Tech

New York and Los Angeles – March 1, 2018 – Variety, the most authoritative source for entertainment business news, and iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any other media outlet, today announced a joint venture to co-produce PLAYBACK, a film-focused podcast hosted by Variety Awards Editor Kris Tapley, and relaunch the weekly podcast on iHeartRadio, the free all-in-one digital music, podcast and live streaming radio service. New PLAYBACK episodes will release every Thursday on iHeartRadio, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with the talents behind many of today's hottest movies.

As part of the collaboration, Variety and iHeartMedia will co-produce a 40-episode season which kicks off today with heavy digital and social promotional support on both platforms. iHeartMedia will also produce custom vignettes that will air across its digital network and broadcast radio stations, introducing the podcast to its more than a quarter of a billion monthly listeners across the country. In anticipation of this weekend’s 90th Academy Awards ceremony, the first co-produced special edition episode of PLAYBACK features a compilation of Tapley’s “best of” interview moments with Academy Award nominees. Guest highlights include Jordan Peele, Daniel Kaluuya, Kumail Nanjiani, Dee Rees, James Mangold, Willem Dafoe, Christopher Nolan, Guillermo del Toro, Sam Rockwell, Martin McDonagh, Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Gary Oldman, and Aaron Sorkin. Upcoming guests will also include Ava DuVernay on March 8 and David Oyelowo on March 15.

"Aligning ourselves with the premiere media and entertainment company with the largest audience reach across digital and radio provides a tremendous opportunity for Variety," said Michelle Sobrino-Stearns, Variety's Group Publisher and CRO. "It is exciting for us to bring our esteemed journalists like Kris Tapley to iHeartMedia’s mass consumer audience."

Tapley has covered the film industry and entertainment awards landscape since 2001. Formerly the editor-at-large for HitFix.com, his work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Times of London and Los Angeles Magazine. He also surveys the Oscar and Emmy seasons under his own "In Contention" banner at Variety.

“We are excited to partner with Variety to bring this top film-focused podcast to the masses just in time for the Oscars,” said Adrienne Pabst, Senior Vice President of Connections for iHeartMedia. “iHeartMedia delivers more hours of live programming than any other media company. Our listeners rely on and trust us for the latest information from news and sports to music, entertainment and gossip, making us the perfect platform to relaunch PLAYBACK’s engaging content to millions of listeners, many who are discovering podcasting for the first time.”

iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s free all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service, is dedicated to providing an all-in-one listening experience that helps users discover new podcasts alongside their favorite live radio stations, personalities and on-demand music.  With iHeartRadio, listeners can enjoy their music and podcasts across more than 230 device platforms including in-car, in-home, on wearables, across gaming consoles and more – making their favorite audio content available everywhere they are, on the devices they use most. Visit iHeart.com/apps to download and listen to PLAYBACK your favorite device now.

About Variety
Variety remains the seminal voice of the entertainment industry for 113 years and counting. Featuring award-winning breaking news reporting, insightful award-season coverage, must-read feature spotlights and intelligent analysis of the industry’s most prominent players, Variety is the trusted source for the business of global entertainment. Read by a highly engaged audience of industry insiders, Variety’s multi-platform content coverage expands across digital, mobile, social, print and branded events and summits.

In 2015 and 2016 Variety’s “Actors on Actors” on PBS was awarded the Emmy for best entertainment programming at the Television Academy’s 67th and 68th Los Angeles area Emmy Awards. “Actors on Actors,” an interview special that features pairings of prominent actors discussing their craft, was produced by PBS SoCal in partnership with Variety Media, LLC. FollowVariety on Facebook facebook.com/variety; Twitter, @variety; Instagram, @Variety The Variety Group – Variety, Variety.com, Variety Insight, Indiewire, LA 411, NY 411 – is owned by Variety Media, LLC, a division of Penske Media Corporation.

Timberlake and iHeartRadio to Gift Fans Album On-Demand Via an “iHeartRadio All Access FREE Preview Weekend” February 2 - 4

WHAT:    

iHeartMedia has teamed up with Justin Timberlake to debut Man of the Woods on-air and digitally during an “iHeartRadio Album Preview with Justin Timberlake,” a 60-minute broadcast special featuring songs from the album as well as an exclusive interview between Timberlake and iHeartMedia’s nationally syndicated on-air personality Elvis Duran. Streaming on iHeartRadio’s Hit Nation and broadcasting to tens of millions of listeners nationwide on more than 130 iHeartMedia Pop and Hot AC radio stations, listeners will be taken inside the songs and hear stories behind the making of the album.
 
