About Emmis International

Already known for its energetic and innovative approach to the radio business, in 1995 Emmis Communications launched Emmis International, a division dedicated to putting Emmis' experience to work in markets outside its domestic sphere. Emmis is one of the few U.S. media companies to look beyond its shores for new and exciting expansion opportunities, recognizing the convergence of two factors:

First, the relationships between a radio station and its listeners and commercial advertisers are fundamentally the same throughout the world. As a result, the operational experience Emmis developed in the U.S. could be successfully "exported" to other countries.

Second, the world economy and political landscape were both changing radically and for the better: Top-down economies were being overtaken by market forces, and state-run radio and television were being privatized or forced to compete with new, independent commercial media.

The combination of these factors created an environment in which Emmis believed it could contribute value and succeed. Impressive results and progress in each new market have reinforced this belief and validated Emmis' conviction that the dynamics of radio transcend nationality, culture and language.

Drawing on its decades of experience in the U.S. — the most competitive radio market in the world — Emmis has translated its domestic success into an impressive international track record. First and foremost in its strategy, Emmis recognizes local partners and employees are the key to its success. Emmis has just one American employee in its entire European operation, and relies on the expertise and know-how of its local team and investors to get the job done. This marriage of equals has produced winning results.

For example, just 30 days after its initial launch of a new radio station format in Buenos Aires, Emmis catapulted Mega FM from "worst to first" in a market of 15 million people. The company performed a similar feat in Hungary in 1998. Just 90 days after launching with a novel oldies format, Sláger Rádió became Hungary's No.1 national commercial station — Sláger continues to dominate with an average weekly reach of over 3 million people.

In 2004, Emmis won a government tender for nine city licenses in the Flanders region of Belgium and created Be One, a national network of city radio licenses. With a mixture of national branding and local focus, Be One is targeting 30-49 year old consumers in one of the world's wealthiest commercial markets.

In 2005 Emmis acquired Rádio Expres in Slovakia, the top-rated station in the country, and Radio FM+ in Bulgaria, the first commercial radio station to broadcast in the country. In 2007 Emmis International became the majority shareholder in a second national station in Bulgaria - Radio Fresh! - the Number One Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) station in the country and in December 2007 acquired Inforadio, a national radio chain broadcasting in 13 Bulgarian cities. The Emmis International portfolio is solid and diverse, and Emmis International is poised for growth. Rádio Expres and FM+, both market leaders, typify Emmis' intent to grow globally and program locally. Emmis will seek to build on its successes and expand in markets where it can combine its skills and experiences with those of local collaborators, creating real growth and value.

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