by Tyler Kenly
- Image Courtesy: Clear Channel
- iHeart Radio
- Multiple Platform Promotion
- Rush Limbaugh Incident
1. iHeart Radio
iHeart Radio is Clear Channel’s industry leading digital radio service launched in 2011 that includes 800+ live and local radio stations.
Image courtesy: iHeartRadio
On January 23rd, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, previously Clear Channel Radio, announced the addition to college radio stations to its iHeart Radio, their digital radio service. (1) iHeart Radio already covers a vast amount of stations, over 800 in over 150 cities, but the addition of college stations will just widen the amount of stations Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s new app will cover. The initial addition of college stations will be a slow process that will span several months. First will be 11 of the most widely listened to college stations, including Denison University’s WDUB and Ithica’s WICB, among others. Many more will be added in the months following. (2) “Bringing college radio stations to iHeartRadio is a great source of local and independent programming that offers our users a more diverse listening experience and also provides listeners new opportunities for music, news and sports exposure and discovery,” said John Hogan, President and CEO, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. (3)
On March 7th, Clear Channel and it’s industry leading digital radio, iHeart Radio, utilized the hype around South by Southwest to promote up and coming artists that were at the event. The incredible reach of Clear Channel helped get the names of artists to the forefront. The promotional effort will also result in an entire station on iHeart Radio devoted to the artists who performed at SXSW titled ‘Austin 2012‘ as well.(4) Artists promoted include K’NAAN, Foxy Shazam, T. Mills, ZZ Ward and Dead Sara as well as a few others.
On April 2nd, Clear Channel announced the return of the iHeart Radio Music Festival to be held in Las Vegas in September of 2012.(5) The first iHeart Radio Music Festival in 2011 featured hit artists such as
Image courtesy: iHeartRadio
Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Steven Tyler, The Black Eyed Peas, Kenny Chesney, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, Sting, Carrie Underwood, Jane’s Addiction, Nicki Minaj, David Guetta, Rascal Flatts, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Sublime with Rome and Jeff Beck. The concert in 2011 was to launch the new iHeart Radio, the industry leading digital music service, and sold out in just 10 minutes last year. Bob Pittman, Clear Channel CEO stated his high hopes for the second annual concert: “The overwhelming success of last year’s inaugural festival made it clear that history shouldn’t just repeat itself — we should strive to make it an even better experience for music fans. “(6) The concert will be held in the prestigious MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Further details about ticket information and the show lineup for this year’s concert will be announced summer 2012.
In April 5th, Clear Channel’s premiere digital music service announced The Ultimate Pool Party to be held at Fontainebleau Miami Beach on June 29-30. The party will be a weekend long musical festival as a part of the Bleaulive concert series. The weekend will be held at the legendary resort alongside the pool and the beach. Artists such as Maroon 5, Flo Rida, Gym Class Heroes and Calvin Harris, as well as a special guest appearance by Enrique Iglesias will have live performances throughout the weekend.(7) Clear Channel will promote the event through online promotions and over the air via its 90 contemporary hit stations.President of National Programming Platforms of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, Tom Pole man had this to say about the event:”It’s an amazing weekend getaway for our listeners and a chance to connect with artists they love. Clear Channel has become well-known for producing world-class events, and we’re looking forward to delivering yet another unforgettable experience.”(8)
2. Clear Channel Partnerships
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announced on January 30th that they will be
Image courtesy: Ryan Seacrest Media
teaming up with Ryan Seacrest Media to increase business growth across multiple media platforms. The agreement committed over $300 Million in investments from THL and Bain Capital in the new partnership between the two companies. The agreement also gives Clear Channel a minority stake ownership in Ryan Seacrest Productions.(9) Ryan Seacrest Media controls productions for television shows like ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ and ‘Khloe and Lamar’.(10) The agreement with Clear Channel allows the collaborative effort to produce and distribute programming across different platforms and utilizes Clear Channel’s wide promotional reach to promote said programs.
