Clear Channel Radio and its sister sales and marketing company Katz Media Group have created an online radio network that they say has “the broadest reach and most diverse content of any online audio network” as measured by Ando Media.
Advertising on the new Katz Online Network will be sold to national clients by sales people at Katz 360 Sales, Clear Channel Online Music & Radio and Premiere Radio Networks.
They call this the first network to incorporate independent Internet radio stations along with online and mobile streams of AM, FM stations plus syndicated content.
“Immediately, the Katz Online Network delivers 79 million sessions per month and a unique audience of nearly 5 million listeners per week,” the organizations promised.
Offerings include audio spots within streams, pre-roll audio or video, display or video ads and synchronized banners on online media players. Campaigns can be targeted geographically.
“Online radio listening has developed a powerful attraction for advertisers as consumers in the most sought-after demographics and life stages convert their morning radio listening into an at-work experience,” the companies stated.
“As a result, the ‘workday’ day part — from 6a-7p, M-F — now holds special appeal.” They also said online radio listenership as a whole continues to grow rapidly.
The new network aggregates AM and FM streams from groups including Clear Channel, Cumulus, Cox, Emmis, Entercom, Greater Media, Journal, Nassau, Salem, Saga and Bonneville; plus syndicated content from Air America and Internet radio programming from a group of seven sources including Club 977, Radioio and SmoothJazz.com.
The relationship with monitoring firm Ando lets advertisers have third-party, real-time, server-based audience metrics. “Other benefits include seamless ad insertion, centralized trafficking and invoicing, and comprehensive analytics,” they stated. “These tools have never been available before in the audio space.”