Beverly Hills, CA (Sept 29, 2010) -- It has been said that the greatest growth of entrepreneurship is always during a financial crises. One of the key pillars of the American Dream is ability to build something great from nothing. Americans have a knack for finding ways to get it done.
Two weeks ago, our country’s elected officials passed a $30 Billion Dollars Small Business Aid Bill that President Obama believes can and will help get Americans back to work. iClick2Media’s American Independent Radio Project (AIR) can be a part of this rebuilding if it is awarded the 24 channels made available by Sirius XM.
From the beginning (February 2009) iClick2Media has had its sight on helping the underserved gain information and help to promote entrepreneurship with these channels. If iClick2Media is granted the 24 channels for its AIR project and builds a block of programming that falls in line with Sirius XM a la Cart programming (as defined by the Merger Order) then the underserved market gains three things. First, it would finally give a voice to a segment of the population that has gone unheard far too long; second, it would inspire entrepreneurs who have had dreams of working in the field of entertainment to become a reality and third, it would afford the 4032 underserved people the ability to build a business for themselves while educating, informing and entertaining an audience that is seeking education, information, and entertainment on a digital level.
If granted these channels iClick2Media has the ability to employ 4050 people across this nation. Yes, I am sure your saying to yourself how can iClick2Media afford to pay that many people? Its simple, 4032 hours of programming will require independent producers, hosts, and DJ to create the AIR programming block. These independent producer, host and DJ will be paid for their efforts from the percentage of the fees paid to AIR from the subscription fees. Further AIR has the ability to seek sponsorship dollars and educational grants to provide the necessary services to fund and employ digital entrepreneurs and their brands. To go a step further, depending on the popularity of these digital entrepreneurs they can create income outside of their duties with AIR. This additional income can come from appearance fees, speaking engagement, books, product endorsement and other ancillary avenues. But this can’t happen unless the original intended goal of the 24 channels is actually implemented and that goal is to empower the voices of the underserved, foster the spread of information for the underserved and for the underserved to be included in the development of this digital movement.
iClick2Media also believes that these channels were not set aside for conglomerates to use to increase their bottom line but for the advancement of information, knowledge, and educational purposes for the underserved market. Further iClick2Media believes that giving the 24 channels back to Sirius XM for them to figure out who or what entity should get them is a bad move and would raise a few eyebrows about what the goal of the FCC was when it accepted the terms and conditions of the Sirius XM merger.
The best solution for the 24 channels is to keep them in the spirit of what they were set aside for. These channels we designed to allow a segment of the American population, the underserved to finally have a space in this digital marketplace. To have their voices, thoughts, ideas and opinions heard by the masses. If these 24 channels are assigned to any entity that is seeking to increase their bottom line, or position an agenda that is not inclusive of the underserved then the FCC has failed to protect again the underserved American population and continues to perpetuate what the underserved population already believes, that the American government does not have its sight on them but on corporations and the wealthy.
For further comments or to schedule an interview, please contact us at (888) 465-1385 or email us at press@iclick2media.com
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Americans Spend More, But Incomes Fail To Keep Pace
By SCOTT STODDARD, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
American consumers are down, but not out, as government data showed spending increased at a modest pace in July despite high unemployment, weak income growth and uncertainty about the economic outlook.
Personal spending climbed 0.4% in July, the most in four months, on increased outlays for cars and other durable goods, the Commerce Department said Monday. Wall Street had forecast a slightly smaller 0.3% gain after June's flat reading. Spending was up 3.4% compared to a year ago.
The increase in spending, while modest, provided some welcome relief. A recent raft of weaker-than-expected economic news, including slumping housing sales and continued high jobless claims, fueled worries the economy could backslide into recession as government stimulus wanes.
"It's consistent with sluggish growth in the near term, but not a double dip (recession)," said Scott Brown, chief economist at Raymond James.
July's spending gains may be hard to maintain if jobs and incomes don't pick up, analysts said. Incomes rose 0.2% from June to July, Commerce said, pushing the savings rate down to 5.9% from June's one-year high of 6.2%.
