Press Releases:


 

  • 02-05-2009

    METRO TRAFFIC ANNOUNCES RENEWAL OF COX RADIO AGREEMENT IN ATLANTA

    New York, NY – February 5, 2009 -- Metro Traffic, a Westwood One (WWON:OB) company, has announced the renewal of a multiyear agreement with Cox Radio stations in Atlanta. Metro will provide a suite of on air and online traffic content services.

    “Cox prides itself on the quality and credibility of its news content,” said Cox VP/GM David Meszaros. “That’s why we are proud to continue our 20+ year relationship with Metro Traffic in providing the best product on the market to millions of Atlanta area commuters.”

    Fred Bennett, EVP of Affiliate Sales for Metro Traffic, says, “WSB is known for the best traffic reporting in Atlanta, so we are thrilled that they have renewed with us. Together we will bring new traffic surveillance and distribution solutions to the greater Atlanta traveling public.”

    As a result of Metro Traffic’s affiliation with Cox Radio, Westwood One will provide services to the top radio stations in the Atlanta market.

    About Cox Radio
    Cox Radio is one of the largest radio broadcasting companies in the United States, based on revenues. Cox Radio owns, operates or provides sales and marketing services for 86 stations (71 FM and 15 AM) clustered in 19 markets, including major markets such as Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Orlando, San Antonio and Tampa. Cox Radio shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: CXR.

    About Westwood One
    Westwood One is the largest provider of traffic information and the largest independent provider of network radio programming in the US. Through its Metro Traffic division, Westwood One provides traffic reporting and local news, sports and weather to over 2,200 radio and TV stations. Through its Network Radio Division, Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio and TV stations in the U.S. The Company provides over 150 news, sports, music, talk and entertainment programs, features and live events to numerous media partners. The Company also provides digital and other cross platform delivery of its network and Metro content.

    ###
    Press Contact:
    Matthew Hesselson
    Westwood One
    P: (212) 641-2045
    matthew_hesselson@westwoodone.com

     

     
  • 2008 Press Releases

  • 12-22-2008

    Westwood One’s Metro Traffic and TrafficLand Create Exclusive Partnership to Bring Leading Edge Video Traffic Information System to US Broadcasters -- Nation’s largest traffic incident reporting systems will integrate real-time 24/7 traffic video, offering most advanced and accurate traffic information via television, radio and the Internet

    New York, NY – December 22, 2008 -- Westwood One, Inc. (WWON.OB) today announced a multi-year strategic partnership with TrafficLand, Inc. to combine TrafficLand’s 24/7 live traffic video systems - which aggregate nearly 5,000 traffic cameras - with the nation’s largest and most experienced team of traffic reporters to create the most comprehensive, accurate and reliable traffic information system available. The partnership will allow Westwood One’s Metro Traffic system to integrate TrafficLand’s video systems into its incident reports, alerts, traffic speed and flow updates, and offer better alternative routing suggestions. In addition to adding the traffic video to its information base, Metro Traffic becomes the exclusive representative of the TrafficLand services to broadcasters for their radio, television and Internet offerings with on-demand user applications to be made available in the future. As part of the transaction, Westwood One has also negotiated the right to purchase at its option 100% of the stock of TrafficLand in 2009.

    “No other company offers such a powerful combination of ways to solve daily traffic problems in real time,” said Steve Kalin, President, Metro Traffic. “The addition of TrafficLand’s real-time traffic video, available in many major markets and growing, with our existing incident and traffic data, creates the most robust, reliable, and comprehensive traffic information offering in the marketplace.”

    TrafficLand is already the largest authorized single-source of on-demand traffic video information in the country, with access to over 5,000 traffic video cameras in 48 MSAs today. The traffic video is aggregated in real time from dozens of camera networks throughout the U.S. and then distributed over the Internet to commuters, broadcast media, and other Internet service providers, as well as federal, state and local government agencies. TrafficLand’s proprietary technology packages video feeds for both large-scale consumer and enterprise applications.

    “TrafficLand takes traffic reporting to the next level in an on-demand world,” said Larry Nelson, TrafficLand’s Founder and CEO. “With live, real-time 24/7 video, users can make more informed decisions about their daily commutes, business deliveries, and other travel plans. And as we add more cameras in more communities, we are providing Metro Traffic with even more ways to help solve everyday traffic problems.”

    “Westwood One’s Metro Traffic is committed to solving customer’s needs through innovative products and services,” said Jonathan Marshall, EVP, Business Affairs and Strategic Development for Westwood One. “With our more than 1,000 experienced traffic experts nationwide, TrafficLand’s video feeds from over 5,000 cameras, plus breakthrough cellular technology for traffic speed and flow data, we and our affiliates can provide consumers with up-to-the-minute traffic solutions they can’t get anywhere else.”

    About Westwood One
    Westwood One is the largest provider of traffic information and the largest independent provider of network radio programming in the US. Through its Metro Networks Traffic division, Westwood provides traffic reporting and local news, sports and weather to over 2,200 radio and TV stations. Through its Network Radio Division, Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio and TV stations in the U.S. The Company provides over 150 news, sports, music, talk and entertainment programs, features and live events to numerous media partners. The Company also provides digital and other cross platform delivery of its network and Metro content.

