Local Tech Firm Lands Deal To Operate Customized Radio Stations For Businesses.
This story was published last week by IBJ’s Anthony Schoettle.
Fishers-based audio marketing technology company Vibenomics Inc. announced it has signed deals with the Indianapolis Airport Authority and Downtown Indy Inc. to create custom audio packages to be piped into the Indianapolis International Airport and downtown’s Georgia Street corridor.
The effort, dubbed “Project High Note,” is designed to give the airport and Georgia Street corridor a unique sound that is inviting to visitors and local residents.
“Indianapolis International Airport Radio” will greet visitors when they land in Indianapolis with custom welcome announcements and event information.
And as guests and residents stroll along one of downtown’s most prominent outdoor public spaces, they will hear “Georgia Street Radio,” which will be a mix of light rock music, announcements and advertisements.
“We’re always striving to connect the 8.7 million passengers that come through our airport with a world-class customer experience, and Vibenomics enhances that opportunity through music and information, and showcases the innovations coming out of our Indy tech community,” Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, said in a written statement.
Downtown Indy also is participating in Vibenomics’ advertising platform, the Vibe On Network, providing the organization with the ability to promote and run ads for local businesses and organizations on its custom radio station.
More than 500,000 residents, visitors and downtown workers attend events on Georgia Street each year, and thousands more use it to travel to events at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the convention center and nearby bars and restaurants, according to Downtown Indy.
There are several important differences between the service that Vibenomics will offer and that of the previous company—Mood Music—that provided a sound package along Georgia Street, according to Bob Schultz, senior vice president of marketing and events for Downtown Indy.
As part of its deal, Vibenomics records all the custom sound bites and special messages Downtown Indy requests, Schultz said, and the local company sells ads and shares the revenue with Downtown Indy. The new Vibenomics package for Georgia Street will also have real-time weather updates voiced by local meteorologist Paul Poteet. Those options were not part of the previous sound package.
“It’s a much more affordable option for us,” Schultz said. “They’ll help bring us an important revenue stream we can use to maintain Georgia Street, and its brought to us by a local entrepreneur, and we want to support that.”
It’s not yet clear how much revenue the deal will generate, added Schultz.
Already, he said, companies like Jack’s Donuts and Metro PCS, have signed up to run ads.
“We don’t want to be like a commercial radio station,” Schultz said. “We’re not going to run a bunch of commercials. It might be four or five songs then a commercial or special announcement. We’ll also tell people about upcoming events.”
Vibenomics currently operates in more than 800 locations, including convenience stores, restaurants and family fun centers.
Formerly known as Fuzic, Vibenomics was a finalist for “scale-up of the year” in the 2018 Mira Awards, the biggest tech awards program in Indiana.
Inside Indiana Business interviews Vibenomics Founder Brent Oakley