"With consumers as strapped as they are that (spending outpacing incomes) can't last," said Bruce McCain, head of investment strategy at Key Private Bank.
Real disposable income, or income after taxes, fell 0.1%, the first decline since January.
Economists expect the Labor Department will report Friday that employers cut 120,000 payroll jobs in August as the government shed temporary census workers. Private employers likely added a modest 44,000 staff. The unemployment rate is seen edging up to 9.6%.
The weak labor market and slack wage growth is weighing on consumers, which account for 70% of economic activity.
"We need to see better job growth, and the numbers in the near term are probably going to be pretty soft," Brown said.
President Obama, whose various stimulus efforts are nearing an end, called on Senate Republicans to "drop the blockade" against an aid package for small businesses — the economy's biggest job creators — when Congress returns from summer recess.
Obama pledged added measures to bolster the fragile recovery, which may include increasing investment in clean energy, tax cuts aimed at saving jobs and additional highway-repair projects.
"My economic team is hard at work identifying additional measures that could make a difference in both promoting growth and hiring," he said.
The government said Friday that the economy grew at a tepid 1.6% annual pace in the second quarter, well below the 2.4% pace it initially estimated. Downward revisions to trade and inventory figures outweighed an upward revision to consumer spending.
Federal Reserve head Ben Bernanke said Friday that the central bank stands ready to take further steps to boost the economy if the recovery flags.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
32% of the time spent online are by African American's
New information from The Media Audit's National Report reveals that for many African American households, the Internet now plays a significant role insofar as the amount of time spent online in a typical day.
According to a national study among more than 7,000 African American adults, the typical amount of time spent online is 4 hours and 21 minutes per day, a figure that is 10% higher when compared to all U.S. adults.
The amount of time spent online among all U.S. adults is 3 hours and 57 minutes per day. The latest findings represent a dramatic shift in media behavior among African Americans. A similar study conducted in 2005 revealed the typical amount of time spent online among African Americans was 1 hour and 9 minutes per day.
Today, African Americans spend an average of 13 hours and 24 minutes per day exposed to all media which includes radio, television, newspaper, outdoor billboards, and the Internet.
As a result, the Internet represents 32.5% of total daily media exposure for the typical African American. The study further reveals the only other medium in which African Americans spend more time with on a daily basis is television, but the increased time spent online has impacted how much time is spent with other media.
For example, television represents 35.2% of total daily media exposure for African Americans today. In 2005, television represented 42.9% of total daily media exposure. Radio has fared a similar fate, as the medium today represents 21.1% of total daily media exposure for African Americans. In 2005, the medium represented 31.4% of total daily media exposure.
Both are examples of why advertisers need to consider a more multifaceted approach to reaching this consumer group.
While media exposure is shifting among African Americans, this consumer group continues to consume media at a higher rate than the typical U.S. adult.
Whereas African Americans spend 13 hours and 24 minutes per day exposed to all media, the typical U.S. adult spends 11 hours and 33 minutes per day. This represents significant marketing opportunities for advertisers, as the buying power of African Americans is expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2012.
According to The Media Audit's most recent National Report, one in five African Americans plan to purchase a new or used vehicle in the next 12 months, compared to 14.9% for all U.S. adults. As a result, African Americans are 37% more likely to be in the market for a car, van, truck or SUV. The figure represents more than 3.7 million African Americans across The Media Audit's 80 measured markets.
Furthermore, African Americans are 48% more likely than the typical adult to be planning a van, truck or SUV purchase and 72% more likely to be planning the purchase of a domestic vehicle.
According to The Media Audit, 41.4% of all U.S. adults planning to buy a new or used vehicle watch television before 9am on a typical day, however, 53.9% of African Americans planning a new or used vehicle purchase watch TV during this time period.
As a result, advertisers who want to reach African American buyers may want to emphasize this daypart in a media schedule. Furthermore, nearly half of African Americans who plan to buy a vehicle are considered heavy internet users, spending at least three hours or more per day online.
In Houston, for example, an automobile advertiser placing spots on KHOU Channel 11's morning news program would achieve 27.4% reach with African American automobile buyers, however, a combination of the station's early news program and the station's website would yield an unduplicated net reach of nearly 40%. The unduplicated reach is established through The Media Audit's Ad Campaign Planner program.