    About TrafficLand, Inc.
    TrafficLand is the largest authorized single-source of on demand traffic video information in the country. With access to over 5,000 traffic video cameras in 48 MSAs today, and plans to expand this number, TrafficLand can provide immediate access to roadside cameras and live video to help media organizations report incidents and their impact. TrafficLand services for broadcast and web-based media use live video to enhance news and traffic reporting to broadcast audiences and add valuable, hyper-local content that increases website traffic, page views and user affinity. TrafficLand also provides real-time video-based services to aid emergency first responders and incident management.

    MEDIA CONTACT:
    Chenoa Taitt
    (212) 223-0682

     

     
  • 07-01-2008

    Westwood One and AirSage Partner to Launch Next Generation Platform for Traffic Reporting -- Cell phone signal analysis to provide faster alerts, reliable travel times, and better alternate route suggestions

    New York, NY – July 31, 2008 -- Westwood One, Inc. (NYSE: WON) today announced a multi-year strategic partnership with AirSage, Inc. to combine traffic speed and flow information derived from cell phone signals with Westwood One’s leading traffic incident reporting expertise. With the expanded depth of information-gathering provided by the partnership, Westwood One’s Metro Traffic will improve the accuracy of traffic information available to commuters, offering significant advancements in the reporting of travel times, faster alerts, and better alternative route suggestions. Metro Traffic will begin to roll out the innovative reporting technology in September.

    “Our partnership with AirSage merges Metro Traffic’s market-leading experience with cutting-edge cellular technology to provide local traffic reports that are simply more accurate than what is currently available anywhere,” said Jonathan Marshall, Westwood One EVP – Business Affairs & Strategic Development. “We’ve been searching for a technology that provides accurate speed and flow data to complement our strategy of providing premium content to our media partners.”

    As the leading provider of traffic information, Metro Traffic serves 129 markets with incident monitoring services covering more than 350,000 miles of roadway. AirSage, the only U.S. supplier of traffic data from cell phone signaling systems, compiles and analyzes the anonymous real-time experiences of tens of millions of drivers to report up-to-the-minute traffic flows and speeds. The combined offering, an industry milestone, will vastly expand coverage of secondary roadways and provide best-choice alternatives to minimize the hassles of daily commuting.

    AirSage CEO Cy Smith said, “We are excited to partner with Westwood One, the longtime leader in traffic reporting. Our combined technology and data sources will enable Westwood One to provide the most complete, accurate and timely traffic information to media outlets and to commuters. With this service, drivers will find it easier to avoid congestion and navigate the roadways of America.”

    “Coupling AirSage’s breakthrough technology with our 1000+ experienced traffic experts nationwide lifts traffic reporting accuracy to a new level,” said John Frawley, EVP Broadcast – Metro Networks.

    AirSage’s proprietary software supplies speed, travel time and traffic-flow information for over 150,000 miles of roadway, including primary and alternate travel routes. This is a notable improvement over systems based on fixed-traffic data sensors that monitor real-time traffic for only about 7,000 miles of metropolitan interstates. By relying on the extensive presence of mobile communications technology, AirSage is also able to provide greater visibility into how the nations network of highways and arterials is performing and being used at different times of the day, month, and year.

    About Westwood One
    Westwood One (NYSE: WON) is a platform-agnostic content company providing over 150 news, sports, music, talk, entertainment programs, features and live events to numerous media partners. Through its subsidiaries, Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcast Services, Westwood One provides local content to the radio and TV industries and to the Web. This content includes news, sports, weather, traffic, video news services and other information. SmartRoute Systems manages traffic information centers for state and local departments of transportation, and markets traffic and travel content to wireless, Internet, in-vehicle navigation systems and voice portal customers. Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio stations. For more information please visit www.westwoodone.com.

    About AirSage, Inc.
    AirSage is the leading provider of reliable and accurate real-time traffic information providing partners and customers with the highest quality speed, travel time and traffic flow information on more than 150,000 miles of the nation’s highways, freeways, primary roadways and arterial roads. The Atlanta-based company has developed innovative, patented software technology that aggregates anonymous signaling data from wireless mobile operators. AirSage is currently the only company in the U.S. with a wireless carrier partner that is committed to a national deployment and is the only company with the capability to provide real-time traffic information using this ground-breaking technology. For more information please visit www.airsage.com.

    Media Contact:
    Sandy Hillman/Terry Rooney
    (212) 223-0561

     

     
  • 01-09-2008

    WESTWOOD ONE AND MAPTUIT LAUNCH 200th REALTRAFFIC WEBSITE -- Superior Traffic Information System Powers Leading Local Media Partners -- APIs for Navigation Devices, Mobile, Fleet and Web Services Introduced

    NEW YORK, NY--January 09, 2008 -- Westwood One/Metro Networks (NYSE: WON) and Maptuit Corporation announced today that have now deployed their online interactive traffic service, RealTraffic™, on more than 200 local websites for leading radio, TV, newspaper affiliates and Department of Transportation clients nationwide.

