Air America Dies, Failing to Make Transition to Web

The left-wing radio and Internet media operation has struggled since its launch in 2004, and failed to make an impact online.

ClickZ News - Politics & AdvocacyAir America is kaput. The left-wing political radio and Internet media operation has struggled since its launch in 2004, and failed in its last-ditch effort to make a major impact on the Web

In a memo sent to staff today and repeated on the company’s homepage, Air America Media Chair Charlie Kireker wrote, “though Internet/new media revenues are projected to grow, our expanding online efforts face the same monetization and profitability challenges in the short term confronting the Web operations of most media companies.”

The company aired its last live program this afternoon, and plans to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy soon, according to the memo. It blamed a “very difficult economic environment,” along with drastically dropping national and local ad revenues.

In October, the firm made a last ditch online effort, launching a redesigned site featuring live streaming audio and video, on-demand content, and even a new logo. Not long after, in December, the firm’s first chief digital officer departed after around a year of trying to morph Air America from a talk radio company to a full-fledged digital media operation with true relevance in the world of politics.

The firm had its work cut out for it. It went through bankruptcy in 2006, allowing other political media firms to step in and grab the online audience it may have built for itself.

The company’s decision not to fill the chief digital officer role, and instead give its directors of technology and digital strategy additional responsibilities, may have been a harbinger of Air America’s ultimate demise.

Follow Kate Kaye on Twitter at @LowbrowKate.

Subscribe to ClickZ’s Politics & Advocacy News RSS feed.

Subscribe to get your daily business insights

Whitepapers

US Mobile Streaming Behavior
Whitepaper | Mobile

US Mobile Streaming Behavior

5y

US Mobile Streaming Behavior

Streaming has become a staple of US media-viewing habits. Streaming video, however, still comes with a variety of pesky frustrations that viewers are ...

View resource
Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics for Media Groups
Whitepaper | Analyzing Customer Data

Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics for Media Groups

5y

Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics f...

Data is the lifeblood of so many companies today. You need more of it, all of which at higher quality, and all the meanwhile being compliant with data...

View resource
Learning to win the talent war: how digital marketing can develop its people
Whitepaper | Digital Marketing

Learning to win the talent war: how digital marketing can develop its peopl...

2y

Learning to win the talent war: how digital market...

This report documents the findings of a Fireside chat held by ClickZ in the first quarter of 2022. It provides expert insight on how companies can ret...

View resource
Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy
Report | Digital Transformation

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy

1m

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Exp...

Customers decide fast, influenced by only 2.5 touchpoints – globally! Make sure your brand shines in those critical moments. Read More...

View resource