African Americans also represent significant buying power in other categories, such as consumer electronics, fast food , and higher education.
For example, African Americans are 48% more likely to be planning to buy audio equipment such as a CD, MP3 player or IPod, while the same consumer group is 59% more likely to be planning to purchase video equipment such as a camera, VCR, or DVD player. Furthermore, African Americans are 31% more likely to eat fast food three or more days in a typical week, and 38% more likely to be taking a college course in the next year.
For more information on this study, or for more information on The Media Audit National Report visit www.themediaaudit.com.
According to a national study among more than 7,000 African American adults, the typical amount of time spent online is 4 hours and 21 minutes per day, a figure that is 10% higher when compared to all U.S. adults.
The amount of time spent online among all U.S. adults is 3 hours and 57 minutes per day. The latest findings represent a dramatic shift in media behavior among African Americans. A similar study conducted in 2005 revealed the typical amount of time spent online among African Americans was 1 hour and 9 minutes per day.
Today, African Americans spend an average of 13 hours and 24 minutes per day exposed to all media which includes radio, television, newspaper, outdoor billboards, and the Internet.
As a result, the Internet represents 32.5% of total daily media exposure for the typical African American. The study further reveals the only other medium in which African Americans spend more time with on a daily basis is television, but the increased time spent online has impacted how much time is spent with other media.
For example, television represents 35.2% of total daily media exposure for African Americans today. In 2005, television represented 42.9% of total daily media exposure. Radio has fared a similar fate, as the medium today represents 21.1% of total daily media exposure for African Americans. In 2005, the medium represented 31.4% of total daily media exposure.
Both are examples of why advertisers need to consider a more multifaceted approach to reaching this consumer group.
While media exposure is shifting among African Americans, this consumer group continues to consume media at a higher rate than the typical U.S. adult.
Whereas African Americans spend 13 hours and 24 minutes per day exposed to all media, the typical U.S. adult spends 11 hours and 33 minutes per day. This represents significant marketing opportunities for advertisers, as the buying power of African Americans is expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2012.
According to The Media Audit's most recent National Report, one in five African Americans plan to purchase a new or used vehicle in the next 12 months, compared to 14.9% for all U.S. adults. As a result, African Americans are 37% more likely to be in the market for a car, van, truck or SUV. The figure represents more than 3.7 million African Americans across The Media Audit's 80 measured markets.
Furthermore, African Americans are 48% more likely than the typical adult to be planning a van, truck or SUV purchase and 72% more likely to be planning the purchase of a domestic vehicle.
According to The Media Audit, 41.4% of all U.S. adults planning to buy a new or used vehicle watch television before 9am on a typical day, however, 53.9% of African Americans planning a new or used vehicle purchase watch TV during this time period.
As a result, advertisers who want to reach African American buyers may want to emphasize this daypart in a media schedule. Furthermore, nearly half of African Americans who plan to buy a vehicle are considered heavy internet users, spending at least three hours or more per day online.
In Houston, for example, an automobile advertiser placing spots on KHOU Channel 11's morning news program would achieve 27.4% reach with African American automobile buyers, however, a combination of the station's early news program and the station's website would yield an unduplicated net reach of nearly 40%. The unduplicated reach is established through The Media Audit's Ad Campaign Planner program.
African Americans also represent significant buying power in other categories, such as consumer electronics, fast food , and higher education.
For example, African Americans are 48% more likely to be planning to buy audio equipment such as a CD, MP3 player or IPod, while the same consumer group is 59% more likely to be planning to purchase video equipment such as a camera, VCR, or DVD player. Furthermore, African Americans are 31% more likely to eat fast food three or more days in a typical week, and 38% more likely to be taking a college course in the next year.
For more information on this study, or for more information on The Media Audit National Report visit www.themediaaudit.com.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Senate Advances Small Business Aid Package The bill, which includes a $30-billion loan fund, is now all but guaranteed to pass.
By Courtney Rubin
The Senate on Tuesday advanced legislation to aid small businesses but failed to relieve them of burdensome new tax filings.
