KATZ RADIO GROUP FORMS NEW DIGITAL UNIT – KATZ 360 SALES
Brian Benedik to Lead New Division
New York, April 29, 2008 - Katz Media Group, the largest media representation firm in the United States, announced that the Katz Radio Group (KRG) formed a new division that will focus on expanding the company’s digital efforts by offering national advertisers the ability to reach their target audiences through several different channels, which include on-air, online, HD and mobile.
Katz 360 Sales will capitalize on Katz Radio Group’s successful 2007 acquisition of Net Radio Sales by consolidating all of KRG’s digital assets into a single unit. The new division will provide KRG’s broadcasting and online clients with a greater ability to capture a larger share of advertising dollars in the digital space. Brian Benedik, formerly the President of KRG’s Christal Radio, was named President of Katz 360 Sales, which will be based in New York.
The radio industry has moved aggressively in recent years to expand into online, on-demand, mobile text, real-time data and digital broadcasts. These brand extensions have resulted in larger, more engaged audiences consuming content produced by radio broadcasters from AM/FM stations, digital multicasts, Internet streams, on-demand audio, video and mobile devices.
“We have been making significant investments in the transformational changes taking place in radio,” said Mark Gray, President of Katz Radio Group. “By consolidating these assets into a single unit, we can offer our broadcasting clients, advertisers and new technology partners a powerful way to boost the revenue potential of their digital platforms. With the growing pool of new media dollars, Katz 360 is a critical new initiative for our company. I am thrilled Brian will be leading this effort, which will take advantage of his broadcast experience, his sales and management skills, and his commitment to the digital future of our industry.”
Along with Katz Net Radio Sales, which under the direction of Jennifer Lane sells streaming audio along with all forms of interactive advertising, Katz has formed a number of relationships with online and mobile providers. Katz Mobile established a partnership with Hipcricket two years ago to work with traditional and interactive departments at agencies to customize mobile solutions for national advertisers. In coordination with multiple partners, Katz Database works with the advertising community on database and viral campaigns. KRG also has an exclusive national relationship with Ando Media to use its leading-edge Internet radio audience measurement tools.
“At Katz 360, we have the ability to harness the power of all these groups to offer advertisers expanded opportunities to reach their audience across multiple audio and web-based platforms,” said Benedik, who will begin in his new role immediately. “We will look to add new channels as we grow and collaborate with emerging media and new technology partners to provide more effective sales solutions to national advertisers.”
Benedik has been President of Christal Radio since 2005. Before taking that role, he was the General Sales Manager of radio station Z-100 in New York. He also served as the Midwest Divisional Vice President for Clear Channel Radio Sales and held a number of positions with KRG’s Eastman Radio group.
About Katz Media Group
Katz Media Group, based in New York City, is the nation’s only full-service media sales and marketing firm. A subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications, the company serves multiple media platforms and is the leading representative of radio and television stations. The Katz Radio Group is structured to most effectively represent the interests of its independent client stations through Eastman Radio, Christal Radio and Katz Radio. For more information, go to www.katz-media.com.
Media Contact
Michael Sherman
Katz Media Group
(212) 424-6484
michael.sherman@katz-media.com
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