On April 3rd, Clear Channel Communities, the community engagement branch of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announced the partnership alongside Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City. The partnership will link the mega-media corporation and the volunteer networking organization in a campaign effort to increase awareness about the program. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment will use over $1 million is promotional ads to further promote the program. Over 2,700 public service announcements [PSAs] will be heard over 5 of the top radio stations in the New York area, which are owned by Clear Channel Media and Entertainment.(11)
On April 24th, Clear Channel announced that it will promote Carrie Underwood’s new album Blow Away across multiple platforms as a part of its Artist Integration program. The on-air and online Artist Integration Program is designed to leverage Clear Channel’s powerful properties and audiences to introduce the album to listeners and fans. (12) The campaign will use Clear Channel’s large network of country stations by using a series of on-air spots including excerpts from exclusive interviews and performances by Underwood.
3. Rush Limbaugh Incident
In early March, controversy surrounding Rush Limbaugh led to the abandoning by advertisers and several stations that were associated to the popular radio host. Clear Channel stood behind Limbaugh, whose show is syndicated to over 600 stations in the US, and remains committed to the conservative host. Limbaugh came under heavy fire after calling a Georgetown student a ‘slut’ and ‘prostitue’.
Clear channel had this to say in response to his criticism: Premiere is “committed to providing its listeners with access to a broad range of opinion and commentary without condoning or agreeing with the opinions, comments or attempts at humor expressed by on-air talent,” the company said, according to the paper. “We respect the right of Mr. Limbaugh, as well as the rights of those who disagree with him, to express those opinions.” (14) Bob Pittman, Clear Channel CEO restated their commitment to Limbaugh, saying that he is the ‘King of Radio’. (15)
References
1. “The New iHeartRadio Adds College Radio Stations” http://www.clearchannel.com/MediaAndEntertainment/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=3072
2. “iHeartRadio Expands to Include College Stations” http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/blogs/gear-up/iheartradio-expands-to-include-college-stations-20120123
3. “The New iHeartRadio Adds College Radio Stations” http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120123005407/en/iHeartRadio-Adds-College-Radio-Stations
4. “iHeartRadio Celebrates SXSW With Events Spotlighting Up-And-Coming Artists” http://www.clearchannel.com/MediaAndEntertainment/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=3089
5. “Clear Channel Announces The Return Of The iHeartRadio Music Festival – The Biggest Live Concert Event In Radio History” http://www.clearchannel.com/MediaAndEntertainment/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=3092
6. “iHeartRadio Festival: Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Usher, Coldplay, Alicia Keys to perform” http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-07-11/entertainment/29782908_1_iheartradio-com-radio-stations-clear-channel-radio
7. “iHeartRadio Throws A Pool Party At The Fontainebleau” http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/104503/iheartradio-throws-a-pool-party-at-the-fontaineble
8. ” iHeartRadio and Fontainebleau Miami Beach Partner to Host the Ultimate Pool Party” http://www.clearchannel.com/MediaAndEntertainment/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=3095
9. “Ryan Seacrest And Clear Channel Announce New Investment Agreements To Drive Growth And Innovation Across Multiple Media Platforms” http://www.clearchannel.com/MediaAndEntertainment/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=3075
10. Ryan Seacrest Media http://ryanseacrest.com/
11. “Clear Channel Communities(TM) Announces Targeted Partnership With Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City” http://www.marketwatch.com/story/clear-channel-communitiestm-announces-targeted-partnership-with-big-brothers-big-sisters-of-new-york-city-2012-04-03
12. “Clear Channel to Promote Carrie Underwood’s New Album Blown Away Across Multiple Platforms Through Its Artist Integration Program” http://www.marketwatch.com/story/clear-channel-to-promote-carrie-underwoods-new-album-blown-away-across-multiple-platforms-through-its-artist-integration-program-2012-04-24
13. “Rush Limbaugh ‘Slut’ Attack On Georgetown Student Sandra Fluke pimp original” — Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7i8h7q-KI8
14. “Radio Giant Clear Channel’s Syndication Arm Defends Rush Limbaugh” http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/clear-channel-rush-limbaugh-syndication-premiere-networks-sandra-fluke-297052
15. “Rush Limbaugh ‘king’ of radio, Clear Channel CEO says” http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74571.html