As a gift to fans, Man of the Woods will be available to stream on demand through iHeartRadio as soon as the album drops on February 2 during the “iHeartRadio All Access FREE Preview Weekend." Plus, listeners can binge all of their favorite Justin Timberlake music as well as all the other music on iHeartRadio on demand - for free – during the “iHeartRadio All Access FREE Preview Weekend."
 
 

WHEN:    

“iHeartRadio Album Preview with Justin Timberlake” live, February 2 at 8 p.m. local
 
Stream Man of the Woods on demand with iHeartRadio upon release beginning at midnight ET on February 2, 2018
 
Hear your favorite songs on demand, all free during iHeartRadio’s All Access FREE Preview Weekend: February 2 – 4
 
 

LISTEN:    

“iHeartRadio Album Preview with Justin Timberlake” Radio and Digital Broadcast: Nationwide on iHeartMedia’s Pop and Hot AC broadcast stations and iHeartRadio’s Hit Nation; replay on iHeartRadio through February 9 here.
                       
Listen to Man of the Woods on demand with iHeartRadio All Access: http://www.iheartradio.com/JT

Integrations include Facebook Messenger, Roku, Bixby, General Motors, Ford, Jibo and Garmin 

LAS VEGAS – January 8, 2018 – iHeartMedia today announced multiple new integrations for iHeartRadio, the company’s free all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service, during the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Listeners will have the ability to access iHeartRadio through a bot for Facebook Messenger; Samsung’s new voice service, Bixby; Jibo, the first social robot for the home; Garmin’s new GPS running watch, the Forerunner 645 Music; and Roku users will now have access to iHeartRadio’s full feature set. Additionally, through new automotive updates with General Motors and Ford, iHeartMedia continues its commitment to providing quality audio entertainment in-car by creating an easy-to-use iHeartRadio listening experience with safety in mind. 

iHeartRadio recently surpassed 110 million registered users, a milestone that it has reached faster than any other digital music service. In 2017, the company launched iHeartRadio All Access powered by Napster; became an industry leading podcast publisher; and topped 200 platform integrations, making iHeartRadio available in cars, at home, on wearables, via gaming consoles, through virtual assistants, and nearly everywhere listeners want to tune in. iHeartRadio is available in nearly all major OEMs and aftermarket products as well as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and more. In addition, iHeartMedia can be heard in every vehicle reaching more than a quarter of a billion people monthly through its 850 local radio stations nationwide. 

“In 2017, we built on iHeartRadio’s strong foundation of content access and discovery,” said Darren Davis, President of iHeartRadio and iHeartMedia Networks Group. “Consumers are taking advantage of the ease and ubiquity of virtual assistants, smart speakers, set-top boxes and other connected devices, and in doing so, they’re proving that audio is an important part of their day-to-day life. As we look ahead in 2018, we will continue to innovate – blending the iHeartRadio experience seamlessly into the way listeners use the influx of these new smart devices – and as always, make iHeartRadio easily available on the products and platforms they use most.” 

As the leading audio company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any other media outlet, iHeartMedia is uniquely poised to lead the way in a new era of media consumption – one where virtual assistants, smart speakers and wearables are experiencing explosive growth. By integrating with the most innovative devices on the market, iHeartRadio enables consumers to access the music, personalities and content they love, whenever and wherever they are. 

Full details on the integrations can be found below:

iHeartRadio bot for Messenger

iHeartRadio today announced the launch of its first bot, available on Facebook Messenger.  People can ask the iHeartRadio bot to hear music based on a specific genre or geographic location, and once selected iHeartRadio will serve up the perfect live radio station. Fans can also choose “iHeartRadio recommends” to hear a randomly chosen offering from one of iHeartRadio’s top ten most popular stations. iHeartRadio will also add more capabilities to the bot soon; fans will be able to ask the iHeartRadio bot to create custom radio stations based on an artist they choose and more.

iHeartRadio has a significant Facebook following, and the bot will make it easier than ever for fans of iHeartRadio to discover new songs and artists via Messenger, a platform where they already interact with friends and other brands.

Roku

Available now, Roku users will have access to all of the iHeartRadio features they love. Through a new update available to all Roku users, listeners can now subscribe and enjoy the benefits of iHeartRadio All Access including instant song playback, unlimited skips, saving and replaying songs from live radio, as well as on demand playlist playback and access to millions of artists and podcasts right from their TV.

