While BlogTalkRadio is best known to be the largest social radio network with more than 600 live original broadcasts per day, it’s our Branded Private Network offering which has created a lot of interest from major brands and organizations. Our clients include Harper Collins, the Pentagon, Woman’s Day Magazine, Sun Microsystems and more.

BlogTalkRadio enables anyone or any company to create two-way conversations which are broadcast live and then automatically recorded as a podcast. Our platform integrates the phone into the web, thereby creating a simple user experience.

Most of the large companies and brands we are speaking with are seeking innovative ways to reach their target audience. As noted in this Media Post article entitled – Facebook, MySpace aren’t making the marketing cut, “ … more than half (55%) of the 180 responding chief marketers–representing brands with revenues ranging from $250 million to more than $10 billion–indicated low current interest in actually incorporating the networking sites into their plans.

One-third said they’re “not interested at all” in getting Facebook and MySpace into their plans, and 22% said they’re “not too interested,” while 35% are very or somewhat interested.

Karlene Lukovitz goes on to say that “Other, more “traditional” social media scored far higher on the very/somewhat interested in integrating question. More than half (52%) ranked both Internet forums and Webinars in this category, followed by Webcasts and podcasts (47%), email (also 47%) and blogs (37%)”

Every day we hear our clients and partners say that they want their brands to be part of the conversation and that they want these conversations to be genuine and authentic. I fully agree with their assessment

What do you think?

My Dad, Maurice Levy

Welcome to my blog. My name is Alan Levy and I am the co-founder and CEO of BlogTalkRadio.

This is actually the second blog I have created. My first blog, called Theinspirationalvisit.blogspot.com was created in April 2006 when my dad was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma.  My father died in May 2006. His illness spawned the idea of empowering and enabling anyone to create their own call in radio show.

I live in northern NJ, This Side of the Bridge; the George Washington Bridge. I spend a lot of time in NYC, which is just over the GWB, but I spend most of my time at home with my family and friends and working on BTR.

Prior to the spring of 2006, I knew nothing about blogs. In fact, when I created BlogTalkRadio, I knew very very little about podcasts, RSS feeds, social media.  In a little more than two years I have learned a great deal and have witnessed the development of a vibrant on-line community.

BlogTalkRadio, which I will often refer to as BTR, was built from scratch. We started with no hosts, no website, no technology, no listeners, nothing but an idea and a burning desire to build a legacy for my dad.

It’s not easy building a start up company. There are many ups and downs, lots of frustrating moments. On the other hand, there is nothing more exhilarating than building a company like this. I work with the most amazing dedicated people and each day I am surprised at their commitment. I simply love what I do every day.

I invite you to read my blog. With this blog, I hope to share some useful insights from This Side of the Bridge.