BIA/Kelsey Introduces Market Cap Index for Local Media Industry; Unveils New Company Web Site

CHANTILLY, Va., Jan. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BIA/Kelsey (www.BIAKelsey.com), the leading research and advisory firm focused on local media, today introduced Local Media Index, its new market capitalization index derived from valuations of publicly held local media companies. The Local Media Index offers a directional view of how the industry is performing relative to the overall economy.

"While an index of public companies cannot tell the whole story of the local media industry, it is a directional tool that can give us an insightful read on the markets we cover," said Mark Fratrik, vice president, BIA/Kelsey. "Over time, a picture will emerge of where the industry is headed."

Market segments covered by the index include radio, broadcast television, cable television, Yellow Pages, online local, outdoor advertising and diversified local media organizations. A roll-up of the specific local media segments is presented in the main Local Media Index view, benchmarked against the S&P 500 index. The Local Media Index will be updated each Thursday at 10 a.m. (ET).

The introduction of the Local Media Index is part of today's launch of BIA/Kelsey's new corporate Web site, located at www.BIAKelsey.com. The new site design offers easier access to publicly available data and analysis, including highlights from BIA/Kelsey's semi-annual Local Media Forecast.

"We are continually looking for ways to better serve the needs of our clients and others who rely on our research and analysis," said Tom Buono, chief executive officer, BIA/Kelsey. "As the primary delivery platform for our market intelligence, our redesigned Web site offers an improved user experience that extends our reach beyond the site to our social media and mobile channels, where our community increasingly accesses information."  

Key content areas include Research & Forecasts, Advisory Services, Consulting & Valuations, Events and BIA/Kelsey's four Blogs ("Local Media Watch," "Mobile Local Media," "Global Yellow Pages" and "Digital Strategies for Broadcasting"). The site also provides efficient log-in to password protected content available to clients of BIA/Kelsey's advisory services and publications.

The new site represents the culmination of the organizational integration of BIA/Kelsey following BIA's acquisition of The Kelsey Group in 2008. The new www.BIAKelsey.com URL replaces bia.com and kelseygroup.com. Visitors to pages on those sites will automatically be redirected to the new site.

About BIA/Kelsey

BIA/Kelsey advises companies in the local media space through consulting and valuation services, research, Continuous Advisory Services and conferences. Since 1983 BIA/Kelsey has been a resource to the media, mobile advertising, telecommunications, Yellow Pages and electronic directory markets, as well as to government agencies, law firms and investment companies looking to understand trends and revenue drivers. BIA/Kelsey's annual conferences draw executives from across industries seeking expert guidance on how companies are finding innovative ways to grow. Additional information is available at www.biakelsey.com, on the company's blogs at www.biakelsey.com/blogs and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BIAKelsey.

SOURCE BIA/Kelsey