Network radio programming, production and technical services company United Stations is expanding its partnership with Toronto-based SoCast by joining forces in the marketing of SoCast’s “Digital Playbook” for radio stations.
SoCast has carved a niche in the North American radio marketplace for digital content and revenue tools of benefit for radio.
USRN took notice of this more than two years ago, as the two companies have been working together since summer 2017, with United Stations’ handling of advertising sales for SoCast’s barter inventory.
In 2018, the two companies introduced the Smart Speaker V.A.L.E.T., a product for radio stations to develop and promote their presence on Smart Speakers.
Now, USRN and SoCast say they are “enhancing” their relationship in a way that will help “jointly expose the full range of digital offerings that SoCast can provide to operators of radio stations.”
The Digital Playbook Powered by SoCast is being marketed as “a complete suite of services for radio stations looking to grow their digital presence and their digital revenue streams.”
The concept for creating a “how to” package, USRN notes, came from “consistent feedback from radio stations indicating that the digital landscape and its revenue opportunities can be difficult to navigate.”
Together, United Stations and SoCast will be offering radio stations with the following services:
- Digital infrastructure to manage content for web, app social, social, speakers, podcasting, listener database membership and sweepstakes
- Sales enablement; ongoing training on monetization (from webinars to in-market tutorials to 4-legged sales calls; on how stations can leverage digital assets locally and turn those assets into real revenue streams)
- Advanced revenue management solutions that enable broadcasters to offer agency services (geo-fencing, targeted display and re-targeting) as well as optimize their Owned & Operated inventory
Stefan Jones, Senior VP/Content & Affiliation for USRN, said, “We were finding that there are still a lot of radio stations who are struggling with the best solutions to digital growth, OR that there are radio stations unhappy with their current service providers in the digital space. We can now offer a complete and superior digital experience across ALL platforms and, most importantly, connect the dots to revenue.”
SoCast founder/CEO Elliott Hurst added, “All of us at SoCast and United Stations believe that radio has what it takes to win the battle of local as audiences and advertisers go 100% digital. This playbook combines our unique strengths to help broadcasters transform into digital businesses.”
Going to the 2019 Radio Show in Dallas? United Stations Manager of Affiliate Relations Ralph Riley will be sharing Booth 235 with SoCast at the NAB exhibit floor and participating in a panel discussion scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26, from 2-3pm Central.
