ENCO Partners with Benztown and Yamanair for AI Ad Spec

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 24, 2023 | 11:23am CT

ENCO

ENCO has joined forces with Benztown and Compass Media Networks to bring its SpecAI ad creation solution to an expansive customer base in the North American radio broadcast market. The three companies will work together on strategic business development initiatives that emphasize how the technology can help broadcasters create spec ads for sponsors on demand, alleviating the time, energy and costs of traditional production methods while accelerating the sales process and time to market.

SpecAI utilizes generative AI models to create audio content and automate voice tracking for new spots. ENCO will demonstrate SpecAI at the NAB Show New York beginning tomorrow at Javits Center, where the company will exhibit at Booth 517. Representatives from Benztown and Compass Media Networks will also share insights into their contributions, which include sales, marketing and product design responsibilities.

Compass Media Networks, who will lead the sales and marketing efforts. Their Yamanair division has provided spec commercials and creative services to radio broadcasters over the past decade through their Specbyte and Cash by Creative product lines which currently serve thousands of radio stations. SpecAI will expand this portfolio for local radio sales teams.

"AI adoption has swiftly moved forward over the last few months, and as the largest player in spec commercials for over 10 years we recognized it was time to offer an AI solution for our clients," said Compass Radio Networks CFO Hiram Lazar. "Using Benztown's libraries, we can now give our clients the option to produce ads with an AI voice or a live voice to customize prerecorded spec commercials.

Benztown, a longtime ENCO partner, handles radio imaging, production library, programming, podcasting, jingles and voiceover services with more than 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown will supplement Compass Media Networks' sales and marketing efforts with an emphasis on international clients,

SpecAI's workflow is simple. The user, typically an account executive within a media organization, first answers a few questions to determine spot length (30 or 60 seconds), writing style (casual, humorous, uplifting), and sponsor details (company name, address), using a web browser or mobile device. SpecAI generates three scripts to choose from, which users can manually be edited or re-generated through phonetics to perfect the copy. The user then selects their preferred sound of the AI voice and music bed underneath before downloading the final down-mixed audio file. The process can be completed in seconds.

Benztown President and Co-Founder Dave "Chachi" Denes, adds that the music options will help set the tone for each spot. "The music in SpecAI is categorized by format," he said. "For example, an account executive for an Adult Contemporary or Rock station has many options to add music that aligns with the client and station's demographic. There will also be themed music available for holidays throughout the year."