Bixby from Samsung and Virtual Voice Assistants

iHeartRadio is now integrated with the Bixby service. Users can ask Bixby to play specific Live and iHeartRadio Original radio stations, create a Custom Artist station, and even set a sleep timer for Bixby to stop playing iHeartRadio after a set amount of time. Additionally, users can ask Bixby to like the song that is playing or skip a song. Bixby is currently available on Samsung Galaxy Note8, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Visit the Samsung Open IOT Zone at CES to experience iHeartRadio on the Family Hub: LVCC Central Hall, Booth #15006.

The addition of Bixby to iHeartRadio’s platform lineup marks the service’s availability on all major voice-activated virtual assistants including Alexa, Cortana and Google Assistant. Recently, iHeartRadio launched a new lineup of nearly a dozen Flash Briefings for Amazon Alexa equipped devices featuring iHeartRadio’s most popular shows and personalities including On Air With Ryan Seacrest, The Brokaw Report, The Rush Minute, several NBC New Radio category briefings and more. In 2018, iHeartRadio also will continue to develop original skills for virtual assistants that will allow listeners to engage with iHeartRadio via voice and allow brand partners the opportunity to integrate with iHeartRadio in innovative new ways. Previously released skills included iHeartRadio Music Awards Voting on Google Home, iHeartRadio Music Trivia, and seasonal skills like the popular iHeartRadio “Talk to Santa Claus” skill that debuted this December for Amazon Alexa users.

Jibo 

Over the holiday, iHeartRadio partnered with Jibo, the first social robot for the home, to launch Jibo Music, powered by iHeartRadio. When activated by voice commands or through the touch screen, Jibo can stream an iHeartRadio Original station from the user’s preferred music genre, or news and talk content from NPR and NBC News Radio. The robot will dance when Jibo Music launches or when a new song begins playing, giving listeners a fun and unique music experience. Experience the integration during CES at the Jibo Exhibit: LVCC South Hall 3, Booth #30332.

Garmin ® Forerunner 645 Music 

iHeartRadio will be available on the new Garmin Forerunner ® 645 Music, a GPS running watch with integrated music capabilities. As the first music partner available, iHeartRadio All Access users will be able to download playlists directly to the watch for offline listening. Additional details on the Forerunner 645 Music can be found at www.garmin.com. Experience the integration during CES at the Garmin Exhibit: LVCC South Hall 3, Booth #30317.

General Motors

iHeartRadio is now instantly available to more than a million of 4G-LTE connected Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicle owners directly on their digital dashboard.  iHeartRadio is a key music partner and the only pre-set music app GM has rolled-out via an over-the-air software update to the Shop and Collection in-vehicle platform. The iHeartRadio app will continue to be pre-installed on new GM vehicles throughout 2018.

Ford 

Ford will be the first OEM to fully integrate with iHeartRadio’s flagship mobile app, making all features available in car with safety in mind. This major upgrade to the Ford SYNC AppLink integration will bring the on-demand music functionality of iHeartRadio All Access into Ford vehicles allowing drivers to enjoy instant music replay, the ability to save songs from live radio and more. Users will also enjoy thousands of live radio stations from across the country, and the ability to access custom artist stations and playlists.

Visit the FordDev Exhibit at the Tech West Location in the Sands Expo Hall on Tuesday, January 9 from 2-6 p.m. for a live demo of the iHeartRadio integration and Thursday, January 11 in the LVCC Grand Lobby Ford exhibit from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a live DJ set by iHeartRadio.

CES attendees who would like to experience other iHeartRadio integrations can also visit the following booths: Google Home exhibit at the LVCC Central Plaza, Outside Booth #CP-21; Qualcomm Auto Exhibit at the LVCC North Hall, Booth #5616; and the Jaguar Land Rover mySPIN integration in the Bosch exhibit at the LVCC Central Hall, Booth #14028. 

Jibo Music available through a free, over-the-air software update and will showcase iHeartRadio original stations across genres as well as news and talk content

BOSTON - Dec. 13, 2017 - Jibo, Inc. today announced the launch of Jibo Music, available Monday, December 18 on all Jibo robots through a free, over-the-air software update. To launch Jibo Music, the company has teamed up with iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia's free all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service.

Jibo's expressive character is packed with personality and sets him apart from other technology products. Simply say, "Hey Jibo, play music" and Jibo will stream an iHeartRadio Original station from your favorite genre of music. Jibo will showcase his love of music with a short dance each time Jibo Music launches or when a new song starts to surprise and delight his family and friends.