Two retiring Republicans joined Democrats in voting to move the bill, which includes a $30-billion loan fund and other tax breaks for small businesses. The bill's clearing of the procedural hurdle all but guarantees the Senate will pass it later this week. The House, which already approved similar legislation in June, is expected to then approve the measure promptly.
But neither party could string together the 60 votes needed to repeal or soften a new tax-reporting requirement that would force small businesses to notify the Internal Revenue Service of every purchase of goods valued at more than $600. There were two proposed amendments regarding the requirement, which is part of the health care reform passed in March.
"I have never seen it like this," National Small Business Association president Todd McCracken, who has been lobbying Congress for more than two decades, told the Los Angeles Times. "It is what makes small-business owners feel like their heads are going to explode."
The aid package of tax breaks and other incentives includes a $30-billion loan fund, which would be administered by the Treasury Department, that would go to qualified community banks that promise to extend new loans to small businesses. Another $12 billion in tax breaks would let businesses write off more of the cost of buying new equipment and making improvements – the expensing limits would be increased to $500,000. Those who are self-employed could deduct health care costs. The bill would also extend a popular program – originally created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009 – to help small businesses get loans at more favorable terms.
President Barack Obama welcomed the vote. "This is a bill that would cut taxes and help provide loans to millions of small-business owners, who create most of the new jobs in this country," he said in a statement. "Small businesses across the country have been waiting for Washington to act on this bill for far too long." (Obama also took a dig at Republicans, accusing them of staging a "months-long partisan blockade.")
John Arensmeyer, president of the left-leaning Small Business Majority, said, "This bill will do more to support small business than any bill has in years."
Nevada Democrat and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid praised Republican Senators George Voinovich of Ohio and George LeMieux of Florida for their support. He called the bill "the most significant thing we have done since the stimulus bill was passed to create jobs."
LeMieux told The New York Times the bill was needed desperately.
"It’s going to pass," he said moments after the procedural vote. "It's the right thing to do. It's going to be very good for my state. We have got almost two million small businesses. They are struggling. I visited businesses over August, and they can’t get financing."
The Senate on Tuesday advanced legislation to aid small businesses but failed to relieve them of burdensome new tax filings.
Two retiring Republicans joined Democrats in voting to move the bill, which includes a $30-billion loan fund and other tax breaks for small businesses. The bill's clearing of the procedural hurdle all but guarantees the Senate will pass it later this week. The House, which already approved similar legislation in June, is expected to then approve the measure promptly.
But neither party could string together the 60 votes needed to repeal or soften a new tax-reporting requirement that would force small businesses to notify the Internal Revenue Service of every purchase of goods valued at more than $600. There were two proposed amendments regarding the requirement, which is part of the health care reform passed in March.
"I have never seen it like this," National Small Business Association president Todd McCracken, who has been lobbying Congress for more than two decades, told the Los Angeles Times. "It is what makes small-business owners feel like their heads are going to explode."
The aid package of tax breaks and other incentives includes a $30-billion loan fund, which would be administered by the Treasury Department, that would go to qualified community banks that promise to extend new loans to small businesses. Another $12 billion in tax breaks would let businesses write off more of the cost of buying new equipment and making improvements – the expensing limits would be increased to $500,000. Those who are self-employed could deduct health care costs. The bill would also extend a popular program – originally created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009 – to help small businesses get loans at more favorable terms.
President Barack Obama welcomed the vote. "This is a bill that would cut taxes and help provide loans to millions of small-business owners, who create most of the new jobs in this country," he said in a statement. "Small businesses across the country have been waiting for Washington to act on this bill for far too long." (Obama also took a dig at Republicans, accusing them of staging a "months-long partisan blockade.")
John Arensmeyer, president of the left-leaning Small Business Majority, said, "This bill will do more to support small business than any bill has in years."
Nevada Democrat and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid praised Republican Senators George Voinovich of Ohio and George LeMieux of Florida for their support. He called the bill "the most significant thing we have done since the stimulus bill was passed to create jobs."
LeMieux told The New York Times the bill was needed desperately.
