Entercom and Waze unveil innovative partnership

Philadelphia PA, USA—Entercom, a leading media and entertainment company and one of the two largest radio broadcasters in the U.S., announced a first-of-its-kind multiplatform partnership with Waze, the world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation app. The partnership scales across broadcast, digital and streaming with app integrations on both Waze and RADIO.COM, the fastest growing digital audio app in the U.S. and the exclusive digital home for all Entercom content across its robust portfolio of 235 stations, and multi-platform content integrations.

As part of the deal, RADIO.COM will be integrated into the Waze app, allowing Waze drivers to seamlessly access the full range of RADIO.COM content including its leading local news and sports radio portfolio and local broadcast traffic reports, as well as its suite of leading music stations, podcasts, and on-demand audio content. Drivers will be able to access the RADIO.COM playback and discovery controls, including favorite, local, and recently played stations, directly in the Waze app. The integration with RADIO.COM marks the first time Waze will offer local sports and news content as part of their in-app experience.

“We’re thrilled to work with Entercom and look forward to leveraging the strategic opportunities within their impressive portfolio of stations,” said Mona Weng, Global Lead of Waze for Broadcasters. “This partnership is particularly impressive as it extends across broadcast, digital and streaming to provide real-time traffic updates and help broadcasters share hyper-local stories with their cities’ listeners. Through the Waze for Broadcasters program and efforts by our partners, we are collectively reducing traffic and working toward solving global mobility issues.”

RADIO.COM app users will also be able to access their Waze navigation from within the RADIO.COM app. In addition, the live Waze traffic map will be integrated into the RADIO.COM app and web platform.

“This partnership is a strategic move that offers both Waze and RADIO.COM users an enhanced experience,” said J.D. Crowley, Chief Digital Officer, Entercom. “We are the fastest-growing digital audio app in the country and we are pleased to join forces with Waze to bring our app and its unmatched content offering to Waze’s large community of drivers.”

Additionally, the partnership will allow Entercom to integrate the Waze community-based traffic data in its live and over-the-air traffic reporting across the company’s expansive portfolio of broadcast stations nationwide. Entercom stations will utilize the Waze data to provide enhanced real-time and hyperlocal traffic reporting to listeners across broadcast, streaming, and the RADIO.COM mobile and web platform.

“Partnering with Waze will allow us to offer more powerful real-time traffic updates to our audience,” said Fred Bennett, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Entercom. “By integrating new technologies into our on-air and digital traffic reporting, we will be able to better serve our communities and continue to offer them the most robust local traffic information they need to plan their day.”

RADIO.COM is an integrated digital platform where consumers discover and connect live with the Entercom portfolio of premium, curated content powered by over 235 highly rated, locally programmed radio stations and their websites. RADIO.COM, the fastest growing digital audio app in the U.S., currently has over 300 stations and more than 3,000 podcasts, with more added continuously on its rapidly growing platform. RADIO.COM offers anytime, anywhere access through the RADIO.COM mobile app and website, and home and auto-connected devices, including Amazon Echo, Amazon FireTV, Sonos, Roku, Google Home, Google Chromecast, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and many more.

About Entercom Communications Corp.

Entercom Communications Corp. (NYSE: ETM) is a leading American media and entertainment company reaching and engaging over 170 million people each month through its premier collection of highly rated, award winning radio stations, digital platforms and live events. As one of the country’s two largest radio broadcasters, Entercom offers integrated marketing solutions and delivers the power of local connection on a national scale with coverage of close to 90% of persons 12+ in the top 50 markets. Entercom is the #1 creator of live, original, local audio content and the nation’s unrivaled leader in news and sports radio. Learn more about Philadelphia-based Entercom at www.entercom.com, Facebook and Twitter (@Entercom).

About Waze

Waze is where people and technology meet to solve transportation challenges. It’s a platform that empowers communities to contribute road data, edit Waze maps, and carpool to improve the way we move about the world. Thanks to its passionate community, Waze is able to partner with municipalities and transit authorities to reduce traffic and congestion—leveraging current infrastructure while impacting city planning. Waze also works closely with tech and automotive brands to reimagine what transportation looks like today.

A world with better transportation doesn’t have to be in the distant future. By harnessing the power of community to reverse negative trends in transportation, Waze can create a world where traffic is history.