Jibo Music will include a variety of music genres including pop, alternative, classic rock, jazz, country, dance, and hip-hop. Plus, Jibo will display the album artwork, song title, and artist name as the music plays. Jibo Music can also be accessed through Jibo's touch screen. In addition to music, Jibo can also play iHeartRadio's news and talk content from NPR and NBC News Radio. Jibo Music will focus on music and news at launch with additional programming to follow.

"The ability to play music via voice command is hugely attractive to consumers and the #1 requested skill customers want Jibo to provide," said Steve Chambers, Chief Executive Officer, Jibo, Inc. "We set out to create a different music experience that combines a variety of music genres, done the Jibo way: with killer dance moves, expanded programming content and on-screen visualizations over time – and iHeartRadio is a perfect launch partner for Jibo Music. This is the first of many new skills that we're rolling out to Jibo owners via free, over-the-air software updates over the coming months."

"Jibo has moves! We are excited to provide the music to really help showcase his dancing skills and to get Jibo's friends and family moving along with him," said Jessica Jerrick, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Partnerships, iHeartMedia. "iHeartRadio is committed to providing the very best music, news and entertainment to listeners everywhere they are. Jibo is fun and innovative, and we are glad that iHeartRadio is the launch partner for Jibo Music."

In addition to playing music, Jibo can answer a wide variety of questions, play the role of photographer at your next party, help you stay updated on a loved one's flight status, and control your smart home devices through an integration with IFTTT.
Jibo was built by some of the most respected minds in social robotics and artificial intelligence, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor and industry pioneer, Cynthia Breazeal. He was recently named one the "Best Inventions of 2017" by TIME Magazine, appearing on the publication's cover for the double issue.  

To learn more about Jibo or order a Jibo, visit www.jibo.com.

About Jibo, Inc.

Founded in 2012, Jibo, Inc. is widely known for creating the eponymous robot, Jibo: the first social robot for the home. Jibo is built to interact and communicate with the people around him, and he uses advanced Natural Language Understanding (NLU) along with speech and facial recognition to forge relationships with his family. Jibo, Inc. officially launched Jibo to the public in 2017 after nearly three years of intensive development and optimization. The company is privately held and headquartered in Boston, with additional offices in the Silicon Valley.

Starting its Rollout to X1 Customers Today, iHeartRadio Will Offer A Premier Listening Destination, Featuring Live Radio Stations From Across the Country Accessible via the X1 Voice Remote and Integrated Throughout Xfinity On Demand

PHILADELPHIA, PA and NEW YORK, NY – November 29, 2017 – Comcast and iHeartMedia today announced a partnership that will make iHeartRadio, the free all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service, available on Xfinity X1, giving people a new way to enjoy more than 1,000 radio stations from across the country – directly on their TV – with custom artist radio stations, playlists, podcasts and more iHeartRadio favorites coming soon.  According to Nielsen, nearly half of all music listening (44%) happens in the home.  

Beginning today and rolling out to capable X1 set-top boxes in the coming weeks, customers of both services will be able to use their voice remote to launch iHeartRadio or browse and select stations integrated throughout related sections of Xfinity On Demand.  

“We are excited to team up with Comcast to bring iHeartMedia’s massive catalog of live radio stations to the highly innovate Xfinity X1 platform,” said Michele Laven, President of Strategic Partnerships Group for iHeartMedia. “We will continue to push boundaries and explore new opportunities for consumers to interact with the iHeartRadio brand. Our goal is to ensure that the music and trusted personalities our listeners love are seamlessly available whenever and wherever they are, across the products and services they use most. The new iHeartRadio X1 integration is a perfect addition to our platform offerings that we know listeners will love.”  

Following the initial roll out, iHeartRadio will continue to expand the music offering available on X1, including iHeartRadio’s curated playlists, custom artist radio stations, podcasts, as well as the ability to call up a specific station or DJ directly with the voice remote.  Specifically, customers will be able to:

• Listen to their favorite radio stations by saying “Listen to iHeartRadio” into the voice remote, or by navigating to the iHeartRadio app located in the apps section of X1. Future phases of the app will include the ability to search and access popular stations and DJs by saying voice commands like, “New York’s Z100 on iHeartRadio,” “Chicago’s 103.5 KISS FM on iHeartRadio,” or “Listen to Elvis Duran on iHeartRadio.”
• Explore and listen to curated playlists and individual stations integrated throughout the Xfinity On Demand menu. For example, during the week of the Country Music Awards, customers might find featured country music stations within the music section of Xfinity On Demand.
• Find and keep a list of favorites, including their hometown station, for quick access.  X1 customers can listen to all of iHeartRadio’s live radio stations without any signup, but users can also sign-in to their iHeartRadio account to access their personalized listening experience.

