Emmis and LMiV have launched two new websites in the Indianapolis area: WIBC/AM and RadioNow 93.1, both developed collaboratively among staff at the stations and personnel at LMiV. National and local content are woven together on the sites such that information appears to be coming directly from that individual station. LMiV argues that presenting audiences with aggregated national lifestyle content in context with the very localized information helps to strengthen the bond between the station and individual listeners.
“One of the reasons Emmis helped establish LMiV just over a year ago was that we saw the tremendous potential for combining radio and the Internet to enhance relationships with listeners,” said Emmis Communications chairman Jeff Smulyan. Smulyan is also the current chairman of LMiV. “That’s proving to be the case nationally and is certainly the case here in Indianapolis. We have two leading radio stations with their own LMiV-powered websites and will have a third station in the near future.”
“Even though the WIBC and RadioNow 93.1 sites were built from the same LMiV content and technology platform, the sites look very different-as they should,” commented Rey Mena, vice president of Emmis Interactive. “Each site is an extension of the on-air brand offering information and interaction that appeals to each station’s loyal listeners. Having strong locally-produced content is a major part of our formula for success.”
WIBC launched its LMiV-powered website on September 12th. “The results were very positive almost from the first minute we went live,” said Rob Nichols, operations manager at the station. “LMiV has invigorated our new site with very compelling content. That’s crucial for us because our listeners tune in for credible information, relevant today and tomorrow-not yesterday. Our new LMiV-powered site further enhances our reputation for integrity and timeliness.”
RadioNow 93.1 launched its new website on November 19th. “Our new site is designed to capture our listeners’ lives on-line by providing the information they’re interested in and are looking for. The site is robust and our listeners love it,” said Jo Robinson, interactive manager for Emmis. “We couldn’t have developed such a technically advanced site or populated it with such rich and diverse content on our own. Our partnership with LMiV is great for our listeners and our advertisers are very excited about new opportunities to target and interact with consumers. It’s a real win/win situation.”
“Whatever that unique relationship is between a station and its listener, our goal is to help our radio station affiliates enhance the value of that relationship online,” said Jack Swarbrick, president and CEO of LMiV. “Like our other four founding companies, Emmis is taking a leadership position in helping redefine radio’s relationship with the Internet. Local radio and the Internet is a strong marriage.”
