SEATTLE, WA--(MARKET WIRE)--Aug 26, 2008 -- With an eye to the future and the desire to extend their reach beyond traditional airwaves, Seattle radio stations KJR AM 950 Sports Radio and AM 570 KVI recently partnered with the social networking web site WikiTalk.com (www.wikitalk.com) on a four month pilot program to "extend the conversation" online, and provide listeners with additional opportunity to comment or respond more anonymously.

Both stations saw significant increase in click-through versus other ads that were displayed in the past -- providing more proof that talk radio listeners are interested in continuing the discussions after a particular show ends.

"With WikiTalk you can take talk radio and instantly push it online and create a great dynamic for listeners, particularly when you get discussions fueled by hot topics and producers fanning the flames by simultaneously posting updated news, videos, and pictures. We found that stories with multiple layers attracted the most posts," said KJR AM Sports Radio producer Josh Sabrowsky.

KJR engaged listeners by having reporter Jason Puckett post live updates from Safeco Field. Says Puckett, "We would post topics prior to the game, get feedback and questions from WikiTalk users throughout the game and post the answers we got from the players and managers as well."

Unlike the web, radio stations have limited time to cover all of the news and topics that people want to hear about. On-air personalities are forced to limit the scope of some conversations or omit them entirely. Both KJR AM 950 Sports Radio and AM570 KVI needed a way to extend conversations beyond these constraints.

For example, KJR provides 16 hours of live programming per day split among a number of shows. National stories were often put on the back burner so hosts could spend time on local hot-button topics like the Sonics relocation. Even when dedicating entire shows to a specific topic, the host found they could not get to everything -- especially when there are constant updates and developments happening throughout the course of the day that can change the scope of the discussion.

WikiTalk is a social networking web site offering visitors the opportunity to find and share news and information that is important to discuss with friends, co-workers, or the world at large.

In an industry first, WikiTalk uses patent-pending "split-screen" functionality which allows visitors to create their own discussion boards on any website by "framing" their comments around the original news source.

For the radio stations this meant that their website and brand were "showcased" alongside the WikiTalk discussion window.

"The WikiTalk split-screen functionality is the perfect conduit for extending high-energy discussions that start on the radio and spill onto the web. Not only does WikiTalk engage listeners, but it instantly 'marries' a radio station's brand with its online assets," said Loren Skaggs, WikiTalk senior product manager.

To promote WikiTalk, on-air personalities and banner advertisements on KJR and AM 570 KVI websites directed listeners to WikiTalk and encouraged them to participate in discussions.

Both stations found that the cross promotion between the stations and WikiTalk led to higher traffic on their sites. AM 570 KVI producer Matt Haver says, "It is the future of talk radio -- all talk radio stations should incorporate a social site like WikiTalk into their programming -- our listeners loved it."

About KJR

KJR AM 950 Sports Radio is an all talk sports radio station owned by Clearchannel Communications. KJR provides around the clock coverage of local and national sports news and currently broadcasts the games of the Seattle Storm, and the University of Washington Huskies.

About AM 570 KVI

AM 570 KVI is a conservative talk station owned by Fisher Communications of Seattle. KVI was one of the first stations in the nation to adopt the conservative talk format and has always maintained a strong commitment to local programming, while also choosing some of the most interesting and compelling national programming. In 2004, KVI affiliated with Fox News, which provided a strong local/national perspective.

About WikiTalk

WikiTalk is a social commentary site offering visitors the opportunity to find and share news and information that is important to discuss with friends, co-workers, or the world at large in a unique way. WikiTalk's patent pending "split-screen" functionality allows users to create their own general or private discussion boards on any website about any topic of interest. Our goal is to create an active, involved community of people who feel connected to one another and who come to use the site as a primary source of information. For additional information please visit www.wikitalk.com.

     Contact:
     Martin Levy
     Martin Levy Public Relations
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