“Music continues to be an important part of the X1 in-home entertainment experience, and we are providing X1 customers with even more choice in how, when and where they enjoy it,” said Nancy Spears, Vice President, Digital Media Distribution and Monetization, Comcast Cable. “Whether they are looking for background music or want to entertain a crowd, the addition of iHeartRadio to X1 will add even more value to their Xfinity TV subscription, and continue to differentiate X1 as the go-to destination in the home for accessing all of their favorite content in one place.”   

About Comcast
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal.  Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand, and also provides these services to businesses.  It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the XFINITY brand.  NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.  

On Air Special to include Exclusive Never-before-heard Audio From Taylor Swift’s Secret Session And Will Broadcast Across iHeartRadio Stations Nationwide On November 10
 
WHAT:

iHeartMedia presents an exclusive iHeartRadio reputation Album Release Party with Taylor Swift Presented by AT&T, in celebration of her new album, reputation, due out November 10 via Big Machine. Beginning at midnight ET on November 10, iHeartRadio’s Pop and Hot AC stations across the country will play a new track off of reputation at the top of every hour leading up to the hour long on air special at 8pm local time. Fans will have a chance to hear directly from Taylor Swift as she introduces songs and exclusively discusses never-before-heard details about the making of the year’s most anticipated album.
 
The on air, hour long special will broadcast to tens of millions of listeners nationwide across 126 iHeartRadio Pop and Hot AC stations and digitally on iHeartRadio.com.
 
WHO:

Taylor Swift’s chart-topping first single, “Look What You Made Me Do,” from her critically acclaimed sixth album, reputation, broke multiple records within hours of its release. With over 10 million streams, it is the most-streamed song in a one-day period ever, the lyric video for “Look What You Made Me Do” broke the standing record with over 19 million views, while the music video shattered the original most viewed video (28 million) record with 43.2 million views in only 24 hours.
 
Taylor is the only artist in history to have three albums selling over one million copies in their first week of release (2010's Speak Now, 2012's RED and 2014's 1989). Taylor is a ten-time GRAMMY winner, a singer, songwriter, musician and producer.  She is the youngest person in history to win the music industry's highest honor, The GRAMMY Award for Album of the year and she is the first female solo artist to win this prestigious award twice. Rolling Stone listed Taylor as one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. Time magazine has named her one the of the 100 Most Influential People in the world and one of only eight candidates for their most prestigious honor, 2014 Person of the Year. A Brit and Emmy award winner, Taylor is Billboard's youngest-ever Woman of the Year and the only artist to have been awarded this honor twice.
 
WHEN:

Radio Broadcast (60 minutes):
Friday, November 10 at 8pm local time on iHeartMedia’s Pop and Hot AC Radio Stations
 

The Westin Buffalo Becomes First-Ever Hotel to Use Volara’s Voice-Controlled Technology to Integrate iHeartRadio into Its Guest Rooms

Buffalo, NY – October 17, 2017 – Volara, the leading provider of custom voice-based solutions in the hospitality industry, and iHeartMedia, the leading audio company with the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America, announced today that Volara-equipped hotels now offer guests voice-controlled access to iHeartRadio, the free all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service. The Westin Buffalo, a luxury lifestyle hotel operated by global hospitality and food service provider Delaware North and located within the company's headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y., is the first hotel to implement Volara’s voice-control function for iHeartRadio.

Using Volara’s voice-based technology, which turns the Amazon Echo into an innovative hotel hospitality tool, iHeartMedia will now offer hotels the opportunity to create original iHeartRadio audio content, including podcasts, playlists, local personality endorsements and more, all voice-controlled and customizable for each hotel's individual brand. The first hotel to implement Volara's voice-controlled iHeartRadio integration is The Westin Buffalo, where guests can now say, “Alexa, Ask Westin to play the radio,” and Volara will immediately launch Westin Radio by iHeartRadio, a live station with a mix of songs that align with the hotel's brand. In addition, guests of Volara-enabled hotels can use their room's Amazon Echo devices to request services, get recommendations, and generally engage with hotel staff and services without the hassle of picking up a telephone.

