United Stations Expands Phantom Producer into Classic Hits format

New York, NY – January 28, 2013 – Following rapid success in several other radio formats, United Stations Radio Networks, Inc., (USRN) an independent leader in the creation and marketing of network radio programming, is now expanding its radio imaging service called PHANTOM PRODUCER into the Classic Hits format. The move spreads the revolutionary online production app into its sixth radio format and one of the biggest on the U.S. radio dial… the Classic Hits and Oldies format accounts for well over 1000 commercial radio stations coast to coast. Phantom Producer has been previously available to programmers and production talent serving the CHR, AC, Hot AC, Classic Rock and Country formats. The move into Classic Hits is effective immediately, and several “early adapters” of the service already have it on air. This announcement comes from USRN’s EVP/Programming, Andy Denemark, along with Phantom Producer’s creator and Executive Producer, Jeff Thomas.

Since its introduction in 2010, Phantom Producer has completely altered the way customized imaging can be created at radio stations. The service gives users the ability to audition, mix and download their own customized or generic sweepers, jingles, audio links and other interstitial production elements via a password-protected website. Recently, “music hooks” were added to the service which expanded the creative options for affiliates tremendously. Phantom Producer works via an exclusive online user interface that accesses customized elements created just for the client station – along with regularly updated imaging material – and allows users to mix-n-match those elements into perfectly mixed sweepers or jingles that can be downloaded immediately, ready for air in a matter of seconds. No new equipment or software is required to utilize Phantom Producer in any format, and in reality, no production skills are necessary to use it either. As a result, the Phantom Producer service ushered in a new era of “desktop imaging.” More information and several video tutorials are available at www.phantomproducer.com. United Stations is the exclusive distributor for Phantom Producer in North America, and additional formats for this service are in development.

Prior to this introduction of Phantom Producer to the Classic Hits format, the most recent format for which material was made available was Classic Rock, and the production services for Classic Hits will be handled by the same award winning sound imaging designer who handles that format, Bill LuMaye. Bill has 35 years of broadcast experience and his talent for sound has been featured on network and cable television and feature films as well on radio. The other talented imaging directors behind Phantom Producer are Jeff Thomas, Arden Hanley and Ben LuMaye. All have impressive track records handling creative services and radio imaging in major-markets with credits that include KIIS-FM LA, Capital FM London, Jack FM, Howard Stern, CBS Radio, CBS Television and many more.

United Stations Radio Networks, Inc. is America’s leading independently owned and operated radio network. USRN currently produces and distributes dozens of format-specific programs and services accounting for over 5000 affiliations with commercial radio stations in the U.S. The New York-based company maintains programming, sales and affiliate marketing offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Washington and Nashville. USRN was founded in 1994 by radio pioneers Dick Clark and Nick Verbitsky.

Contact: Andy Denemark, USRN andyd@unitedstations.com 212.536.3603