Startups emerge to help firms craft engaging content
Several local startups have popped up to capitalize on the growing interest in content marketing, defined in part by enterprise-generated blog posts, infographics, how-to videos and more.
Communications
Articles
Television executive joins marketing firm to accelerate growth of new technology
It took former WISH-TV Channel 8 General Manager Jeff White only one trip to VisionThree’s studio to convince him to take an ownership stake in the company and spearhead sales and product development for the firm full time.
Indy library boosts streaming offerings for movies, TV, music
The Indianapolis Public Library has multiplied the amount of media it makes available for free streaming through a partnership with the Hoopla online content service.
Comcast loses fewest TV customers in eight years
Comcast, the largest cable company in Indiana and the nation, is trumpeting its best year for traditional TV services in nearly a decade, even though it continues to lose TV subscribers.
Angie’s List hires ad firm that created Progressive’s Flo
Angie’s List Inc. is rejiggering its marketing strategy, a move that includes hiring a new branding agency to help get the home-services giant growing rapidly again.
‘Antiques Roadshow’ to pull into Indy this summer
The enduring public-TV show devoted to determining the worth of family heirlooms will hold an appraisal event in Indianapolis on July 9.
NCAA wants new March Madness TV deal
The NCAA last month reopened negotiations with CBS and Turner Broadcasting System for its massive men’s basketball tournament television contract, which generates 85 percent of the organization's revenue.
On LeBron, on Curry: How the NBA stole Christmas
The NBA is trying to make Dec. 25 as much about basketball as Santa. It now features five televised games drawing some 30 million viewers. Ticket prices are double those of other regular-season games.
Indy’s newest country radio station off to slow start
Low ratings for WUBG-FM 98.3 could change with a planned onslaught of billboard and TV promotion. And its value to its owner is being part of a larger local and national advertising strategy.
Radio One launches old-school hip-hop station to battle The Beat
Boom 102.9 FM likely will have a different vibe from the throwback station launched by Cumulus Media last December that briefly skyrocketed to the top of ratings.
Top 40 resurgence helps propel WZPL to top of charts
In just one year, WZPL-FM 99.5 has raced from ninth to first in the Indianapolis radio market among listeners age 6 and older—the broadest demographic category measured.
Attendance dip isn’t deterring Indy Eleven from seeking new stadium
Indy Eleven General Manager Peter Wilt isn’t too worried about the team’s 6.3 percent attendance drop this year, because of gains in sponsorship, food and beverage sales, and soccer-camp revenue.
‘Collaborative economy’ startup links clients with marketers
Startups that tap the so-called gig economy, including ride-hailing powerhouse Uber Technologies Inc., have mostly targeted consumers. But a former Salesforce.com employee has launched one aimed at businesses—and she’s off to a solid start.
Angie’s List seeks to capitalize on ‘free users’
Monetizing free users is just part of the vision that new CEO Scott Durchslag, who took the helm of Angie’s List in September, is laying out to reinvigorate the struggling home-services company, which has seen revenue growth slow notably since last year.
Hamilton County overhauls strategy, targets Chicago visitors
Hamilton County Tourism is in the process of testing a marketing campaign aimed at attracting weekend visitors in the fall months. And it’s targeting only one out-of-state area—Chicago—instead of several.
Billboard company suing city over digital sign ban
The federal suit filed by GEFT Outdoor LLC challenges the constitutionality of the ordinance. It comes in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding regulations for different kinds of sign content.
New publisher combines The Word, Up Downtown
D.J. Doran has promised to increase and diversify content in the revamped tabloid while keeping The Word’s LGBT perspective. Next year, he’ll start publishing The Word twice a month.
Regulators set date for 10-digit dialing in central Indiana
Starting on Sept. 17, calls made within the 317 area will have to be placed using all 10 digits instead of just the final seven.
Indiana Fever among league leaders in sponsorship sales, profitability
For a third consecutive year, the Fever have led the WNBA in sponsorships sales and, more important, have been profitable. Team officials said the margin isn’t huge, but league sources confirmed the Fever is one of only six franchises in the 12-team league to be profitable this year at all.
Butler reverses decision to have spokesman advise student paper
The director of Butler’s journalism school will fill the role instead. Butler had named Marc Allan, the university’s associate director for public relations, to advise the paper, raising conflict-of-interest questions.