Learfield Sports Inks Multi-Year Contract with Skyview Networks for Inventory Management Systems for its Collegiate Properties
Learfield Sports to utilize F.A.S.T. System to bring all inventory under command of one unified system
PHOENIX, Ariz. (8/23/11) — Learfield Sports, collegiate sports marketing leader, and Skyview Networks, developer of play-by-play broadcast solutions, announced today a multi-year partnership for inventory management solutions. The partnership is the product of an in-depth collaboration to further tailor Skyview’s F.A.S.T. Inventory Management solution specifically to 46 collegiate properties in Learfield Sports’ portfolio. The F.A.S.T. System will allow Learfield Sports complete control over its radio inventory in one comprehensive system.
“Skyview Networks specializes in traffic and automation management. It’s a crucial piece to our radio division, and we are thrilled to be working with such experts,” said Aaron Worsham, Learfield Sports’ vice president affiliate relations and operations.
Skyview’s F.A.S.T. System will allow a panoramic view of all contracts and inventory across Learfield Sports’ properties. F.A.S.T. will be installed for use at network flagship stations (both those in the field and those housed on-site) for all Learfield Sports’ properties and at its Affiliate Relations’ headquarters in Missouri to provide continuity and communication between the systems in the field and the central office. F.A.S.T. will be set up to handle the following: a full overview of inventory and sales goals, auto generated reports including up to the minute avails reports, scheduled reports, bump reports, clearance reports and an efficient billing solution that produces invoices and affidavits at the click of a button. The contract also includes Skyview’s Live Read Logging Software that captures and catalogs all on air advertiser mentions.
“With Skyview, Learfield Sports will enjoy the benefits of managing its increasing network of properties in one integrated system,” said Ken Thiele, president of Skyview Networks. “We pride ourselves in being able to execute all client needs through our software solutions and we have enjoyed working closely with Learfield Sports to customize the system to its specific requirements. As we move forward, I believe Learfield Sports will appreciate our ability to develop tools in house for all its current and future inventory management needs.”
F.A.S.T. is uniquely tailored to the non-linear nature of play-by-play sports and provides flexible spot scheduling (its direct log access allows last minute scheduling changes and spot check reports for accuracy). This system is designed to work in tandem with Skyview’s broadcast solutions for affiliate automation, satellite distribution and ad regionalization. For more information on Skyview’s services and partners, visit www.skyviewnetworks.com.
About Learfield Sports
Learfield Sports manages the multimedia rights for more than 50 collegiate institutions and associations including Penn State, Oklahoma, Alabama, Indiana, Minnesota, the Big Ten Conference and Missouri Valley Conference. The company also titles the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup, oversees marketing partnerships for the Black Coaches & Administrators (BCA) and provides exclusive sports programming to more than 1,000 radio stations nationwide. It is an operating unit of Learfield Communications, Inc., which celebrates 40 years in 2012. For more about the company, its history and complete portfolio, visit www.learfieldsports.com.
About Skyview Networks
Skyview Networks currently provides the broadcast services for over 50 professional and collegiate sports organizations and produces and delivers Arizona News Radio and California Headline News. Founded in 1995, Skyview is based in Scottsdale, Arizona and focuses on providing broadcast network solutions to professional and collegiate sports and syndicated radio. Skyview’s services include satellite distribution, full network automation, affiliate relations, inventory management systems and advertising solutions for radio, television, print, signage and web. For more information, visit www.skyviewnetworks.com.