Press Releases

Lincoln Financial Media Expands Relationship with Emmis Interactive, 06.25.08

Already a sales consulting partner, Emmis Interactive tapped to provide technology as well

Chicago... Emmis Interactive, Inc., the software and consulting company that empowers the reinvention of local media, today announced it has expanded its relationship with Lincoln Financial Media to provide sales and technology services for the websites in its four markets.

Emmis Interactive began working with Lincoln in March of 2007 and was originally engaged to help the company more fully understand the opportunities of an interactive business, advising Lincoln on operational setup and working as the interactive revenue sales trainer and consultant in three markets — Atlanta (WQXI-AM/WSTR-FM), Denver (KEPN-AM, KKFN-AM/FM, KQKS-FM, KYGO-FM) and Miami (WAXY-AM, WLYF-FM, WMXJ-FM).

Working with Emmis Interactive, Lincoln ramped up revenue operations and saw vitality in using an integrated media approach. For example, a Starbucks® Cyber Remote™ in Atlanta on STAR94.com (STAR 94 FM) in December attracted more than 4,000 visitors, with more than 2,800 listeners entering its "Free Coffee for a Year" online event promotion.

Wishing to further its interactive capabilities and revenues, Lincoln has now signed an agreement for Emmis Interactive to power all its station sites in Atlanta, Denver, Miami and San Diego (KBZT-FM, KIFM-FM, KSON-AM/FM, KSOQ-FM) with its content management system, BaseStation™. From media management, interactive community tools and user-generated content, to detailed reports that measure audience behavior and advertiser return on investment, BaseStation™ gives local media clients a competitive edge in an environment of changing expectations.

"Our people are experts at creating content. Using the Emmis Interactive platform makes it easy to focus on creating great multi-media experiences for our audience and then combine that with custom advertising campaigns to generate measurable results for our advertisers" said John Dimick, Vice President of Programming and Operations for Lincoln Financial Media. "It's a win-win situation. Emmis Interactive has leading-edge technology and the tools that allow us to do what we do best, and that gives us a competitive advantage in a very dynamic marketplace."

"We have looked at many different ways to grow our opportunities in the interactive space. Emmis Interactive is the real deal — they roll up their sleeves and get into the marketplace with us. They sincerely care about our business and have all the support mechanisms to ensure we succeed," said Tom Jackson, Director of Interactive Media for Lincoln Financial Media.

"Emmis Interactive's mission is to empower the reinvention of local media. It is an honor to serve Lincoln Financial Media as they represent the gold standard in local broadcasting excellence. As pioneers who care about the future of radio, Lincoln Financial Media is showing great leadership and commitment by redefining their business model," said Deborah Esayian, Co-President of Emmis Interactive.

Since announcing its intent to market its services to radio broadcasters and other local media companies in late April, Emmis Interactive has announced partnerships with Renda Broadcasting and Big League Broadcasting, as well as announcing a licensing agreement with the iTunes Store to market its custom Storefront technology.

Emmis Interactive, Inc., an award-winning global software and consulting company, provides local broadcasters and publishers with profitable, sustainable interactive businesses. Combining years of broadcast and publishing experience with cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service, Emmis Interactive empowers local media companies with a comprehensive digital strategy to maximize the value of their media brands. Services include interactive strategy for executive management, interactive sales training, content management consulting, proprietary technology platform and hosting services, custom website design and interactive product development.

Emmis Interactive Inc. is an Emmis Communications Company. For more information about Emmis Interactive, visit emmisinteractive.com.

About Lincoln Financial Media
Lincoln Financial Media Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC), owns and operates 15 radio stations in major markets, including Atlanta, GA (WQXI-AM, WSTR-FM), Denver, CO (KEPN-AM, KKFN-AM/FM, KQKS-FM, KYGO-FM), Miami, FL (WAXY-AM, WLYF-FM, WMXJ-FM) and San Diego, CA (KBZT-FM, KIFM-FM, KSON-AM/FM, KSOQ-FM).

Certain statements included in this report or in the financial statements contained herein which are not statements of historical fact, including but not limited to those identified with the words "expect," "will" or "look" are intended to be, and are, by this Note, identified as "forward-looking statements," as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future result, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement. Emmis does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.