“Volara is thrilled to be partnering with iHeartMedia to bring voice-controlled music to hotel guest rooms,” said David Berger, CEO of Volara. “Now hotel guests can not only access the staff and services of the hotel through the Amazon Echo, but they can also enjoy iHeartRadio's world class music, podcasts, and radio personalities. We believe this new joint solution is going to transform hotel guest experiences and become the next must-have feature in every hotel room.”

“The Westin Buffalo and Delaware North recognize the importance of providing innovative and memorable service to our guests,” said Tom Long, General Manager of The Westin Buffalo. “We were one of the first hotels in the country to implement the Relay robot butler and Volara-powered Amazon Echo devices, and we’re proud to be leading the way in offering guests this iHeartRadio experience.”

“It's our goal to provide a seamless, easy-to-use experience everywhere iHeartRadio’s millions of listeners want to enjoy their favorite music – and now with Volara, we've made it even easier for hotel guests to quickly play iHeartRadio using simple voice commands,” said Michele Laven, President of Strategic Partnerships Group for iHeartMedia. “We’re thrilled to launch our first ever voice-activated hospitality integration at The Westin Buffalo, and soon traveling music fans at hotels across the country will be able to kick back, relax and simply ask to hear a customized iHeartRadio experience.”

iHeartRadio offers users thousands of Live Radio stations from across the country, personalized custom Artist Radio stations, and the top Podcasts and on-air personalities available everywhere listeners are. Plus, iHeartRadio features easy-to-use on demand functionality that makes radio truly interactive and connects listeners directly to their music collections. iHeartRadio is available across 100+ device platforms including in-car, in-home, on wearables, across gaming consoles and more – making their favorite audio content available everywhere they are, on the devices they use most.

About Volara
Volara is the provider of custom voice-based solutions to the hospitality industry. Named a TechOvation semi-finalist by Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) and an Alexa Enterprise Agency by Amazon – the only such agency focused exclusively on the hospitality industry – Volara's proprietary software creates a hotel business tool atop the leading hardware and natural language processing platforms. Volara’s proven best practices ensure high utilization rates and an optimal guest experience – ensuring hotel guests' engagement is personal and remarkable. Volara enables hotels to serve guests more efficiently and subtly influence their behavior while leaving them with a warm feeling toward the brand. For more information, please visit www.volara.io.

About The Westin Buffalo
Ideally located in the heart of downtown Buffalo, the AAA Four Diamond-rated Westin Buffalo is just steps from the city’s unique architecture, prominent historical sites, and myriad arts and entertainment options. The 116-room lifestyle hotel offers luxurious guest rooms all fully equipped with Westin's signature Heavenly in-room amenities, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi and two signature on-site restaurants. The property, which also features 7,300 square feet of versatile event space, is a member of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts family and is operated by Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality. For more information, visit www.westinbuffalo.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Collaboration Brings iHeartRadio-Curated Music to Hotel Guests via the KEYPR Hospitality Platform
 
LOS ANGELES, CA — September 20, 2017 — KEYPR®, the leading hospitality technology company whose cloud-based platform integrates an end-to-end hospitality experience for guests, staff and management through embedded and mobile devices, announced today it has joined forces with iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service, to seamlessly bring a new custom music experience into hotel rooms across the country.
 
iHeartRadio will offer guests thousands of Live Radio stations from across the U.S., personalized custom Artist Radio stations, and the top podcasts and on-air personalities available everywhere listeners are. Plus, iHeartRadio features easy-to-use on-demand functionality which makes radio truly interactive and connects listeners directly to their music collections. On-demand subscription features include personal music libraries and playlists; the ability to search and play any song instantly; and the option to save and replay songs directly from live and custom radio listening.
 
“Offering an easy-to-use seamless music experience everywhere listeners are, is paramount to iHeartRadio,” said Jessica Jerrick, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Partnerships for iHeartMedia. “We are excited to work with KEYPR on our first hospitality space integration. Together, we will further enhance the guest experience by bringing iHeartRadio’s world-class music content and top personalities directly into their hotel room through KEYPR’s innovative platform.”
 
This partnership also opens up an opportunity for hotels on the KEYPR platform to curate custom playlists. From a guest perspective, iHeartRadio will be easily accessible directly via in-room tablets where hoteliers can decide which custom music experiences to highlight. On the back end, hotels will receive reports with usage and behavior data which they can use to improve service and further enhance the guest experience.
 
