The Independent Broadcasters Association (IBA) has forged a network radio ad sales partnership with New York City-based AdLarge Media.
The arrangement will result in the creation of two new independent radio station networks.
News of the pact with AdLarge came ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend, which saw the official launch of an IBA membership website — and a fee designed “so that every radio station can afford to participate and benefit.”
The cost of membership has been set a $100 per station each year, plus one :60 unit of advertising per week, weekdays between 6am and 7pm.
“An additional network” is in the works that will deliver network revenue directly to member stations, IBA notes.
There’s an incentive for early registration: Stations that have signed up by September 30 will be included on the upfront national network avails for 2021, IBA says.
According to IBA President Ron Stone, who heads Adams Radio Group, there are currently 2,766 stations that have expressed interest in joining the IBA.
Speaking of the AdLarge partnership, Stone said membership is required to participate in the new networks for independent broadcasters.
AdLarge Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer Gary Schonfeld commented, “This partnership comes at a most opportune time, giving independent radio groups and stations more power and prominence in network radio advertising. Ron’s industry leadership in creating the IBA will help thousands of radio stations nationwide generate additional revenue, and we are honored to be a part of it.”
Meanwhile, IBA member deliverables were shared by Stone ahead of their rollout later this year. This includes “a multi-layered traffic product” currently being tested in multiple markets. The system combines traffic, CRM, yield management and analytic tools “to eliminate the redundancy and cost of multiple systems.”
— Adam R Jacobson