"It’s going to pass," he said moments after the procedural vote. "It's the right thing to do. It's going to be very good for my state. We have got almost two million small businesses. They are struggling. I visited businesses over August, and they can’t get financing."
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Daily Finance: Newspapers Will Be Left Behind As U.S. Ad Spending Recovers
By DANNY KING
U.S. advertising spending will increase about 3% this year, and it will rise about 35% over the next nine years, according to a report released today. That's the good news for the media industry. The bad news is that the increase will flow mostly to new media and not to newspapers and other, older forms of advertising.
Advertisers will spend $210.5 billion in 2010, up 2.8% from 2009, research firm SNL Kagan said in a report. U.S. advertising will increase next year to $214.3 billion, and it will surpass $275 billion in 2019, SNL Kagan said.
Sponsored Links
The advertising recovery won't apply to the newspaper industry, however. Newspaper advertising will be $23 billion next year, down from $46.3 billion in 1999, and it should change little through the rest of the decade, according to SNL Kagan.
Such advertising trends have forced newspapers to cut staff and production runs to stem losses. For example, the Newark Star-Ledger, New Jersey's largest newspaper, is offering more buyouts for full-time employees after its publisher said its 2010 loss would widen to about $10 million, an increase from about $9 million last year, the Associated Press reported today, citing a staff memo from publisher Richard Vezza. Vezza hasn't set an estimate for cutbacks, the wire service said, citing an interview with the publisher.
Other forms of media are likely to benefit from the advertising recovery, however. Internet advertising will surge to $60.1 billion in 2019 from $4.7 billion in 1999, while cable-television advertising will more than quadruple to $55.1 billion between 1999 and 2019, SNL Kagan said
U.S. advertising spending will increase about 3% this year, and it will rise about 35% over the next nine years, according to a report released today. That's the good news for the media industry. The bad news is that the increase will flow mostly to new media and not to newspapers and other, older forms of advertising.
Advertisers will spend $210.5 billion in 2010, up 2.8% from 2009, research firm SNL Kagan said in a report. U.S. advertising will increase next year to $214.3 billion, and it will surpass $275 billion in 2019, SNL Kagan said.
Sponsored Links
The advertising recovery won't apply to the newspaper industry, however. Newspaper advertising will be $23 billion next year, down from $46.3 billion in 1999, and it should change little through the rest of the decade, according to SNL Kagan.
Such advertising trends have forced newspapers to cut staff and production runs to stem losses. For example, the Newark Star-Ledger, New Jersey's largest newspaper, is offering more buyouts for full-time employees after its publisher said its 2010 loss would widen to about $10 million, an increase from about $9 million last year, the Associated Press reported today, citing a staff memo from publisher Richard Vezza. Vezza hasn't set an estimate for cutbacks, the wire service said, citing an interview with the publisher.
Other forms of media are likely to benefit from the advertising recovery, however. Internet advertising will surge to $60.1 billion in 2019 from $4.7 billion in 1999, while cable-television advertising will more than quadruple to $55.1 billion between 1999 and 2019, SNL Kagan said
Thursday, September 2, 2010
FCC Orders Another Extension On Sirius XM Station Lease-Back Requirement
August 19, 2010 (9:30 pm) Spencer Osborne
It is the issue that wont go away, and even after almost three years has not come to a resolution. Back when the merger was approved there were several stipulations attached. One stipulation related to Sirius XM giving up space for channels to be leased to “qualified entities” that would provide minority and educational programming.
Over the last couple of years there has been several proposals related to the channel leaseback requirement. Most recently American Independent Radio (AIR) filed a white paper with the FCC outlining a proposal that would have them being the qualified entity.
On August 19, 2010 the FCC granted a brief extension of the issue until November 21, 2010. The FCC seems to indicate some progress on the issue, but as with anything associated with the government there is enough vagueness in the document to drive a Mack Truck through. The timing of the new deadline will now virtually coincide with the opening for public comment (a six month period) on whether or not Sirius XM can end their price freeze.
