclusive digital distribution for all GRC stations, including regional Mexican station KXOS in Los Angeles and the most-listened-to Spanish language program in America, “El Show Del Mandril,” for which the two companies recently inked a U.S. national sales and distribution deal via Clear Channel’s syndication company Premiere Networks. In addition, GRC’s parent company Grupo Radio Mexico (GRM), which owns and operates 51 radio stations across multiple formats in 13 Mexican markets -- including the leading station cluster in Monterrey and Guadalajara -- will also be available on iHeartRadio wherever it is offered, including the web, mobile, gaming, home entertainment and automotive.
 
In addition, beginning later this year, iHeartRadio will become the exclusive digital ad sales provider for these market-leading Mexican stations.  In an industry first, Clear Channel will replace all local Mexican station ads with consumer-targeted U.S. ads. This also marks the first time iHeartRadio will provide U.S. listeners with radio broadcasts from leading stations throughout the Mexican Republic.
 
"This is the second step in the groundbreaking partnership between our two companies,” said Francisco Aguirre, Chairman/CEO, GRC.  “Bob Pittman and I share a vision to expand both companies beyond their respective borders in a very fast paced and evolving digital landscape. Our Mexico stations are market leaders across all demographics and we look forward to their natural expansion in the U.S. through the iHeartRadio Hispanic Network.”
 
“There is a population of more than 50 million Hispanics in the U.S. – with 65 percent being of Mexican descent,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman/CEO, Clear Channel.  “This unique partnership represents a key milestone in Mexico/U.S. broadcasting, allowing Clear Channel for the first time to offer this key demographic exclusive access to the most popular Mexican stations from anywhere across the U.S. with the iHeartRadio Hispanic Network, in addition to providing our partners with unprecedented access to the Hispanic community.”
 
 The iHeartRadio app, which reached its first 20 million registered users faster than any digital service in Internet history, delivers everything listeners want in an all-in-one platform: instant access to thousands of radio stations, user-created Custom Stations inspired by a favorite artist or song, thousands of curated digital stations “Perfect For” any mood or activity, and the new Shows & Personalities feature giving users access to the best on-demand news, talk and entertainment content available today. To see all available platforms and to download the app, visit iHeartRadio.com/apps.

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New Study From Marketing Evolution and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Shows Including Radio In Media Campaigns Significantly Improves Consumer Awareness

New Study From Marketing Evolution and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Shows Including Radio In Media Campaigns Significantly Improves Consumer Awareness
 
New York – May 7, 2014 – Marketing Evolution, industry experts in conducting real-time cross-media measurement for brands, and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, the leading media company in America with a greater reach than any radio or television outlet, today released a study demonstrating the effectiveness of radio in building brand awareness and delivering against client goals when included as a significant part of their media campaigns.
 
The study measured the ROI on a new menu awareness marketing campaign for Romano's Macaroni Grill, which ran across national cable television networks and four targeted Clear Channel radio markets – Tampa, Fla.; Cleveland, Ohio; Denver, Colo.; and Dallas, Texas – from September 16, 2013 through October 13, 2013 targeting adults 25 – 54 years of age.  The study showed that radio ads are extremely successful in 'sonic branding' efforts and drove an actual increase in Top of Mind Awareness for Macaroni Grill — and that TV and radio work well together when consumers are exposed to both.   In addition, Marketing Evolution's research showed that combining TV and radio marketing would yield higher Top of Mind Awareness scores with no additional investment.
 
"This study is crucial in showing the power that radio has to connect with consumers," said Tim Castelli, President of National Sales, Marketing and Partnerships for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment.  "This research proves that audio advertising is very effective, especially when combined with TV ads, in having a significant influence on diners' decisions on where to eat."
 
Key insights and findings from the study include:
For Macaroni Grill, modeling demonstrates that more impact was achieved with a 77 percent TV and 23 percent radio campaign-spend mix.


Radio is effective in communicating the "Great Taste" message for Macaroni Grill.
The campaign significantly increased Top of Mind Awareness (+8 points) for Romano's Macaroni Grill in the radio test markets.
Combining radio with TV had a stronger impact on Top of Mind Awareness per exposure than just TV alone.
The Marketing Evolution model shows that the 60-second radio spots were as cost effective as the 15-second TV ads and conveys longer, more custom engaging messages that drive consumer action.
The campaign areas that included radio impacted all stages of the purchase funnel, from brand awareness and affinity, to actual sales.
Details on the Research Study:
Many restaurant marketers seek to increase Top of Mind Awareness because when consumers are considering options of where to dine out, the restaurants that are top of mind get a higher percentage of sales. For many large restaurant marketers, the standard strategy for building Top of Mind Awareness is to turn to television advertising. The research asked, "What is the value of augmenting the standard TV strategy with another medium, such as radio?" Clear Channel, an expert in effective audio advertising, designed 60-second radio advertisements to run in the above test markets; Marketing Evolution then measured whether radio drove an incremental impact on Top of Mind Awareness.
 