    “RealTraffic offers the commuter the most accurate, timely and updated traffic information, powered by an unrivalled network of over 60 local operation centers and 1600 locally staffed reporters and producers,” commented Bill Martin, SVP Interactive Traffic Services for Westwood One. “When commuters are looking for traffic information to plan their commutes and schedule their trips, they rely on Westwood One’s network of experienced traffic reporters and Westwood’s extensive traffic data gathering and verification network to provide them with the most complete and accurate information.”

    RealTraffic is a digital traffic application, that seamlessly integrates into the websites of Departments of Transportation, newspapers, radio and TV stations across the country, giving visitors an easy to use service that quickly lets them know when traffic incidents occur that affect their commute from home or from work and it offers alternate routes they can use to avoid them. RealTraffic, developed by Westwood One and Maptuit, Inc. provides commuters with live traffic maps, driving directions, personalized commute pages, traffic cameras and email/mobile traffic alerts.

    “The RealTraffic application delivers our customers the most comprehensive traffic information service available in the marketplace,” said Gary Krantz, Chief Digital Media Officer of Westwood One. “We are thrilled to work with our affiliate partners in supporting their needs and reaching this new milestone with our longtime partner Maptuit.”

    “We are very excited to reach this new milestone with Westwood One and continue to raise the bar for traffic information services for commuters as they demand content that is relevant and accurate and that helps in their daily lives,” stated Jeffrey Papows, President and CEO of Maptuit. “We are looking forward to continuing to make the application more robust in the future, and with the introduction of APIs for PND, Mobile Fleet and Web clients, we will further expand the reach of the RealTraffic network.”

    The latest version of RealTraffic delivers our affiliates a service in a simple package. RealTraffic 2.0 provides live traffic maps, KeyRoute™ travel times, driving directions integrated with live traffic reports/trip delays/alternate routes, MyCommute personal traffic pages and email and mobile alerts and over 3000 traffic cameras.

    Founded in 1999, Maptuit Corporation is the leading provider of location information web services for consumer and transportation markets. Built around the industry's most sophisticated and up-to-date model of the North American road network, Maptuit has developed its services to support the transportation, tracking and traffic markets. For more information please visit www.maptuit.com. Maptuit is a registered trademark in the United States, and Maptuit, RealTraffic, MyCommute and other names or logos identifying the services of Maptuit Corporation are trademarks or service marks of Maptuit Corporation.

    Westwood One (NYSE: WON) provides over 150 news, sports, music, talk, entertainment programs, features and live events. Through its subsidiaries, Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcast Services, Westwood One provides local content to the radio and TV industries including news, sports, weather, traffic, video news services and other information. SmartRoute Systems manages traffic information centers for state and local departments of transportation, and markets traffic and travel content to wireless, Internet, in-vehicle navigation systems and voice portal customers. Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio stations. Westwood One is managed by CBS Radio.

    Press Contacts:
    Peter Sessa |Westwood One |212.641.2053 |peter_sessa@westwoodone.com
    Carlos Bernal, Maptuit |781.222.5068 x230 |carlos.bernal@maptuit.com

     

     
  • 2007 Press Releases

  • 11-26-2007

    WESTWOOD ONE ANNOUNCES GROUP INTERACTIVE AGREEMENT WITH CITADEL BROADCASTING

    NEW YORK, NY--November 26, 2007 -- Westwood One (NYSE:WON) announced today a group-wide agreement with Citadel Broadcasting (NYSE: CDL) to provide Citadel Interactive with online traffic and news services. Westwood One and Maptuit’s online interactive traffic service,RealTraffic, will debut on 50 Citadel station websites by January 1, 2008 and will provide commuters with real-time traffic information. Westwood One’s online news service, MetroWebNews, will debut on more than 200 Citadel sites, also by January 1, 2008.

    RealTraffic is a digital traffic application, which is seamlessly integrated into the websites of departments of transportation, newspapers, radio and TV stations across the country, giving visitors an easy to use service that quickly lets them know where traffic problems are and which routes they can use to avoid them. RealTraffic, developed by Westwood One and Maptuit, Inc. provides commuters with live traffic maps, driving directions, personalized commute pages, traffic cameras and email/mobile traffic alerts.

    MetroWebNews is also easily integrated into websites nationwide and provides local, statewide, regional news, as well as over 75 customizable categories in sports, genre specific music, health and financial, among others. In addition, to complement its news content, MetroWebNews also provides affiliates with high-quality audio and imagery.

    “This partnership with Citadel represents our largest distribution deal of our key Metro assets with any media entity to date, commented Gary Krantz, Westwood’s Chief Digital Media Officer. “ As Citadel aggressively rolls out their digital platform, we are excited to work closely with Citadel Interactive to create compelling local content to their growing list of radio station websites. We look forward to working with them on additional distribution and products going forward in 2008”

    “This partnership is a tremendous step forward in providing our listeners on-demand access to news and real time traffic in the digital arena” said John Rosso, SVP Digital Media, Citadel. “This is also great news for advertisers. This enhanced web experience will translate into more traffic and a more engaging experience for our online customers.”

