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A Profile


   Contact Information:

Address:
40 Monument Circle, Ste. 700 Indianapolis, IN 46204
Online Map:
Map to Emmis Communications Inc.
Phone:  
317-266-0100
FAX:
317-631-3750
Web site:  
Emmis.com



PROFILE
FINANCIAL DATA
HISTORY
OFFICERS
PLANS
 COMPETITORS
RECENT NEWS STORIES


CHRISTOPHER J. WILSON
MARCH 3, 2003
cjwilson@bsu.edu

OTHER WORKS
Study of a Telecommunications Megatrend
Cellular Phones: A Technological Profile
                             



Profile
  • Emmis Communications owns and operates radio, television, and magazine entities throughout the United States, Latin America, and Europe. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Emmis is the seventh largest radio groups in the U.S. and have also been voted "Most Respected Radio Company" by  CEO's of  numerous communication companies.  Emmis Building
  • Emmis Radio Division consists of 64% of its overall cash flow. Emmis owns radio stations in Los Angeles:  
    KZLA-FM , KPWR-FM , New York:  WRKS-FM , WQHT-FM , WQCD-FM ,  Chicago:  WKQX-FM, Indianapolis:  WENS-FM,  WIBC-AM, WNOU-FM, WYXB-FM, Network Indiana, AgriAmerica, Phoenix:  KKLT-FM, KMVP-AM, KTAR-AM, KKFR-FM,  Terre Haute:  WTHI-FM, WWVR-FM, St. Louis:  KSHE-FM, KIHT-FM, KFTK-FM, KPNT-FM, WMLL-FM,  Buenos Aires, Argentina:  Mega 98.3, Radio 10, Budapest Hungary:  Slager Radio
  • In 1998, Emmis Communications entered the television industry when acquiring six of its now fiftenn television stations. With the same hard work and effort as in radio, the Emmis Television group became very successful and widespread, throughout the United States. . Emmis has stations in Mobile, Alabama: WALA-TV, in Tuscan, Arizona:  KGUN-TV, in Ft. Myers, Florida:  WFTX-TV, in Orlando, Florida:  WKCF-TV, in Honolulu, Hawaii:  KHON-TVKGMB-TV, in Terre Haute, Indiana:  WTHI-TV, in Topeka, Kansas:  KSNT-TV, ,Wichita Kansas:  KSNW-TV, in New Orleans, Louisiana:  WVUE-TV, in Omaha, Nebraska:  KM3NEWS, in Albequerque/Santa Fe, New Mexico:  KRQE-TV, in Portland, Oregon:  KOIN-TV, Charleston/Huntington, West Virginia:  WSAZ-TV, and in Green Bay, Wisconsin:  WLUK-TV.
  • Along with television and radio companies, Emmis also owns many publications such as Indianapolis Monthly,  Atlanta Magazine, Cincinnati Magazine, Country Sampler-Illinois, Los Angeles Magazine,  and Texas Monthly.Indianapolis Monthly
  • Emmis can be considered a conglomerate due to the three different major  industries in which  it  occupies,   television, radio, and publications. 
  • Emmis Communications became a globalized corporation with the purchase of Mega 98.3, Radio 10 of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Slager Radio of Budapest, Hungary.  The telecommunications company is always interested in expansion and is looking for more opportunities in the United States and throughout the world. 
  • The Corporation has many examples of vertical integration. For instance, the company owns all radio, television, and publication subsidiaries which are of three different types of industries. 
  • It also has many examples of horizontal integration with the numerous  subsidiaries of each kind of industry under its power. For instance, Emmis owns 26 different radio stations, 15 television stations, and 6 publications.  
  • Many opportunities for media synergy are available within the corporation. Radio and television stations could work together, sharing different programs. The same goes with the publications. An Emmis owned station could easily place an advertisement in an Emmis owned magazine.  Emmis Communications emphasizes to their employees that each one is a part of an entire team, whether working in radio, television, and publications.  
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financial Data
  • Net Revenue for 2002:  $180 Million.(Yahoo Finance)  Sales for 2002:  $533.8 Million. (A 13.4% increase from 2001).
  • Emmis currently has 3,050 employees. 
  • Ticker Symbol:  EMMS                                                                         NASDAQ.EMMIS
  • Stock Exchange:  NASDAQ 
  • For current stock price, stock chart, and current market cap see EMMS , courtesy of Hoovers.com, or also Nasdaq.com
  • SEC 10-K Form for fiscal year ended February 28, 2002. 10-K FORM, published May 14, 2002.  
  • Emmis Communications seems to be an ever growing corporation. Although, just like most businesses around the world, Emmis felt the effects of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Emmis decided to cut 10% of all employees compensation including salaries of the executives. However,with successful radio and television stations, most of which receive top ratings, and such a vast array of publications, Emmis continues to attract more of the population. As stated above, sales increased 13.4% in one year. The company can continue to hope for this success in years to come.   
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HISTORY
DETAILED TIMELINE OF EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS
"Emmis," the Hebrew word for Truth.