The FCC Adoption
Adopted: August 19, 2010 Released: August 19, 2010
By the Chief, Media Bureau:
1. In this Order, the Media Bureau, on its own motion, grants an extension until November 21, 2010, for Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. to implement their voluntary commitment to enter into long-term leases or other agreements to provide a Qualified Entity or Entities rights to four percent of the full-time audio channels on the Sirius and XM platforms (“Leasing Condition”).
2. On July 25, 2008, the Commission approved the transfer of control of licenses and authorizations held by the Applicants, subject to the Applicants’ fulfillment of the Leasing Condition, among other commitments and conditions.2 In response to commenters’ concerns about the mechanics of the channel lease administration and allocation, the Commission deferred a decision as to specific implementation details for the Leasing Condition.3 On February 27, 2009, the Media Bureau issued a Public Notice seeking comment on the implementation details of the Leasing Condition. In response the Public Notice, commenters raised a number of additional concerns and proposed a range of models to implement the Leasing Condition. The Bureau anticipates Commission action on the implementation guidelines in the near future, and thus this brief extension is appropriate. The Commission will address any additional timing issues in its implementation order.
3. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, that pursuant to Sections 4(i), 4(j), 303(r), and 310(d), of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i), 154(j), 303(r) and 310(d), and authority delegated in Section 1.46 of our rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.46, Sirius XM is granted an extension of time, sua sponte, until November 21, 2010, to fulfill its voluntary commitment to enter into long-term leases or other agreements to provide a Qualified Entity or Entities rights to four percent of the full-time audio channels on the Sirius platform and on the XM platform.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
William T. Lake – Chief, Media Bureau
It looks like this issue will still have quite a lot of debate before it gets resolved.
Position – Long Sirius XM Radio
It is the issue that wont go away, and even after almost three years has not come to a resolution. Back when the merger was approved there were several stipulations attached. One stipulation related to Sirius XM giving up space for channels to be leased to “qualified entities” that would provide minority and educational programming.
Over the last couple of years there has been several proposals related to the channel leaseback requirement. Most recently American Independent Radio (AIR) filed a white paper with the FCC outlining a proposal that would have them being the qualified entity.
On August 19, 2010 the FCC granted a brief extension of the issue until November 21, 2010. The FCC seems to indicate some progress on the issue, but as with anything associated with the government there is enough vagueness in the document to drive a Mack Truck through. The timing of the new deadline will now virtually coincide with the opening for public comment (a six month period) on whether or not Sirius XM can end their price freeze.
The FCC Adoption
Adopted: August 19, 2010 Released: August 19, 2010
By the Chief, Media Bureau:
1. In this Order, the Media Bureau, on its own motion, grants an extension until November 21, 2010, for Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. to implement their voluntary commitment to enter into long-term leases or other agreements to provide a Qualified Entity or Entities rights to four percent of the full-time audio channels on the Sirius and XM platforms (“Leasing Condition”).
2. On July 25, 2008, the Commission approved the transfer of control of licenses and authorizations held by the Applicants, subject to the Applicants’ fulfillment of the Leasing Condition, among other commitments and conditions.2 In response to commenters’ concerns about the mechanics of the channel lease administration and allocation, the Commission deferred a decision as to specific implementation details for the Leasing Condition.3 On February 27, 2009, the Media Bureau issued a Public Notice seeking comment on the implementation details of the Leasing Condition. In response the Public Notice, commenters raised a number of additional concerns and proposed a range of models to implement the Leasing Condition. The Bureau anticipates Commission action on the implementation guidelines in the near future, and thus this brief extension is appropriate. The Commission will address any additional timing issues in its implementation order.
3. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, that pursuant to Sections 4(i), 4(j), 303(r), and 310(d), of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i), 154(j), 303(r) and 310(d), and authority delegated in Section 1.46 of our rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.46, Sirius XM is granted an extension of time, sua sponte, until November 21, 2010, to fulfill its voluntary commitment to enter into long-term leases or other agreements to provide a Qualified Entity or Entities rights to four percent of the full-time audio channels on the Sirius platform and on the XM platform.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
William T. Lake – Chief, Media Bureau
It looks like this issue will still have quite a lot of debate before it gets resolved.
Position – Long Sirius XM Radio
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