And That Ain't All...
We have some truly
extraordinary news (the first details of "ANN 10.0") to impart to
you shortly -- even better than what you're about to read -- but
mark our words, the Aero-Gnomes of Aero-News have big plans for you
this year...
Almost a decade ago, the Aero-News Network, The Aviation World's
DAILY News and Information Service, set out to change the landscape
of info services for the aviation and aerospace community. In that
time, ANN has served the aviation public, every day, all 24 hours
of it, in an unprecedented fashion and established itself as
the leading, most widely read, aviation and aerospace news and
information service in the world.
It didn't happen easily, it didn't happen overnight -- but
thanks to the amazing efforts of a professional and dedicated
staff, it DID happen... and aviators and aviation professionals the
world over have benefited greatly from immediate
Real-Time access to "all the news that's fit to fly."
As impressive as that record has been, though, ANN has never
allowed itself to sit back and live off its rep... seeking and
implementing new services and features at a breathtaking pace. One
of the most successful upgrades to the vast ANN service line-up was
the initiation of full-time multi-media/audio news and feature
programming -- bringing DAILY audio news and features to the
aviation world every business day... with even more coverage
for a wide variety of special events.
After amassing a staggering roster of scheduled aviation audio
programs in a little over a year (nearly 1000!), ANN has firmly
established itself as a leader in Real-Time, multi-media news and
feature programming for the aviation and aerospace industry. And
-- it's time to not only raise the bar even further (any
higher, though, and we're sure supplemental oxygen will be
required...), but to build critical bridges to specific areas of
aviation and aerospace that desperately need the attention and
information services we can provide.
ANN has committed itself to a whole new series of "ANN
FeatureCasts" combining the best news and feature
programming available... but tightly dedicated to very specific
user, product, company interests and/or topics. FeatureCasts
will target and partner with the very best Associations, Companies,
and Owner's groups, as well as those significant topics/product
lines with strong community/Aero-Consumer interest.
Depending on the interest involved, the size of the audience,
and the content available; unique topical ANN FeatureCasts will be
distributed on a monthly, bi-weekly or weekly basis...
The programs, due to be about a half hour in length, will be
widely distributed via ANN's extensive syndication network, a few
new outlets that we'll be announcing shortly (some of which are
HUGE) as well as conventional podcast media and dedicated
media channels of special interest to the specific genre targeted
by each FeatureCasting Topic. The 30 minute programs will feature
recent news and information about the topic at hand and also offer
special features to compliment the program... either of an in-depth
nature for complex features, or divided among a number of shorter
topics per episode.
The FeatureCasts are designed to not only offer special
attention to specific topics... but also to enhance a sense of
community among those interested in the topic espoused by each
FeatureCast. ANN has already undertaken over 30 agreements to
produce FeatureCasts for some of the most auspicious entities in
the aero-biz. ANN was selected by the world-renowned XPrize
Foundation to produce what will eventually grow to be a weekly
series of "FutureCasts" to help communicate and promote the
world-changing mission of the XPrize visionaries. Microsoft has
chosen ANN to be their news service to the immensely intriguing and
ever-growing Flight Simulator community, and FeatureCasts are a
critical part of the program. You ain't seen nothin' yet...
Numerous major aircraft companies, owner's groups, type
associations, and internationally recognized aviation organizations
are partnering with ANN on dozens of FeatureCasting programs.
And you can, too...
Additional FeatureCast partners are being actively sought by
ANN. While our FeatureCast partners are being brought on in order
to lend their guidance and expertise in the planning and production
of content for each individual program, the majority of the work
will be done by ANN's professional staff of aviation journalists
and audio producers. We're looking for guidance, insight, and
backup -- but make no mistake about it, the workload is on us and
we have no problem with that... it's our job and we've proven that
we can do it better than anyone else (no matter how hard our
imitators may try).
FeatureCasts will be distributed free of charge, under the ANN
banner, or custom-branded by prior agreement with a few of our more
auspicious partners. Sponsorship will be provided by businesses and
companies associated with the FeatureCasting topic but priced
specifically so that even the most basic "Mom and Pop"
aero-business can cost-effectively benefit from exposure on ANN
FeatureCast programming. In order to promote an ethical and
open relationship with our FeatureCast partners, ANN will
offer them cost-free promotional credit for their assistance, but
they will not be program sponsors, themselves. In other words, ANN
FeatureCast content partners will not be chosen for their
bucks; but for their expertise, standing in the industry, and the
respect they've earned as a result.
ANN FeatureCasts will, initially, be offered in easily downloadable
audio formats, though other multi-media outlets are being prepared
for future dissemination (more info to follow... but be prepared to
be blown away). The audio programming will be produced by
award-winning radio and audio professionals whose credentials
literally extend to the international news network level (listen to
the professional sound of any current ANN Aero-Cast and you'll see
what we mean -- these guys are GOOD). All aviation content will be
researched, authored and edited by ANN's team of professional
aviators and journalists... with the assistance of our content
partners. FeatureCast programming will not only be an excellent way
to support the community involved, but a wonderful outreach to
others with interest in the topic at hand, since all FeatureCast
programming will be extensively distributed via ANN's many outlets
-- both in and out of normal aviation information outlets.
ANN is adding new staffers to our ranks (and still needs a
few more) in order to be able to staff up to handle the tremendous
amount of information and programming that will be offered via
these programs... so parties interested in
investigating FeatureCast opportunities are urged to contact
ANN Editor-In-Chief, Jim "Sleepless" Campbell, ASAP in order to be
considered for the limited programming slots remaining for the
foreseeable future.