Marketing Evolution also sought to compare the cost benefit of a TV-only strategy versus a combined TV and radio approach. It found that the 60-second, well designed radio advertisements added meaningful value to Romano's Macaroni Grill campaign of 15 second TV ads; models based on actual test results showed that the marketer could boost impact by 34 percent with a mix of 77 percent TV and 23 percent radio advertisements. This research did not examine the role of other media beyond TV and radio in the mix, as the purpose of the research was to focus on whether radio could complement TV for a restaurant advertiser seeking to increase Top of Mind Awareness.
 
"This research reinforces the power of surround sound marketing," said Rex Briggs, CEO of Marketing Evolution. "In this case, we saw that TV alone isn't as powerful as a combination of TV and radio advertising. Food-oriented marketers should take note: well-constructed, longer form audio ads, such as the 60 second ads created by Clear Channel for Romano's Macaroni Grill, can add meaningful value for marketers." 
 
"The test with Clear Channel provided us with valuable learnings," said Eric Solomon, Senior Vice President and Managing Partner for Universal McCann.  "As the study showed, adding radio to the mix can positively impact not only short term retail traffic objectives, but branding and sales metrics as well.  We definitely take these learnings to heart, and in the future, will surely include radio in our consideration set as we work to achieve all of our clients' goals."

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NBC, Clear Channel Renew iHeartRadio Music Awards For 2015

NBC, Clear Channel Renew iHeartRadio Music Awards For 2015
 
Thursday's Show-Stopping Three-Hour Live Telecast Brought Top Recording Artists Together for Memorable Inaugural Event
 
Universal City, Calif — May 6, 2014 — Coming off its highly successful inaugural telecast Thursday night, NBC has announced it will pick up the iHeartRadio Music Awards for 2015.
 
The iHeartRadio Music Awards, which was presented by Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, was also broadcast on Clear Channel radio stations nationwide and the iHeartRadio digital music platform. The event took place at the Shrine Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles and paid homage to the City of Angels.
 
The iHeartRadio Music Awards brought together the top names in music, and included electrifying performances by Shakira, Pharrell Williams, Blake Shelton, Kendrick Lamar, Pitbull and Thirty Seconds to Mars. It also marked the debut of a new Michael Jackson song, "Love Never Felt So Good."
 
The three-hour telecast on NBC improved by 55% on the network's Thursday night average since the Winter Olympics in the key demographic of adults 18-49 (with a 1.7 rating vs. an average 1.1).
 
Said USA Today of Thursday's telecast: "The three-hour event was chock-full of showstopping turns from Arcade Fire, Ariana Grande and Thirty Seconds to Mars, to name a few. But rapper Kendrick Lamar may have delivered the evening's most inspired performance with his cover of Tupac Shakur's 'California Love,' tipping his hat to his West Coast roots and bringing nearly the entire auditorium to its feet."
 
Among the many winners, as chosen by fans using hashtags to cast more than 65 million votes across Facebook and Twitter, were Rihanna for artist of the year, Lorde for best new artist, Rihanna's "Stay" for song of the year and "Demons," from the Imagine Dragons, for alt rock song of the year. The iHeartRadio Music Awards also generated an incredible social footprint: The award show was a dominant social media topic throughout the week of the show, with #iHeartAwards trending No. 1 on Twitter throughout the night. 
 
"We are incredibly proud of last week's show and our collaboration with Clear Channel. We brought together the most relevant musicians of our time for a special and very successful evening and can't wait to do it again," said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. "Between 'The Voice,' 'Saturday Night Live,' 'The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon' and our other terrific late night and special programs, we have become the network that attracts music fans of all ages."
 
"The iHeartRadio Music Awards established some amazing benchmarks in its inaugural year," said John Sykes, President of Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises. "The feedback from artists, music labels, and most importantly, fans and viewers made it clear that the new approach we took in creating a show truly powered by the fans could deliver results."
 
The iHeartRadio Music Awards were executive produced by John Sykes and Tom Poleman of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, Ryan Seacrest Productions and Ian Stewart and Hamish Hamilton of Done and Dusted Inc., who produced the show for Universal Television. Hamilton served as director.

