Joel Denver has long been seen as a futurist. From his syndicated weekend offering Future Hits heard on Top 40 radio stations across the 1980s and early 1990s to his creation of AllAccess.com as the first online-only radio industry news source, he’s been ahead of the tech curve when it comes to serving AM and FM radio station programmers.
Now, he’s teaming up with a former Katz Radio and Interep executive for an “AI-driven audio syndication company” that could get people talking about the artificial — yet very local — value proposition at hand.
Denver has been joined by Mike Agovino to launch SonicTrek.ai.
Its market availability comes thanks to a partnership with Futuri Media, which is fueling the AI-produced opportunity for stations signing on with SonicTrek.ai. The value? Station owners can receive “100% localized, 24/7 formats” that could signal the ultimate end to syndicated radio formats and, potentially, the widespread use of voicetracking by every major radio station ownership group.
As Agovino, who takes the Chief Revenue Officer role, and Denver see it, SonicTrek.ai brings stations and brands “hyper-authentic, scalable programming tailored to their markets.” Jimmy Risk is the company’s founder.
In prepared comments, Denver, who serves as SonicTrek.ai CEO, said, “SonicTrek.ai is about creating real, local experiences that resonate with listeners while using AI to unlock new levels of creativity and efficiency.”
On Facebook, Denver added, “We are using real air talent who have created a voice library for us to use.”
The “flagship brand” of SonicTrek.ai is branded as “Phoebe.fm,” a “Curiously Alternative” female-leaning format shaped by former KVNA-FM programmer and on-air host Dennis Constantine, whose resume includes 13 years at KINK-FM in Portland, Ore., and two years at the former KFOG-FM in San Francisco.
Three other 24/7 formats featuring all-AI delivery include “MyCountry.fm,” crafted by veteran Country music programmer Charlie Cook; Classic Rock “Starship.fm,” designed by iconic programming leader Lee Abrams; and Classic Hits “CoolClassics.ai,” formulated by Brian Kelly.
Each of the four AI-fueled audio syndication offerings can be found on the company’s website, along with a comment from an AI-generated Agovino.
In prepared comments distributed by SonicTrek.ai, Agovino said, “SonicTrek delivers on the long-promised dream of truly localized syndication and conversational AI.”
Futuri CEO Daniel Anstandig added, “Together, SonicTrek and Futuri make it possible for every station to sound live and local in every daypart, tuned to what audiences care about right now.”
Each SonicTrek.ai playlist is powered by the MusicMaster scheduling system.
This enters an arena where companies such as Super Hi-Fi have been active since 2018.
