Company Info
Description of Technology
The ActRadio technology is a new kind of easy to operate, low
power AM radio transmitter that can be used to broadcast messages
to car radios either in a drive-through lane, parking lot, or
stopped in front of any kind of location. The device can broadcast
a clear message up to 1000 feet on any available AM frequency,
so it can easily reach cars within a good radius of a location.
The message is loaded onto a five-minute digital chip by simply
speaking into a microphone. Or, a professionally produced message
can be downloaded via a tape or CD player. The message is then
broadcast in a continuous loop. As cars drive-up or are stopped
in front of a location, a fun, interesting sign or banner encourages
them to tune their car radio to a specific AM frequency, and listen
to the message.
The ActRadio transmitters are manufactured in Taiwan
and imported to the U.S. They are safe, legal, and trouble free.
They are in full compliance with FCC regulations. Individual locations
do not require a separate license. The transmitters broadcast
on any frequency from 560 to 1700 AM. The digital tuning system
has a patent pending that represents a major breakthrough in radio
broadcasting technology.
Today, the transmitters are primarily marketed under
the brand name "Talking House". (For more information,
see www.talkinghouse.com) The technology should also have significant
appeal to a large number of other businesses and locations.
History of Technology
The ActRadio technology was conceived by long-time realtor, Rick
Matthew, and developed by his son, Scott Matthew. Together, they
formed a company called Realty Electronics, Inc., and introduced
this technology to the real estate market in 1985. While their
original "gray box" device had some performance problems,
they still built a respectable national business from their headquarters
in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Over the years, Realty Electronics
has focused exclusively on marketing to the real estate industry.
The company continuously worked on improving the technology, and
in July of 1999, introduced a "perfected" product. The
improved, "black box" unit receives a 95% satisfaction
rating among realtors who have used the units for at least three
months. Importantly, a companion exterior antenna was developed
for the new unit which significantly increases it¹s performance
and usefulness to many other businesses and locations.
Radio Technologies LLC purchased the technology
from Realty Electronics in October 2000, and has aggressive plans
to expand it to a variety of other businesses and locations.
Competition
Currently, there are no competitors which mass produce a similar
AM device. FCC regulations also allow for a FM band device. The
regulations are much more restrictive for FM, however, and allow
for a device that can only transmit up to 100 feet. Plus, the
FM band is such a crowded band, it is very difficult to find an
open FM frequency. Thus, again, there are currently no competitors
which mass produce an FM device. There are companies that produce
AM devices on a single unit, custom order basis that are "factory-set"
to a single, specific AM frequency. Typically, these are used
by parks and in highway traffic announcement systems. These companies
are not set up to mass produce their devices, and as such, they
are not competitively priced. (e.g. $2000 to $2,500 per unit.)
Applications
The ActRadio technology has a wide variety of potential uses.
The units are priced to the various users/locations at a very
attractive cost which is comparable to that of a small newspaper
advertisement that runs just once in a local newspaper. An ActRadio
transmitter, on the other hand, can be used for many years for
advertising and promotion.
Company Management
Michael Miller
Michael Miller is the President of Radio Technologies
LLC. He is an accomplished marketing executive with an impressive
record of success across a diverse category of products. Mike
graduated with a BBA in Marketing from the University of Notre
Dame in 1977. He spent 13 years at Leo Burnett Advertising, and
then, throughout the mid/late 90's, he spearheaded a dramatic
turnaround at Beltone Electronics in its network of more than
400 hearing care centers. Between Leo Burnett and Beltone, Mike
ran his own successful entertainment marketing company. Throughout
his career, Mike has proven he is a creative idea person with
sound expertise in strategic planning, innovative database marketing,
and all facets of advertising, promotions, and public relations.
Ray Miller
Ray T. Miller will serve as the Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer of the company. Ray has extensive experience
in finance and operations. He graduated from the University of
Notre Dame with a BBA in accounting in 1974. He spent the first
10 years of his career with Deloitte and Touche. For the next
14 years, Ray was the Chief Operating Officer of North American
Bear Co., Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of stuffed animals.
Ray was responsible for putting all the systems and procedures
in place that enabled the company to quadruple their sales while
increasing profits.