    About Citadel
    Citadel Broadcasting Corporation is the third largest radio group in the United States, with a national footprint reaching more than 50 markets. Citadel is comprised of 170 FM stations and 63 AM stations in the nation’s leading markets, in addition to the ABC Radio Network business, which is one of the three largest radio networks in the United States. For more information visit www.citadelbroadcasting.com.

    About Westwood One
    Westwood One (NYSE: WON) provides over 150 news, sports, music, talk, entertainment programs, features and live events. Through its subsidiaries, Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcast Services, Westwood One provides local content to the radio and TV industries including news, sports, weather, traffic, video news services and other information. SmartRoute Systems manages traffic information centers for state and local departments of transportation, and markets traffic and travel content to wireless, Internet, in-vehicle navigation systems and voice portal customers. Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio stations. Westwood One is managed by CBS Radio. For more information visit www.westwoodone.com

    Contact:
    Peter Sessa
    Westwood One
    212.641.2053
    peter_sessa@westwoodone.com

    Mike Pallad
    Citadel Broadcasting
    212 887-1664
    mpallad@citcomm.com

     

     
  • 10-18-2007

    WESTWOOD ONE / SMARTROUTE SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF 511 MASSACHUSETTS -- Westwood One's SmarTraveler Information Service Has Transitioned To Provide 511 Access to Travelers in the Metro Boston Area

    NEW YORK, NY--October 18, 2007 -- Westwood One (NYSE: WON) announced today that commuters are now able to access up-to-the-minute, route-specific traffic, transit, weather, construction and event information by dialing 511 on their wireless telephones in the metro Boston area. The new 511 Massachusetts, a service provided by MassHighway and powered by Westwood One, replaces the existing SmarTraveler service, which has been is use since 1993.

    "SmarTraveler has been the most successful, most-used traffic information service in the country, and with 511 Massachusetts, now more people will be able to access it and learn about more of our highway system," said Transportation and Public Works Secretary Bernard Cohen. "We're constantly looking for ways to improve our transportation system for commuters and travelers in Massachusetts. We expect 511 to help commuters navigate traffic and stay on top of their commutes."

    Since it's inception in 1993 the SmarTraveler Information Service has received over 93 million calls, more than any other similar service in the nation. Instead of dialing *1 on their mobile phones, Eastern Massachusetts commuters will now dial 511 for traffic and transit information. The re-launched service is now available from every wireless phone carrier.

    511 Massachusetts now provides information for Worcester area travelers with information on Interstate 290, which was not previously part of the network. This expansion is designed to service commuters who have seen increased traffic volume in the Worcester area in recent years. In addition, commuters can now call 511 instead of #321 to report road debris or road problems or for general MassHighway information.

    About Westwood One
    Westwood One (NYSE: WON), the country's leading provider of audio content and programming, provides over 150 news, sports, music, talk, entertainment programs, features and live events. Through its subsidiaries, Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcast Services, Westwood One provides local content to the radio and TV industries including news, sports, weather, traffic, video news services and other information. SmartRoute Systems manages traffic information centers for state and local departments of transportation, and markets traffic and travel content to wireless, Internet, in-vehicle navigation systems and voice portal customers. Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio stations. Westwood One is managed by CBS Radio. For more information visit www.westwoodone.com.

    Contact:
    Peter Sessa
    Westwood One
    212.641.2053
    peter_sessa@westwoodone.com

     

     
  • 10-17-2007

    AT&T, Alcatel-Lucent, BEA, Cognizant, IBM, Motorola, Microsoft and Westwood One Team Up to Deliver Groundbreaking Content Commerce Standards -- First Ever “Content Encounter” at Management World Americas 2007 Puts TM Forum at Forefront of Managing the New Digital Marketplace

    MORRISTOWN, NJ--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 17, 2007 -- The TM Forum announced today a ground-breaking, interactive demonstration involving many of the luminaries of the communications, entertainment and media world that demonstrates how to manage converged content and multimedia services using open interfaces. The walk-through, hands on demonstration named “Content Encounter” immerses the visitor into an integrated services environment, showing delivery of integrated and personalized communications services that include a range of informational and entertainment content and business applications. The goal is to enable a new ‘digital marketplace’ for content owners, service providers, device manufacturers, advertisers and consumers.

    TM Forum, the world’s leading industry organization dedicated to business transformation, operations and management for the converging worlds of communications, information and entertainment will unveil this work at their upcoming Management World Americas event, November 5-8 in Dallas. The interactive showcase integrates emerging standards into the lifecycle of content from creation to consumption, illustrating each step along the way with demonstrations and technical, behind the scenes explanations. Highlights include real-time delivery of content and location-based information to a variety of devices from mobile phones to wide-screen TVs.