  • 1979  - Jeff Smulyan and colleagues purchase WSVL in Shelbyville, IN.
  • 1980 - Emmis incorporated in Indiana. 
  • July, 1981 - WENS (formerly WSVL) hits the air with an adult contemporary format. 
  • 1983 - Emmis purchases WLOL-FM in Minneapolis. 
  • 1984 - Emmis purchases KSHE-FM in St. Louis and KMGG (renamed KPWR) in Los Angeles from Century Broadcasting. 
  • 1986 - Emmis purchases WAPP-FM (renamed WQHT-FM) and WHN-AM (renamed WFAN) in New York City and WAVA-FM in Washington D.C. from Doubleday Broadcasting Company, Inc.
  • 1988 - Emmis purchases KKHT-FM in Houston, Texas. Emmis purchases Indianapolis Monthly.
  • 1989 - Jeff Smulyan and colleagues purchase the Seattle Mariners.
  • 1992 - Smulyan and colleagues sell the Seattle Mariners. 
  • 1993 - Emmis purchases Atlanta Magazine
  • April 1994 - Emmis purchases WIBC-AM and WNAP-FM in Indianapolis. 
  • December 1994 - Emmis purchases WRKS-FM in New York City. 
  • 1994 - Emmis becomes a public company.  NASDAQ:  EMMS 
  • 1995 - Emmis becomes the first company to own top rated stations in both New York and Los Angeles simultaneously. 
  • November 1996 - Emmis purchases WKBQ AM and FM (renamed WXTM Extreme Radio) and WKKX-FM in St. Louis. 
  • May 1997 - Emmis purchases WQCD-FM in New York. 
  • June 1997 - Emmis purchases WTLC AM and FM in Indianapolis. 
  • August 1997 - Emmis purchases Network Indiana and AgriAmerica Networks in Indianapolis. 
  • October 1997 - Emmis purchases Cincinnati Magazine.
  • November 1997 - Emmis International is awarded a license to operate a new national radio network in Hungary, Slager Radio.
  • January 1998 - Emmis purchases Mediatex Communications Corp., parent company of Texas Monthly.
  • March 1998 - Emmis enters the television by attaining four FOX affiliates from SF BRoadcasting and two other stations from Wabash Valley Broadcasting. 
  • June 1998 - Emmis Broadcasting changes its name to Emmis Communications Corporation. 
  • December 1998 - Emmis moves in to new worldwide headquarters on Monument Circle in Indianapolis, IN. 
  • February 1999 - Emmis Purchases Country Sampler-Illinois
  • June 1999 - Emmis purchases Barry Bakers rights to Sinclair Broadcast Groups St. Louis properties, including six radio stations and one television station.
  • October 1999 - Emmis has public offering of stock. Liberty Media purchases 2.7 million shares of Emmis for approximately $150 million. 
  • November 1999 - Emmis purchases FM News and Radio 10 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 
  • December 1999 - Emmis donates WTHI-AM to World Power, Inc. 
  • January 2000 - Emmis announces purchase of Los Angeles Magazine.
  • February 2000  - Emmis stock splits 2 for 1. 
  • May 2000 - emmis announces purchase of eight network affiliated and seven  satellite television stations from Lee Enterprises, growing its television division to fifteen network affiliated stations.  At the same time, Emmis announces it will explore ways to separate its television and radio businesses. 
  • June 2000 - Emmis announces settlement of Sinclair transaction. 
  • 2001 - Emmis purchases KALC-FM from Salem Communications 
  • 2002 - Sells Denver stations KALC-FM and KXPK-FM for $135 million.       


Jeff Smulyan
Jeff Smulyan, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
        
Smulyan is a cum laude graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.A. in History and Telecommunications. After operating two radio stations, one in Indianapolis, the other in Omaha, Smulayn formed Emmis in 1980. He became the primary shareholder. With Smulyan's leadership Emmis Communications has become a very successful company in the field of telecommunications, owning and operating 15 television stations, 25 radio stations, 7 magazines. Smulyan also serves as co-chair on the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, a member of  Ball State University's Board of Trustees. In 1995, R&R Magazine voted Smulyan one of the most influential radio executives of the past two decades. In 1994, the White House named Smulyan  the head of the U.S. Delegation of Plenipotentiary Conference of International Telecommunications Union. Smulyan represented the United States as an ambassador. Over the past twenty-three years Jeff Smulyan has led Emmis Communications to be one of the top telecommunications corporations. Currently Smulyan earns $901,125 per year.   (Emmis: Jeff Smulyan,  Multex Investor)


