EMMIS INTERACTIVE OFFERS SERVICES TO OTHERS

Emmis Communications Corp., a radio industry leader in generating interactive revenues, today announced plans to begin marketing its services to radio broadcasters and other local media through Emmis Interactive Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary.

Created five years ago and now operating as a stand-alone entity, Emmis Interactive has formed partnerships with several broadcast companies and publishers to help them reinvent their brands. Emmis Interactive's said its “technology and approach gives local media a competitive edge in an environment of changing expectations.”

In its sixth year of operation, Emmis Radio's interactive revenues already account for nearly 5 percent of domestic radio revenues, it said, and have delivered a compounded annual growth rate of 30 percent over the past three years.

"Emmis Interactive has been a true pioneer and innovator in the interactive space," said Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan. "I take great pride in what we've built, and we look forward to providing other media companies the benefits of our interactive platform, sales solutions and know-how."

Pittsburgh-based Renda Broadcasting, owner of 25 radio stations in eight medium to small U.S. markets, has a contract with Emmis Interactive to set up their entire interactive operations, including consulting on the organizational setup; designing the Web sites and providing the technology to power the sites; and training and developing the entire Renda sales and station management team.

"This is one of the most exciting initiatives to happen at Renda Broadcasting since we first started operations over 25 years ago," said Tony Renda, owner of the privately held Renda Broadcasting. "We chose Emmis Interactive because they understand our needs and have a proven model for success. Emmis Interactive has over-delivered on their commitments to us and is truly acting as a partner in business. They are committed to our success as if they were members of our management team."

"There is a real hunger for the kind of answers Emmis Interactive has found," Smulyan added. "Their expertise could not be more vital to the entire media industry as we all seek to transition our businesses and pursue new revenue streams."