    “Today’s market is being driven by the conflux of the communications, Internet, entertainment and other content-centric industries colliding. As the lines blur and new business models take shape almost weekly, it is more important than ever for operators, content providers and everyone in the value chain to work together to provide innovative services to subscribers,” said Martin Creaner, President of the TM Forum. “This project represents the TM Forum commitment to developing standards as a means to bring all parties to the table to define a common ground, and as a result help advance creativity and technology in this new market.”

    Content in the demonstration will include video, news, and audio interviews, location-based services as well as advertisements from local Dallas restaurants that include real discounts for demonstration visitors. The motivation for Content Encounter is to use a standard interface between the multitude of content providers and communication service providers. In the real-world, use of a standard interface will greatly reduce the amount of time, risk and cost for operators and content providers to work together, without which the business scenario of rich content offerings to end customers becomes complex and unprofitable.

    “The collaborative effort of the TM Forum Content Encounter initiative is an important step in enabling content providers and service providers to rapidly deliver diverse content and innovative, integrated and converged services in an unprecedented, personalized manner to end users,” said Mark Francis, AT&T Vice President, Enterprise Architecture. As the service provider sponsor for the Content Encounter project, AT&T provided the vision and focus of the initiative.

    Content Encounter will be open Tuesday and Wednesday, November 6 and 7th from Noon to 7 pm and Thursday from 10 am to 2:30 pm at the Management World event. For more information or to arrange a guided walkthrough, contact Juliet Shavit at jshavit@tmforum.org

    About the TM Forum
    With over 600 members in 65 countries, the TM Forum is the world’s leading trade association focused on management of information, communications and entertainment services. The Forum provides leadership, strategic guidance and practical solutions to improve the way that services are created, delivered, assured and charged. Members include the majority of the world’s service providers, network operators, software suppliers, equipment suppliers and systems integrators.

    The Forum currently facilitates over 80 technical programs and provides extensive training, conferencing and information services to its members. Through its initiatives to help providers move to 21st century ‘lean’ processes, the Forum helps its members automate business processes by deploying operational systems that will work seamlessly across various parts of the service delivery chain. The organization provides industry benchmarks, guidebooks, process and software frameworks and specific ‘plug and play’ standards. These give service providers the direction and specific roadmaps to achieve much greater business efficiency and operational flexibility.

    For further information regarding the TM Forum, related programs such as the Prosspero initiative and its Management World conferences, please visit www.tmforum.org

    Contact:
    TM Forum
    Juliet Shavit
    +1 215-504-4272
    jshavit@tmforum.org

     

     
  • 09-10-2007

    WESTWOOD ONE INTERACTIVE EXPANDS WITH NEW ADDITIONS AND KEY APPOINTMENTS -- Adam Niemen named Vice President, Interactive Content -- Nicole Horsford named Vice President, Interactive Sales and Marketing

    NEW YORK, NY--September 10, 2007 -- Westwood One (NYSE: WON) announced today a restructuring within the Company’s Digital Media/Interactive division. Effective immediately, Adam Niemen has been named Vice President of Interactive Content, overseeing all aspects of the creation, execution and maintenance of original content for Westwood One’s growing portfolio of digital media assets. Effective September 17, 2007, Nicole Horsford will be named Vice President, Interactive Sales and Marketing, responsible for the monetization of Westwood One Digital Assets. Both Niemen and Horsford will be based in New York and will report directly to Westwood One Chief Digital Media Officer, Gary Krantz.

    “As our digital platform continues to grow, the addition of these great professionals to our team represents Westwood One’s commitment to the continued creation and monetization of these assets,” commented Krantz. “In addition, we are re-directing our internal resources with individuals within Westwood One/Metro Networks who have demonstrated the skill sets to take our initiatives forward.”

    Adam Neiman – VP/Interactive Content
    Adam joins Westwood One from Clear Channel Interactive, where he served as Program Director of their Format Labs, before which he worked as SR. Director/Programming for Music Choice. Adam’s responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of the creation, execution and maintenance of original content for Westwood One’s growing portfolio of digital media assets within Talk, Music, Entertainment, and Sports Programming.

    Nicole Horsford – VP/Interactive Sales and Marketing
    Nicole joins Westwood One from Oddcast, a company whose expertise includes cutting edge technology for user generated media, viral marketing campaigns, video and avatar technology. Prior to Oddcast, Nicole served as an Account Executive for Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising. Nicole is responsible for the monetization of Westwood One Digital Assets, including: direct advertising sales of banner, in-Stream and interactive sponsorships; as well as advertising revenues associated with new business arrangements with licensing, re-sale, and partnerships with media companies, mobile providers, portals, and other potential customer targets.

