It was announced a few minutes ago that Ryan Seacrest will renew his deal with Clear Channel for another 3 years and $60 million. It is well-known that Ryan wears many hats – as a morning show host on KIIS/LA, host of American Top 40 and the syndicated “On Air with Ryan Seacrest”.
What is most exciting about the deal is the vision that Ryan may bring not only to Clear Channel but to radio as a whole. ALL-ACCESS is reporting that:
Now, SEACREST will further commit to radio, agreeing to develop new radio content for syndication via both traditional and digital media. SEACREST will also create a joint venture with the company to explore the creation of a record label,music publishing business and live concert series, according to the people with knowledge of its details, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The new deal gives SEACREST control over some of the advertising sales for his radio shows, and also gives him the ability to embed his own marketing partners into the programming.
The radio industry’s future is making dynamic, compelling content available to consumers where and when people want it…recognizing we are not in the AM/FM business and are in the consumer engagement realm, using content to connect with listeners and connect them to advertisers.
It appears that Ryan will have a unique opportunity as an on-air personality to lead and innovate, and radio as a whole could benefit.