UBC Media, in announcing its full year results, has revealed taking an 18 per cent stake in Audioboo.
UK company Audioboo, which is fast becoming the "twitter for audio" will enjoy extra investment to grow its audio recording technology and bring it closer to radio stations via UBC.
Audioboo started life as an iPhone app which allows users to record audio and 'broadcast' it to other users online. The facility is already in use by some radio stations including the BBC for location reports and interaction with listeners.
The technology will now be integrated into UBC's iPhone apps for radio stations, creating a way for listeners to contact on-air staff via audio.
Simon Cole, Chief Executive of UBC said: “Audioboo is an exciting technology in the area where UBC is concentrating its strategic focus: the interaction between content and technology. It is the new media phone-in or vox-pop, allowing listeners and broadcasting professionals alike to interact with each other and make studio quality contributions from anywhere in the world.”
Mark Rock, Audioboo founder and CEO said:
"This is a very strategic first round, helping us to define what the next generation of radio as a social platform looks like. Having UBC Media on board, who really understand radio production, and Imagination, who through their subsidiary Pure Radio, really understand the technology, means we can rapidly experiment and develop our ideas about how radio should look, feel and make money in the future.”
Audioboo also welcomes Sir Don Cruickshank as Chairman.