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For Immediate Release:
Clear Channel’s Pittsburgh Radio
Stations Begin Rollout of ActiveAccess Desktop Application to Stream Video, Run
Contests and Reach Listeners in Interactive Ways
Application Offers Revenue Potential by Providing Local Advertisers an Innovative Web Channel to Reach Target Customers
CHANTILLY, VA, February 27,
2008 – BIA Information Network (http://www.activeaccess.com),
a leading provider of private-label desktop applications, announced today that
Clear Channel’s Pittsburgh radio stations have begun to rollout its ActiveAccess
desktop application for listeners in the tri-state region seeking an interactive
experience while listening to the programming of its six top stations.
McDonald’s of the Tri-State has agreed to be a sole sponsor of both station’s
applications.
WXDX-FM (105.9) and WKST-FM
(96.1) are the first of the stations to offer their listeners the ActiveAccess
program. By visiting the station’s websites (WXDX-FM
(105.9) and
WKST-FM (96.1)
and downloading a small non-intrusive file. Clear Channel Pittsburgh’s audience
can participate in the daily broadcasts through unique interactive contests,
promotions, printable coupons, and music requests. Clear
Channel Pittsburgh has immediately monetized the WXDX ActiveAccess application
in the following ways:
In the case of WKST, their "Bob
Cam" continuously streams live video of their popular DJ directly on the desktop
of any computer that has downloaded the application. Other station information
and sponsor advertising is prominently available for the listener to personalize
their experience at any time. WXDX is using their application to connect with
their audience off-air and is using the channel to promote the Pittsburgh
Penguins, providing podcasts, player and team headlines, videos and a direct
link to the Pens page that offers news, information, pictures, site archive and
the team's schedule. "We
view the ActiveAccess application as the final blow to our competition in the
market," said Andy Peacock, Director of Internet Sales, Clear Channel
Pittsburgh. "By creating a visual component to our audio medium we now have the
ability to reach listeners outside the traditional broadcast model. Now our
audience can listen, watch, touch, and feel our programming any way they’d like
24x7."
ActiveAccess appealed to Clear Channel Pittsburgh management because of its use
of new technology, slick look, easy navigation, ability to keep its listeners
engaged, and that it could drive people back to their websites with one click.
While WXDX and WKST will use ActiveAccess to keep listeners updated on news,
programming, on-air talent, and local events and sponsorships for the community,
it will also maintain a brand presence on each computer that downloads the
application. “We
wanted to identify a compelling way to continuously engage our audience, whether
they were tuned into our stations or in front of their home or business
computers,” said Peacock. “The ActiveAccess application helps our efforts to
provide our listeners with the information they want but can’t always access
during their busy day. It also has an immediate appeal to advertisers who can
cross-promote themselves on our website and on the application.”
“ActiveAccess is a powerful promotional tool for radio stations because it can
provide an opt-in and sustained connection to promote engaging conversations
between the stations, their advertising partners, and their listeners,” said
Mike Ferrara, vice president for BIA Information Network. “As people spend more
of their time online, the application makes it easy for a station to deliver
tune-in messaging, advertisements, text crawls, coupons and promotions directly
to the computer desktop of their listeners.”
ActiveAccess utilizes an application-service-provider (ASP) delivery model and
is professionally customized to the unique needs of every station, designing an
engaging bridge between their content and customer. It easily repurposes the
station’s existing web content and creates desktop convenience to useful
services— all sponsored by the station’s brand and call letters. Requiring an
Internet connection, ActiveAccess only uses nominal computer memory and does not
interfere with larger servers or network environments.
ActiveAccess is
the most secure private-label desktop application available
and
does not
contain any adware, spyware or malware. The installation file is small
and light-weight; it requires about as much memory as a single webpage and does
not interfere with corporate servers or network environments.
For
more information on ActiveAccess for a radio station, visit
http://www.activeaccess.com/radio/. To request a demonstration of
ActiveAccess for your association or business, contact BIA by calling
800.331.5086 or emailing
info@activeaccess.com.
About
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (NYSE:CCU) is a global media and
entertainment company specializing in "gone from home" entertainment and
information services for local communities and premiere opportunities for
advertisers. Based in San Antonio, Texas, the company's businesses include
radio, television and outdoor displays. More information is available at
www.clearchannel.com.
About BIA Information Network
BIA
Information Network, LLC, a subsidiary of BIA Financial Network, Inc., is a
Chantilly, Va.-based company focused on providing new media solutions for
corporations, non-profits, education, government, and media industries. BIN’s
premier product, ActiveAccess, is a private-label desktop application used by
more than one million people that has the ability to deliver customized
interactive content directly to any computer desktop. ActiveAccess supports
marketing initiatives by fostering brand loyalty and engagement with targeted
audiences. Current clients include: Entercom Communications Corporation, Gray
Television Incorporated, Meredith Corporation, Nexstar Broadcasting, American
Business Media, The George Washington University and Penn State University.
Further information is available at:
http://www.activeaccess.com.
