Amplifi Media, Jācapps Form ‘Internet of Things’ Venture

0

Broadcast radio companies, along with streaming audio players and Sirius XM, have taken a keen interest in such “internet of things” technology as the Amazon Echo and Google Home devices. What impact, if any, will these devices have on in-home audio consumption? How will this play out with future Nielsen Audio ratings reports, given the recent controversy surrounding the internet stream for Beasley Media Group‘s WYUU-FM 92.5 in Tampa?


Two radio industry veterans have teamed together for a joint venture dedicated to strategizing and creating voice command solutions for the radio and podcasting industries.

SonicAi is a partnership between Steve Goldstein’s Amplifi Media and Fred Jacobs’ jācapps.

Joining the partnership, as co-founder, is former Univision Radio Director of Sales and 15-year WFAN-AM 660 in New York VP/GM Lee Davis.

Goldstein’s Amplifi Media and Davis will focus on sales, marketing and “skills” architecture.

The jācapps team will handle product development and customer service.

The introduction of “IoT” devices into homes “creates a significant opportunity for the radio industry and podcasters,” SonicAi believes. “Research has shown that in-home radio listening has been declining, but now with the ability to access a radio station’s stream or programming (such as podcasts), using voice commands, is a breakthrough for audio content creators.”

Jacobs Media’s forthcoming “Techsurvey13,” set for release in May 2017, finds that some 11% of homes already have a voice-command home device.

“This partnership is designed to maximize the in-home opportunity for radio stations and podcasters. We think this is a seismic change that needs to be seized upon and mastered,” Goldstein said. “That’s why we have developed solutions to make it easy for consumers to find and access a brand’s audio content. We also think audio content creators will be more successful with enhanced choices beyond basic streams. We call these ‘smart skills,’ and we plan to have a full suite of offerings.”

“Teaming up with Steve and Lee, while turning the jācapps team loose, is where SAi is headed,” Jacobs added. “We’ve been ahead of the curve with jācapps, radio’s leading developer of mobile solutions since our launch in 2008. Our team specializes in great customer service and outstanding development, and we’ll work with stations and audio content creators to unleash the potential of these devices as they are rapidly showing up in kitchens, dens, and on nightstands. They are the new radios for the home.”

Amplifi Media works with companies and podcasters in the strategy and development of innovative content, marketing, branding and monetization for the on-demand audio/podcast sector; jācapps is a developer of mobile applications for the radio industry.