MUMBAI: TargetSpot, the largest digital audio advertising network, and Livio Radio, developers of Internet Radio devices and accessories, today announced that TargetSpot will be the exclusive third-party advertising provider for Livio Connect, which allows consumers to access digital radio content conveniently and safely while in their vehicles. Through this partnership, TargetSpot's advertisers will be able to reach an audience of listeners comprised of 65 percent of the automotive Bluetooth market as well as drivers of major auto brands.

Internet Radio Listening has Reached Critical Mass

Internet Radio, which includes both online-only radio stations and the streamed content of broadcast stations, is already one of the fastest-growing online media categories, according to eMarketer.(1) Currently, nearly 40 percent of the U.S. population, or 89 million people,(2) listen to Internet Radio monthly, and that number is expected to double by 2015.(3) The availability of digital radio in car will rapidly accelerate this growth.

Demand for In-Auto Listening is Skyrocketing

The Consumer Electronics Association is forecasting that in 2012 sales of factory installed digital vehicle technologies will increase by 15 percent from 2011 to nearly $7 billion.(4) Additionally, the wholesale market for Internet Radio-ready head units will climb to 749,000 units in 2013 from 410,000 units in 2011.(5) According to Gartner, by 2016 the majority of consumers will start to look at connectivity as a key buying criterion when they consider a specific vehicle.(6)

"Digital radio in-car is a game changer: until now, morning drive time has been served by over-the-air radio, but as digital access becomes more readily available in auto, this will change," said Eyal Goldwerger, CEO of TargetSpot. "We are thrilled to offer our advertisers the ability to reach digital audio consumers in their cars. With TargetSpot's widening network of distribution partners, advertisers can reach their desired target audiences wherever they are listening and whatever their listening preferences may be."

Livio Connect

Livio Connect enables radio apps to interact with the hardware in cars to seamlessly provide access to digital audio content. Livio Connect is built into CSR Bluetooth chips reaching millions of vehicles with Bluetooth technology, and allows consumers to seamlessly access and control digital audio apps via mobile phones. Additionally through Dice Electronics, Livio Connect has aftermarket audio integration into vehicles from a broad range of major auto manufacturers. The technology works with Android, iOS and Blackberry. Current App partners include: 977 Music, AccuRadio, Digitally Imported, Grooveshark, jacAPPS, Live365, the Livio Car Internet Radio App, and Rdio.

"At Livio Radio, we are all about More Music with Less Work, meaning that we make it easy for both our App partners to get their content in the car as well as for end consumers to enjoy the apps they know and already love on their phone, safely in their cars," said Livio Radio President, Massimo Baldini. "With this unique angle, to date, we have been able to "Livio Connect" great on-demand digital audio services like Accuradio, Grooveshark or Rdio, as well as radio stations broadcasting their content over the internet such as NPR, Live365, Greater Media's stations or Digitally Imported."

TargetSpot's Internet advertising network now includes more than 80 radio groups and pure-play online music providers, with thousands of music, talk/news and sports channels. Using the TargetSpot network, advertisers can target Internet Radio listeners based upon a variety of factors, including geography down to the zip code level, time of day, and personal listening preferences.