    Westwood One’s Digital Media/Interactive division also includes:
    • Benjamin Kayne - Senior Director, Interactive Sales and Operations
    • Sean Crabtree - Manager/Digital Media
    • Eli Dvorkin – Manager, Interactive Entertainment Content
    • Bill Martin – SVP/Interactive Traffic Services
    • Bill Richardson - National News Director, Metro Source Online

    About Westwood One
    Westwood One (NYSE: WON), the country's leading provider of audio content and programming, provides over 150 news, sports, music, talk, entertainment programs, features and live events. Through its subsidiaries, Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcast Services, Westwood One provides local content to the radio and TV industries including news, sports, weather, traffic, video news services and other information. SmartRoute Systems manages traffic information centers for state and local departments of transportation, and markets traffic and travel content to wireless, Internet, in-vehicle navigation systems and voice portal customers. Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio stations. Westwood One is managed by CBS Radio. For more information visit www.westwoodone.com.

    Contact:
    Peter Sessa
    Westwood One
    212.641.2053
    peter_sessa@westwoodone.com

     

     
  • 06-26-2007

    WESTWOOD ONE AND ACCU WEATHER ANNOUNCE INTERNET AND MOBILE WEB PARTNERSHIP -- Partnership Brings Metro Networks’ Traffic to AccuWeather.com On the Internet and on the Mobile Web

    NEW YORK, NY--June 26, 2007 -- Westwood One (NYSE: WON) and AccuWeather, Inc. announced today an extension of their content and distribution partnership by which Metro Networks traffic content will be added to the free AccuWeather.com sites on both the wired and mobile web. Beginning in August 2007, visitors to AccuWeather.com, one of the most trafficked sites on the Internet, will have access to Metro Networks’ RealTraffic interactive traffic service, complete with continuously updated interactive maps, incident data, personal driving routes, and traffic alerts. The same timely information will be delivered to users accessing AccuWeather.com from their mobile devices.

    "This is a best in brand partnership by two great companies, to offer online and mobile users the most comprehensive weather and traffic experience anywhere,” said Gary Krantz, Chief Digital Media Officer of Westwood One. “It is yet another step in Westwood One's commitment to working proactively with our blue chip partners on creating new interactive services for consumers and advertisers."

    “AccuWeather is pleased to work with Westwood One to bring our AccuWeather.com audience the most timely, reliable, and relevant information,” said Dr. Joel N. Myers, AccuWeather Founder and President. “As both a weather and media leader, we are dedicated to providing the timely information customers want, on their computers, on their phones, and anywhere else they may need it.”

    Westwood One and AccuWeather first partnered in 2003 to exclusively bring AccuWeather content to radio. AccuWeather now offers local customized weather forecasts and content to over 200 radio stations nationwide, including: WINS-AM New York, WCAA-FM New York, WBBM-AM Chicago, WBZ-AM Boston, WMAL-AM Washington DC, and WBT-AM Charlotte, among others.

    About AccuWeather
    AccuWeather, The World’s Weather Authority, presents accurate, localized, branded forecasts and severe weather bulletins to over 110 million Americans each day via the Internet, mobile devices and IPTV, through the airwaves, and in print. The 113 meteorologists at AccuWeather deliver a portfolio of customized products and services to media, business, government, and institutions, and inform millions of visitors worldwide through the free AccuWeather.com website. AccuWeather also provides content onto more than 20,000 third-party Internet sites, including CNN Interactive, ABC’s owned and operated stations, The Washington Post and The New York Times.). On the web or on your cell phone, visit www.accuweather.com for more information.

    About Westwood One
    Westwood One (NYSE: WON) provides over 150 news, sports, music, talk, entertainment programs, features and live events. Through its subsidiaries, Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcast Services, Westwood One provides local content to the radio and TV industries including news, sports, weather, traffic, video news services and other information. SmartRoute Systems manages traffic information centers for state and local departments of transportation, and markets traffic and travel content to wireless, Internet, in-vehicle navigation systems and voice portal customers. Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio stations. Westwood One is managed by CBS Radio. For more information visit www.westwoodone.com.

    Press Contact:
    Peter Sessa
    Westwood One
    212.641.2053
    peter_sessa@westwoodone.com

    Press Contact:
    Justin Roberti
    AccuWeather, Inc.
    814.235.8756 roberti@accuweather.com

     

     
  • 06-20-2007

    WESTWOOD ONE APPOINTS BILL MARTIN SVP INTERACTIVE SERVICES

    NEW YORK, NY--June 20, 2007 -- Westwood One (NYSE:WON) announced today that effective immediately, Bill Martin will assume the position of Senior Vice President of Interactive Services. In his new role, Martin oversees digital content distribution and partnerships for Westwood One’s traffic information services including online, mobile, automotive, commercial fleet and government markets.

    “Bill is one of the most respected and talented executives in the traffic industry and has done a fantastic job establishing Westwood One as the clear leader in the marketplace,” commented Gary Krantz, Westwood One’s Chief Digital Media Officer. “As we continue to lead the way in the delivery of our traffic and news data to these new and emerging markets, Bill’s experience and strategic vision will be a tremendous asset for the company.”

    “Westwood One is the most widely used source of real-time traffic information in the U.S. and I am excited to help introduce new compelling applications and services for our affiliates and commuters,” states Martin. “It is certainly a privilege to work with the leading traffic information team and our extensive network of strategic partners, affiliates and interactive customers.”

