Toronto, Ontario – March 14, 2011 – With 28 radio stations in six U.S. markets, leading broadcaster American General Media (AGM) was looking for a way to unify its operations across the miles, increase efficiency and avoid duplication. The Bakersfield, California-based company found what it was looking for in an innovative, unified broadcast management system provided by Specialty Data Systems (SDS) Inc. of Toronto.
American General Media has announced that it has installed SDS’s flagship broadcast management software, SDS Symphony, at each of its 21 FM and seven AM radio stations. The stations – located in Bakersfield, Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo, California, Albuquerque and Farmington, New Mexico and Durango, Colorado – are now equipped with advanced software that integrates each of the stations’ information, across all departments, in real time.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with our decision to convert to the SDS Symphony system,” said Margaret Nuanez, Chief Financial Officer of American General Media, whose company previously had separate databases for each of its six markets. “Our goal was greater efficiency at both a market and corporate level, and SDS was able to meet our objectives and successfully customize the system according to our particular needs.”
“Now, since all processes are done automatically without the need to manually import and export data, our group is realizing valuable time savings while increasing data accuracy and streamlining our operations,” Nuanez said, adding that she appreciates the professionalism displayed by the SDS team in ensuring a seamless transition to the new system. “While there is always some discomfort associated with conversion to any new software, the exceptional team at SDS worked tirelessly to minimize any uneasiness felt by our group – from training all the way through to our first log assembly, the process was carefully thought out and executed as planned, and the results were as expected.”
SDS Symphony provides broadcasters with the ability to instantaneously share information between stations and across departments – from sales, traffic and programming to operations and accounting – eliminating the need for data re-entry and cross-verification. Users access information online in real time and data is filtered and formatted to meet specific needs. The system eases programming of airtime, booking orders, scheduling promos, enforcing credit rules, and producing sales and commission reports.
“Whether a company has one station or multiple outlets, SDS Symphony consolidates and centralizes data so that information is always up-to-date and accessible,” said Dave Cole, President of SDS, adding that the technology also has the ability to adapt as broadcasters grow and the market evolves. “The system’s two-way flow of data allows for faster implementation, and reduces redundancies and costs, giving broadcasters better clarity and control of all aspects of their business while maximizing efficiency and profits.”
Founded in 1983, AGM is a leading owner and operator of radio stations in Southwestern U.S., bringing together the communities it serves through the broadcast of innovative programming, news and entertainment. With the goal of meeting the specific needs of the local markets it serves, AGM provides a diverse range of format choices, including contemporary, modern, adult hits, rock, news and talk, sports, country, oldies and religious stations.
SDS, established in 1993, is a leading North American provider of broadcast management software, specializing in the development of a proven, unified approach to broadcast sales, traffic, programming, operations and accounting. A mid-sized company with more than 250 television and radio station clients representing a billion dollars in advertising revenues, SDS is independent of broadcaster ownership and remains an agile and customer-focused company.
For more information, visit www.sds.ca . Media information, or to set up interviews:
Gail Bergman or Samantha Giovenazzo
Gail Bergman PR
Tel: (905) 886-1340 or (905) 886-3345
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