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In US, Arbitron announces new position of SVP Digital Media and Analytics

COLUMBIA, Md., Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Arbitron Inc. (NYSE: ARB) announced today that Paul Krasinski has joined the company as Senior Vice President, Digital Media and Analytics, a new position at the company. Mr. Krasinski will report to Tim Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. He will be based primarily in Boston, MA, but will spend a portion of his time in the company's Columbia, MD headquarters.

"Our customers, and the media industry as a whole, see digital platforms as a key part of their long term growth. Adding Paul to our digital media team will help Arbitron better position itself as a partner in digital audio measurement," said Tim Smith. "No stranger to Arbitron's core businesses, Paul's background in radio and digital media make him the perfect candidate to lead our efforts." More...

In UK, RAJAR announces Online Radio listeners reach 16.3m

December 15, 2010 - RAJAR Ltd (Radio Joint Audience Research) releases findings of its seventh survey of internet delivered audio services today, December 15, 2010. The number of smartphone owners who claim to have downloaded a radio app has increased from 1.4 million in June 2010 to 2.2 million. 16.3 million* listeners now claim to listen to radio via the internet, 12.7 million adults have used a Listen Again service and 8.1 million adults have downloaded a podcast.

RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research Limited) was established in 1992 to operate a single audience measurement system for the radio industry - BBC and UK licensed commercial stations.

Christel Swift [picture], research manager, RAJAR comments: “Listening to radio via smartphones has grown rapidly over the past year or so and this is reflected in the number of people who claim to have downloaded a radio app, which now stands at just over a quarter of smartphone owners. This development is excellent news for radio on the go and represents a real opportunity for the radio industry.” More...

German JIC, ag.ma to integrate Web Radio with offline Radio Audience Measurement

W&V writes: Die Funk-Anbieter in der AG.MA haben in die Wege geleitet, dass die „neuen“ Sender und Angebotsformen in die Radio-MA integriert werden. Das haben die Vermarkter AS&S und RMS am Rande des Radio Days in Köln bekannt gegeben. More...

In US, IAB releases Digital Audio Advertising Overview including metrics

NEW YORK, NY (September 28, 2010) — The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) today introduced its “Digital Audio Advertising Overview” Platform Status Report, which defines the digital audio category and provides a snapshot of the marketplace audience size and demographics as well as outlining the players in the market, the vehicles currently used to deliver content and advertising formats, and some of the most important metrics for measuring success.

“The landscape of companies participating in the digital audio sector is broad and diverse and encompasses both the traditional radio world as well as pure-play digital natives,” said Andy Lipset, President, TargetSpot, and Digital Audio Committee co-chair. “This report lays out common terminology and definitions for digital audio advertising, so that the industry can speak with the same language, and it highlights the platform as a viable and exciting channel for interactive advertisers.” More...

In US, Online Audio measurement firms Spacial Audio and Ando Media announce merger

Boston—Aug. 11, 2009 — Spacial Audio and Ando Media announced today a merger that will help accelerate the development of the streaming audio marketplace. Ando Media, working with over 6,500 affiliates, is the leader in audience measurement and ad-replacement for terrestrial broadcasters. Spacial Audio has been the leader in providing automation, ad-insertion and an array of other digital services to primarily pure-play webcasters. The combination of these two innovative companies will provide increased momentum to the rapidly expanding online audio marketplace.

“This merger brings together the strength of Ando’s more terrestrial customer base with Spacial’s large Internet-only base,” said Bob Maccini, Ando CEO. “Together, we now are working across the entire spectrum to drive the streaming audio category to new levels.” More...