    Bill Martin has over 15 years of sales management experience that spans the media, advertising and content industry. Martin has held numerous sales management positions and most recently served as Director of Sales with SmartRoute Systems, a Westwood One Company. Martin will be based in Boston, Massachusetts.

    About Westwood One
    Westwood One (NYSE: WON), the country's leading provider of audio content and programming, provides over 150 news, sports, music, talk, entertainment programs, features and live events. Through its subsidiaries, Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcast Services, Westwood One provides local content to the radio and TV industries including news, sports, weather, traffic, video news services and other information. SmartRoute Systems manages traffic information centers for state and local departments of transportation, and markets traffic and travel content to wireless, Internet, and in-vehicle navigation systems. Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio stations. Westwood One is managed by CBS Radio. For more information visit www.westwoodone.com.

    Contact:
    Peter Sessa
    Westwood One
    212.641.2053
    peter_sessa@westwoodone.com

     

     
  • 04-18-2007

    WESTWOOD ONE AND MSNAP ANNOUNCE MOBILE MARKETING AGREEMENT -- Arrangement Provides Mobile Interactivity to Westwood One Programming

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA and NEW YORK, NY--April 18, 2007 -- Westwood One (NYSE:WON) and mSnap, Inc., a leading mobile marketing technology company, today announced a strategic relationship to integrate mSnap’s mobile marketing platform with Westwood One network radio programming. The multi-year agreement will provide selected Westwood One music, talk and sports programming with mobile advertising capabilities, as well as allow program personalities and advertisers to engage listeners in an interactive mobile dialogue.

    “Westwood One’s broad national reach gives us the missing piece in the mobile marketing puzzle,” said mSnap CEO, Timothy Favia. “When combined with our unique mobile marketing platform, the partnership allows us to offer advertisers the ability to reach in excess of 100 million mobile consumers and engage them in a relevant, consent-based way. Radio advertising and programming is now more interactive, engaging and measurable than ever.”

    mSnap’s mobile advertising technology platform enables radio programmers and listening audiences to communicate with each other, making both radio programming and advertising more interactive. Powering a nationwide network of radio stations to create interactive consumer experiences, mSnap’s platform converts traditional ‘push’ media to permission based marketing, delivering text messages or rich media via WAP (wireless application protocol) to consumers’ mobile phones. “This partnership is another example of Westwood One’s continued commitment to providing enhanced multiplatform opportunities for our advertisers,” said Gary Krantz, Chief Digital Media Officer of Westwood One. “Westwood One now offers one-to-one marketing solutions through mSnap coupled with the kind of intensive consumer reach that only network radio can deliver.”

    About Westwood One
    Westwood One (NYSE: WON) provides over 150 news, sports, music, talk, entertainment programs, features and live events. Through its subsidiaries, Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcast Services, Westwood One provides local content to the radio and TV industries including news, sports, weather, traffic, video news services and other information. SmartRoute Systems manages traffic information centers for state and local departments of transportation, and markets traffic and travel content to wireless, Internet, in-vehicle navigation systems and voice portal customers. Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio stations. Westwood One is managed by CBS Radio. For more information visit www.westwoodone.com.

    About mSnap, Inc
    mSnap is a leading mobile marketing technology company whose ad delivery and management platform enables traditional media and advertisers to engage consumers in an interactive dialogue. Currently focused on radio, mSnap has built the largest national network of affiliate radio stations, potentially reaching an audience in excess of 100 million listeners per week. mSnap is positioned to capture a significant share of the nascent mobile marketing sector, as advertisers increasingly look to harness the power of mobile interactivity to drive dramatic improvements in the effectiveness of traditional media. mSnap has received funding from leading venture capital firms, First Round Capital and Partech International. For more information, visit http://www.msnap.com.

    Press Contacts:
    Peter Sessa
    Westwood One
    212-641-2053
    peter_sessa@westwoodone.com

    John Falcone
    mSnap
    203-687-6147
    john@msnap.com

     

     
  • 01-30-2007

    WESTWOOD ONE/METRO NETWORKS AND MAPTUIT ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF REALTRAFFIC V.2.0 -- DRIVES WEB READERS TO LOCAL MEDIA WEBSITES FOR REAL-TIME TRAFFIC NFORMATION

    New York, NY--January 30, 2007 -- Westwood One/Metro Networks (NYSE: WON) and Maptuit corporation announce the release of RealTraffic 2.0, a significantly enhanced version of its real-time traffic reporting web application designed to dramatically improve the commuting experience by providing up-tothe- minute traffic information to help make better driving decisions. RealTraffic is currently the largest provider of real-time traffic content to media sites in the country with over 130 newspaper, radio, DOT and TV websites using this service generating over 12 million monthly page views combined. RealTraffic 2.0 comes loaded with new features and functionality and now provides a more user friendly and more personalized experience.

    Some of the new features include: color-coded Speed and Flow maps based on traffic sensor data, Key Routes, which allows users to see the route’s Traffic Index™ time and calculated delay time based on traffic flow, and Maptuit’s new larger draggable maps with richer colors and easy-to-read detail. Another key new feature In RealTraffic 2.0 is the addition of “My Commute”, an industry first. This feature allows individuals to set-up their daily door-to-door commute, and to receive traffic alerts either via the web or via text messages to their cell phone, keeping them informed and alerting them about traffic incidents along their own chosen route.

