Amplifi Media and Jacapps Align to Form SonicAi

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, April 17, 2017

Steve Goldstein and Fred Jacobs, and their companies, Amplifi Media and jacapps, are teaming to form SonicAi, a joint venture dedicated to strategizing and creating voice command solutions for the radio and podcasting industries. Initial development will focus on the Amazon Echo and Google Home devices. Joining the partnership, as co-founder, is industry executive Lee Davis.

Goldstein's Amplifi Media and Davis will focus on sales, marketing and "skills" architecture. The jacapps team will handle product development and customer service. Together, based on combined research, programming and marketing experience they, have created a solution for content creators to expand in-home listening with creative strategies.

The introduction of these devices into homes creates a significant opportunity for the radio industry and podcasters. Research has shown that in-home radio listening has been declining, but now with the ability to access a radio station's stream or programming (such as podcasts), using voice commands, is a breakthrough for audio content creators.

According to Jacobs Media's Techsurvey13 (to be released in May), 11% of homes already have one of these devices, with brisk sales underscoring the opportunity for the audio industry.

"This partnership is designed to maximize the in-home opportunity for radio stations and podcasters. We think this is a seismic change that needs to be seized upon and mastered," said Goldstein. "That's why we have developed solutions to make it easy for consumers to find and access a brand's audio content. We also think audio content creators will be more successful with enhanced choices beyond basic streams. We call these 'smart skills,' and we plan to have a full suite of offerings."

"Teaming up with Steve and Lee, while turning the jacapps team loose, is where SAi is headed," added Jacobs. "We've been ahead of the curve with jacapps, radio's leading developer of mobile solutions since our launch in 2008. Our team specializes in great customer service and outstanding development, and we'll work with stations and audio content creators to unleash the potential of these devices as they are rapidly showing up in kitchens, dens, and on nightstands. They are the new radios for the home."