“Guest engagement on the KEYPR platform is consistently above 90% across our entire property mix. Our rich data shows that hotel guests are using our enabled devices to manage their stay, order services, make reservations and access entertainment,” said KEYPR CEO Robert Stevenson. “Continuing to grow our content library and working first-ever integrations with great partners like iHeartRadio only helps to increase that engagement and further our commitment to delight our hotel customers and their guests.”
 
About KEYPR
KEYPR® is a cloud-based guest experience and management platform for hotels, casinos and luxury residences. The platform delivers a friction-free personalized guest experience, while creating new operational efficiencies and driving additional revenue opportunities for property owners.  Guests can access a directory of services, including dining, entertainment, third-party content and more through an in-room tablet and custom mobile app. The app also allows guests to bypass the front desk via KEYPR’s Keyless Entry. Additionally, owners and managers gain valuable insight through the integrated dashboard (GEMS®) and intuitive tools that provide visibility into guest needs before, during and after their stay -- all while easily monitoring operational KPIs across multiple properties. For further information, visit: www.keypr.com
 

iHeartMedia’s Nationally Syndicated Radio Host Bobby Bones Brings “The Nashville Podcast Network” To iHeartRadio Listeners

NEW YORK –– September 7, 2017 –– iHeartMedia announced today during the 3rd annual IAB Podcast Upfront four original iHeartRadio podcasts. The announcement underscores a year of tremendous growth from the podcast platform, which has seen a 60 percent increase in listenership from iHeartRadio’s more than 100 million registered users.

New iHeartRadio original podcasts include:

• The Oh My Disney Podcast - Celebrating all things Disney and pop culture by Disney fans, for Disney fans. Influencer-hosts will dive deep into all the latest news from Disney, Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Freeform, and ABC to break down the latest news and get exclusive previews of upcoming films, Disney Parks attractions, television shows, and more; interview the biggest celebrities across the Disney universe; quiz fans on Disney trivia; taste test new Disney Parks foods; give fans facts and insights about significant Disney anniversaries; and dish with fans on all the latest reactions to everything in the Disney universe. The Oh My Disney podcast delivers a dose of Disney magic, with humor and heart.  
• The Fatherly Podcast - A weekly podcast about parenting, hosted by veteran journalist and Fatherly Editor-at-Large Joshua David Stein. The program includes honest, far-reaching discussions with famous fathers and mothers, current events coverage through a family lens, and actionable advice based on cutting-edge research.
• Scrubbing In With Becca Tilley - Hosted by beloved two-time contestant of “The Bachelor,” Becca Tilley will share her trials and tribulations as she navigates through life, encouraging listeners to laugh it all off with her. The new podcast will focus on the messiness of dating and relationships as well as her undying love for her favorite TV shows, music, sports and sleeping.
• Summit: Chairlift - A weekly podcast that gives listeners a substantive look into the minds of today’s most innovative thinkers from the Summit community. Each episode features two inspiring individuals who are top leaders in their respective fields. Recorded as they ride a chairlift to the summit of Powder Mountain in Utah, guests speak to a variety of topics that provide insight and ingenuity to motivate creative thinkers of today.

Today, iHeartRadio’s podcast platform features a directory of more than 8,500 podcasts across 19 different categories – from business and finance to comedy and entertainment. Over the past year, iHeartMedia has partnered with leading content providers including NPR, PRX/Radiotopia, WNYC, All Things Comedy, audioBoom and Libsyn. The company has also launched several other original content and branded podcasts, including “Label Defiers,” “The Ben and Ashley I. Almost Famous Podcast,” “The Thrive Global Podcast” hosted by Arianna Huffington, “Tagline” in partnership with Advertising Age, and “Art of the Hustle” with WeWork. Beyond content, iHeartRadio is developing new ways to measure podcast listenership by partnering with ART19 and allowing publishers to receive more detailed data about listeners.

"By launching into podcasting, we're addressing a very real need for our active audience of millennial parents," said Mike Rothman, CEO, Fatherly. "Our goal, together with iHeartMedia, is to create content that not only educates, but entertains. The perception of fatherhood is in a constant state of evolution and spreading our message to a new audience of dads and moms offers an invaluable service."

“In an age where visual distractions are everywhere, the power of sound is what captivates,” said Chris Peterson, Senior Vice President of Podcasting for iHeartMedia. “As the leader in everything sound, iHeartMedia continues to produce entertaining and engaging original content for our hundreds of millions of listeners across broadcast and digital. With access to top-notch personalities, artists, leaders and brands, we are positioned to take podcast listening to a whole new set of ears.”