    “Over the past few years we’ve created the ultimate commuter experience by offering Maptuit’s and Westwood One’s RealTraffic service on media portals,” stated Westwood One/Metro Networks Chief Digital Media Officer Gary Krantz “With RealTraffic 2.0 that experience is enhanced by providing more personalized content. The new personalized traffic report, MyCommute, includes greater content and specifically alerts subscribers to traffic events that impact their commute or other travel plans. Users can get alternate directions to help them get to where they need to go. Diversified Media sites in Radio, Television, Newspapers, and regional sites are experiencing increased web traffic, increased and advertising revenues, creating web reader loyalty by keeping the reader on their site at all times and providing content that is relevant, timely and useful. Current Media sites using Realtraffic 2.0 included 1010 WINS-AM/NY, WABC-TV/NY, Washingtonpost.com, and NorthJersey.com.

    “Maptuit has invested a great deal of time, energy and resources in developing our new maps, traffic speed and flow features, all of which are of great benefit to our customers and partners” stated Jeff Papows, CEO of Maptuit. “With RealTraffic 2.0, subscribers will have greater flexibility, content and media sites will be able to enjoy a boost in their web traffic when they deploy RealTraffic on their sites, that to me is a win-win for all involved”

    Westwood One/Metro Networks and Maptuit have developed the RealTraffic 2.0 service by leveraging their core strengths . Westwood One has the largest traffic gathering and reporting operation in the world, tapping into a network that is made up of over 1,800 reporters, a fleet of more than 100 aircraft, and thousands of traffic cameras, reporting through 70 operation centers located in every major city. RealTraffic and now RealTraffic 2.0 is becoming a “must have” traffic service for media portals to use to attract and retain loyal readers and subscribers. Maptuit is a proven technology innovator having provided the first realtime, hybrid and dynamic in-cab truck navigation solution for the commercial transportation industry, as well as the first in-vehicle truck-to-door navigation service for the truckload carrier and logistics market. Maptuit currently powers 5 of the top 10 trucking companies in the country, and hundreds of web sites with its core road and location information systems.

    How It Works
    With RealTraffic 2.0, commuters who subscribe to the service are able to set up personalized accounts via MyCommute, where they can enter locations such as “work” and “home”, as well as define trips between them such as “home to the gym on weekdays at 7:30AM”, or “work to home, weekdays between 5:30PM and 7PM”. At the specified time intervals, the RealTraffic 2.0 service checks each trip for traffic incidents and notifies the commuter of any traffic advisory that will impact their trip using a SMS (Short Message Service) or e-mail alert.

    RealTraffic 2.0 Features:
    • Key Routes – time delays on the roadways with Traffic Index™ and delay time
    • MyCommute – personalized preferences with Traffic Index™ and delay time
    • Precise directions, right down to the lane (express, collectors, shoulder, etc.) of the roadway.
    • Incident information placed in context using an interactive street level map.
    • Overlaid icons, points of interest, traffic cameras and message signs.
    • Updates automatically every few minutes.
    • Traffic cameras by route.
    • Driving Directions integrated with traffic information – select a route which avoids traffic delays or get an alternate route

    About Westwood One
    Westwood One (NYSE: WON), the country's leading provider of audio content and programming, provides over 150 news, sports, music, talk, entertainment programs, features, and live events including: The NFL and the Super Bowl; NCAA Football; NCAA Basketball and the Final Four; The NHL; The GRAMMY Awards; the Academy of Country Music Awards; CBS, CNN and NBC Radio News; the Radio Factor with Bill O’Reilly; Imus in the Morning; and more. Through its subsidiaries, Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcast Services, Westwood One provides local content to the radio and TV industries including news, sports, weather, traffic, video news services and other information. SmartRoute Systems manages traffic information centers for state and local departments of transportation, and markets traffic and travel content to wireless, Internet, in-vehicle navigation systems and voice portal customers. Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio stations. Westwood One is managed by CBS Radio.

    About Maptuit Corporation
    Founded in 1999, Maptuit Corporation, headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, provides truck specific, real-time, turn-by-turn directions and navigation solutions for the trucking industry, and tracking and traffic services for the transportation and consumer markets. With Maptuit’s advanced real-time web services and patented technology, companies benefit from the ability to easily look up addresses, create maps, perform proximity searches, generate optimized routes and provide directions. For more information please visit www.maptuit.com.

    Maptuit is a registered trademark in the United States, and Maptuit and other names or logos identifying the services are trademarks or service marks of Maptuit Corporation.

    Press Contacts:
    Peter Sessa
    Westwood One
    212.641.2053
    peter_sessa@westwoodone.com

    Media Contact
    Carlos Bernal
    Maptuit Corporation
    781-222-5068 x 230
    carlos.bernal@maptuit.com

     

     
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