Southfield, MI, December 6, 2016 – ENCO and Benztown announce the first deployment of its integrated radio automation and production library solution, with customer KLMI(FM) of Laramie, Wyoming reporting a simplified workflow that both accelerates and increases content turnaround to air.
The partnership, announced at the 2016 NAB Show, automates the previously all-manual process of ingesting and scheduling production library content into a radio automation system. The value to broadcasters is further amplified given Benztown’s unique ability to update and push content to ENCO’s DAD radio automation system in real-time. DAD is the first system of its kind to support this level of integration between automation and production library content.
“Our goal is to automate the entire process so that the DJ or control room operator can quickly procure fresh content associated with a program or theme, and continue to populate playlists with relevant facts, news, liners, music, artist interviews, and other entertainment assets,” said Ken Frommert, general manager, ENCO. “This content is now immediately available to KLMI without any manual intervention.”
DAD radio automation systems can house thousands of cuts, and customers like KLMI can intelligently and efficiently manage the ingestion of Benztown content by establishing a numerical range for these files. Upon entering specific criteria, DAD automatically pulls relevant content from the Benztown server as it appears. Customers like KLMI can then utilize ENCO’s Dropbox utility to further manage content prior to scheduling and playout, including file editing (“Instatrim”), grouping and normalization.
KLMI was an ideal first deployment given its use of and familiarity with ENCO and Benztown systems, according to Shawn Faxon, owner, Wolf Creek Broadcasting, the parent company of KLMI(FM).
“This seamless integration has truly enhanced both the ENCO and Benztown experience,” said Faxon. “Whereas we would previously manually log into Benztown from a web portal, download and ingest content manually – a process that in itself was user-friendly – the transition to an automated workflow saves us additional time and labor in the very time-sensitive universe of live radio. We no longer have to wait for a producer to receive and deliver content; it’s all there at our fingertips, making life far easier for our on-air talent.”
Benztown stands apart from competitive production library suppliers by offering a subscription model that aligns content with a station’s format. With 21 branded libraries serving 13 formats, customers have access to promos, sweepers, song intros, listener drops, musicbeds, artist IDs and imaging work parts alongside other high-quality audio elements. This model offers a more defined approach than competitive services that favor customization of library content, which can escalate production times and slow turnaround to air.
“KLMI’s morning show offers one clear example of this benefit,” said Dave ‘Chachi’ Denes, president, Benztown. “Most typical four-hour morning shows plan the next day’s program well in advance, with the understanding that things can, do and will change on the fly. By ensuring that producers and talent have the most relevant and up-to-date content that aligns with that morning’s program, we’re removing the headaches and stress of bringing important and timely news and entertainment to listeners. Our integration with DAD ensures that operators can quickly audition and take that content to air.”
About ENCO
Founded in 1983, ENCO Systems is a world leader in playout and automation system solutions for demanding radio and television organizations. ENCO is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan USA and retains a worldwide distribution network. For more information, please visit: www.enco.com.
About Benztown
Benztown is a leading international radio imaging, production library, programming, jingles and voiceover services company with over 2,200 affiliations on six different continents. In 2016, Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for the fourth consecutive year as one of America’s Fastest GrowingPrivately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles, New York, and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging workparts for 20 libraries across 13 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Urban, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, JACK, and Alien Imaging's AI-FX1 and AI-FX2 sound effects libraries. Benztown’s proprietary web-based imaging solution, Benztown Branding, is used daily by nearly 1,200 broadcast radio stations and digital services worldwide. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets and distributes high quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Todd ‘N’ Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Remote News Service, Vipology, Mr. Master, Explicitly Old School With Sir Mix-A-Lot, Nessa On Air, Dawson McAllister Live and Flashback. For more information, visit www.benztown.com.