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Third Annual iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party Presented by Visit Florida Returns to Fontainebleau’s Bleaulive – And Now With Two Nights Of Performances

Third Annual iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party Presented by Visit Florida Returns to Fontainebleau’s Bleaulive – And Now With Two Nights Of Performances
 
Jennifer Lopez, Neon Trees, Tiësto, Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea, Lil Jon and More to Perform Live
Clear Channel Stations Across the Country Will Give Away Ultimate Weekend Pool Party Packages Through National On-Air and Online Promotion
 
New York, NY – May 5, 2014 – iHeartRadio, Clear Channel’s industry-leading digital radio service, and the legendary Fontainebleau Miami Beach today announced the third annual iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party presented by VISIT FLORIDA, a two-day musical weekend hosted by Nick Cannon on June 27-28 as part of the Fontainebleau’s BleauLive concert series. The weekend will feature performances at Fontainebleau by Jennifer Lopez, Neon Trees, Tiësto, Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea and Lil Jon, with more performers and special presenters to be announced.
 
New this year, the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party will feature two nights of all-star performances. The event will kick off Friday, June 27, with exclusive performances by Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea and Lil Jon at the resort’s legendary pool. The ultimate getaway weekend will continue on Saturday with an all-day pool party featuring sets by iHeartRadio's house DJs. The weekend will finish with its second live concert event that evening featuring Tiësto, Jennifer Lopez and Neon Trees. For the second consecutive year, the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party will air as an exclusive television broadcast nationally on The CW Network.
 
To promote the event, Clear Channel launched a national on-air and online promotion across more than 140 of its mainstream and rhythmic Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR), HOT-AC and Electronic Dance Music (EDM) stations beginning today. More than 150 iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party packages, which include round-trip airfare, two-night hotel accommodations for two and access to all the weekend's events, will be given away now through June 13.  One Grand Prize Winner will be chosen to receive a fantasy all-access experience with three friends which will include being flown to Miami on a private luxury jet, a suite at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, a private pool-side cabana and exclusive once in a lifetime artist experiences.
 
"The iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party brings memorable, over the top artist experiences to our listeners and continues to be a huge success year after year," said Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment.  "Connecting our fans to the music they love across our radio stations no matter where they are and then bringing that music to life at our iconic events is what iHeartRadio is all about."
 
For the second year, iHeartRadio's Ultimate Pool Party will be presented by VISITFLORIDA.com, which will run an iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party VIP sweepstakes May 5 through June 6. The VIP package will include air transportation and accommodations, a $500 gift card and a 2014 Mazda 6 car. Participants can enter to win at VISITFLORIDA.com. New sponsors to this year's iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party event include Caress and Cutex, with other exciting brand activations to be announced.
 
"This event is a great way for Florida to connect with millennial travelers and showcase the fun destinations found around the Sunshine State," said Paul Phipps, Chief Marketing Officer at VISIT FLORIDA.
 
For details on how to purchase a weekend getaway package to the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party complete with ocean view accommodations, general admission tickets and much more, visit BleauLive.com or call 1.800.548.8886.
 
The iHeartRadio app, which reached its first 20 million registered users faster than any digital service in Internet history, delivers everything listeners want in an all-in-one platform: Instant access to more than 1,500 radio stations from across the country, user-created Custom Stations inspired by a favorite artist or song, thousands of curated digital stations "Perfect For" any mood or activity, and the new Shows & Personalities feature giving users access to the best on-demand news, talk and entertainment content available today. To see all available platforms and to download the app, visit iHeartRadio.com/apps.
 
The iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party presented by VISIT FLORIDA at Fontainebleau is a Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Production.  For more information visit iHeartRadio.com.
 
About Fontainebleau Miami Beach
A spectacular blend of Golden Era glamour and modern luxury, Fontainebleau Miami Beach merges striking design, contemporary art, music, fashion and technology into a vibrant guest experience. A revered landmark and symbol of style and sophistication since its opening in 1954, Fontainebleau Miami Beach boasts 1,504 guestrooms and suites appointed with lavish amenities and iMacs; the world-renowned LIV Nightclub, 12 restaurants and lounges including two AAA Four Diamond signature restaurants, Scarpetta and Hakkasan; the 40,000-square-foot Lapis spa with mineral-rich water therapies and invigorating treatments; a dramatic oceanfront pool-scape offering lush cabanas and sun loungers; and is home to BleauLive, the innovative concert series that combines intimate performances with memorable weekend escapes.

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