Also announced during the upfronts, iHeartMedia’s nationally syndicated radio host Bobby Bones will bring his newly launched Nashville Podcast Network to iHeartRadio’s millions of listeners. The network will feature seven podcasts, giving listeners an inside look at the lifestyle and pop culture in Nashville, Tennessee. Hosted by Bobby Bones, Grammy award-winning artist Jake Owen, tastemaker Kelly Henderson and more, The Nashville Podcast Network will feature podcasts including “BobbyCast,” “Velvet’s Edge with Kelly Henderson,” “The Frontline Generation with Marjorie K. Eastman,” “Good Company with Jake Owen,” “Whiskey Riff Raff,” “Geeking Out with Kristian Bush” and “BoBo and Mikey.”

With iHeartRadio, the company has the ability to extend its brands and franchises across multiple devices and is currently available on more than 100 unique platforms spanning in-home, wearables, gaming, mobile, auto and more that allow users to listen anywhere they are on the products they use most. To listen to these upcoming shows and discover a variety of other top podcasts, visit iHeart.com/podcast.

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About Fatherly
Fatherly is the leading digital lifestyle guide for millennial parents that honestly and thoroughly documents the reality of modern family life. The site offers thoughtful, informative and entertaining content across each parenting milestone, from expecting to having teenage children. As the fastest-growing parenting resource on the web, Fatherly will continue expanding to serve a larger audience as a new generation of fathers and mothers step forward.

About Bobby Bones
Recently voted for induction into the National Radio Hall Of Fame as the youngest inductee ever, Bobby Bones has been dubbed "the most powerful man in country music" (Forbes). His nationally-syndicated Bobby Bones Show reaches millions of listeners on 100+ stations and iHeartRadio. Bones' "hilarious" (Sounds Like Nashville) comedy band The Raging Idiots is set to go on a limited-run tour starting in October with tickets on sale now at ragingidiots.com. Bones' hilarious memoir, BARE BONES: I’M NOT LONELY IF YOU’RE READING THIS BOOK (Dey Street Books), landed at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers Lists. Bones is also continuing on his FUNNY & ALONE STAND UP COMEDY TOUR, following more than 15 sold-out shows earlier this year. The shows became an instant hit amongst audiences, with some venues selling out minutes after going on sale. For additional information, www.bobbybonescomedy.com.

New SpokenEditions from The Huffington Post, Wired, IGN, Slate, and More Join iHeartRadio’s Podcast Lineup, powered by SpokenLayer

April 20, 2017 - New York City - SpokenLayer and iHeartRadio today announced the release of nearly forty SpokenEditions onto iHeartMedia’s all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service. SpokenEditions are human-read versions of written content from premium publishers. The collaboration will bring the audio version of hundreds of news stories to iHeartRadio listeners each week. 

SpokenEditions provides access to audio versions of some of the top written publications across a number of subjects allowing users to stay up to date on world affairs, tech, politics, gaming, science, and lifestyle news from premium publishers including:
 

  
Listenership for podcasts is at an all time high, according to Edison research. 112 million people reported having listened to a podcast. Whether it’s at home, on their commute, as they work, or at the gym, podcast listeners are consuming an average of 5 episodes per week. As people start to experience “screen fatigue” at work and at home, listening to news stories has become a welcome alternative to reading. 

“We’re excited to offer SpokenEditions to our millions of iHeartRadio listeners,” said Chris Peterson, Senior Vice President of Podcasting for iHeartRadio. “We are committed to providing a robust all-in-one listening experience for our users and by teaming up with SpokenLayer, it allows us to bring innovative new content to iHeartRadio that we know our users will love.”

“No other partner offers the massive and multi-channel reach of iHeartRadio. Adding our SpokenEditions to iHeartRadio gives their 100 million registered users access to unique news content from top sources every day unlike traditional weekly podcast content. The deal is a major win for all of our content publishing partners and most of all for listeners,” said Will Mayo, CEO of SpokenLayer.

About SpokenLayer
SpokenLayer is building an audio version of the web, one story at a time. Headquartered in NYC, the company’s turnkey platform transforms written content from publishers into human-read SpokenEditions that can be distributed and monetized. The company works with publishers, advertisers, and distribution platforms to create an addictive audio experience for users and a new ad-based revenue stream for publishers that’s easy to implement.