Cumulus Speaks To Alexa

• Cumulus Media has partnered with XAPPmedia to launch Amazon Alexa skills for its 300 local radio stations, its Westwood One brands, plus the leading dedicated Christmas Radio Skill, Christmas Radio. This is the largest collection of custom skills available with Amazon Alexa in the U.S. This week marks the kick-off of a national consumer marketing campaign designed to educate listeners on how to find and enable skills, fueled by local on-air, video and social promotion.

“Voice-interactive technology is bringing radio listening back into the home and office, and will enable interactivity with our stations in the connected car,” said Mike McVay, EVP, Programming and Content, Cumulus Media. “Our strategy is to create a custom skill for individual radio stations and programs, while educating consumers, is critical, as smart speakers have created an entirely new, and rapidly growing platform to consume audio content.”

Suzanne Grimes, EVP, Corporate Marketing, Cumulus Media and President of Westwood One, said, “At an aggregated network level we will have access to valuable data and insights on this rapidly-evolving audio ecosystem. We are dedicated to educating, testing and learning to evolve the listening experience for our listeners and brand partners.” Pat Higbie, CEO and co-founder of XAPPmedia said, “Cumulus Media has a track record as media innovators. It is a pleasure working with executives with a long-term vision for how voice interaction will change radio.”