Walter Z. Berger, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
        Berger, 46, is a cum laude graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a B.B.A.  He has over twenty years of experience with corporate finance. Berger has worked for many large, diverse corporations including the $3.3 billion dollar marketing division of LG&E energy corporation. Berger also  serves on many different civic boards and committees. Currently, Berger earns $877,372 per year. ( Emmis: Walter Berger, Multex Investor)


Gary Kasseff, Executive Vice President and General Counsel
        
Kasseff has held his position at Emmis Communications since 1998. Before coming to Emmis Kasseff was a partner of the law firm Epport & Kasseff, was the president of the Seattle Mariners, and practiced law in southern California.  Kasseff has a current salary of $877,372 per year.  (Emmis: Gary Kasseff,  Multex Investor)


Rick Cummings, President of Radio Division
       
Cummings, 49, is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Butler University.  From 1973 to 1981 Cummings was an on-air at WFMS, Indianapolis, a talk show host at WITC, Hartford and WSMB New Orleans, and program director at WNTS, News Talk in Indianapolis.  In 1981, Cummings first joined Emmis as program director of Emmis's flagship station WENS-FM, Indianapolis.  In 1984, he became the national program director for Emmis. Then in 1987, Cummings became Executive Vice President of programming. In 1991, Cummings moved to Los Angeles to become the program director for KPWR-FM. While still keeping his corporate duties, Cummings brought Power 106 back to top ratings and founded the Knowledge is Power foundation raising over one million dollars for L.A.'s youth.  In 2002, Cummings became the president of the Emmis Radio Division and in the past few months he has re-luanched stations in Indianapolis and New York City, and signed on Slager Radio, in Hungary.  Currently, Cummings is earning $835,740 per year.  (Emmis: Rick Cummings, Multex Investor)

Randy Bongarten, President of Television Division
       
Bongarten, 51, has a B.A. in Economics from Oberlin College and a M.A. and M.S. in journalism from Columbia University.  Before joining Emmis Communications, Bongarten was the president of NBC Radio from 1984-1988. He worked with Emmis from 1988-1992, holding many positions including Executive Vice President of the Radio Division. In 2000, he was named the President of the Television Division, where he oversees the company's 15 stations across the country. He is also the co-chair of the Radio License Committee and also has served on the board of directors of both the National Association of Broadcasters and the Radio Advertising Bureau.  Currently, Bongarten earns $434,962 per year at Emmis Communications. (Emmis: Randy Bongarten, Multex Investor)


Gary Thoe, President of Publishing Division
       
Thoe, 45, has a B.A. and M.A. in chemical engineering from Purdue University and an M.B.A. from Indiana University. Thoe has been president of the Emmis Publishing Division since 1998. Before coming to Emmis, Thoe was the publisher of Indianapolis Monthly, from 1984-1988. He served as president of Mayhill Publications, Inc., and publisher of AntiqueWeek and FarmWeek newspapers from 1982-2000.  Thoe's salary is unavailable.  (Emmis: Gary Thoe)


Paul Fiddick, President of Emmis International
       
Fiddick, 52, is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism. He served as Assistant Secretary of Administration for the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1999-2001. He co-founded the Heritage Media Corp. in 1982, and was president of its 24 station radio division. From 1982-1986 he served as president of Multimedia Inc. Fiddick also served on the board of directors of the National Association of Broadcasters and the Radio Advertising Bureau. At Emmis, Fiddick oversees the international radio stations, Mega 98.3, Radio 10  in Buenos Aires, Argentina,  and Slager Radio in Budapest, Hungary. Fiddick's current salary is unavailable.  (Emmis: Paul Fiddick)


PLANS


        As stated in Emmis Communication's letter to their shareholders, one of the major items they are planning for 2003 is splitting their radio and television groups. They wish the two departments to be two separate entities. Smulyan also states in the letter that they will continue to "outperform their peers by posting the highest margins in our business."  

Letter to the Shareholders 2002

Press Releases/News Stories Describing Upcoming Plans

KEY COMPETITORS
Clear Channel - Clear channel owns and operates much of what can be heard or seen.  The company owns over 1,200 radio stations and is the worlds largest outdoor advertising companies.  Clear Channel also owns 37 American television stations.  

CUMULUS
Cumulus Broadcasting - Cumulus is the second largest radio station ownership group, behind Clear Channel. Cumulus owns and operates 260 radio stations throughout the country.  

Infinity Broadcasting Corporation - Infinity is a subsidiary of Viacom and owns 185 radio stations in the United States.  Infinity is also the United State's largest outdoor advertising company with over one million ads throughout the U.S. and Europe.  

Information provided by Hoovers.com

RECENT NEWS STORIES
Information provided by Inside Indiana Business