Leading digital sports and entertainment operator DraftKings entered today into a new partnership deal in the media space that will further boost its presence across sports audiences by becoming the official odds supplier of number one US audio sports programming iHeartMedia.
Amplify US Reach
The multi-year strategic partnership deal between Boston-based DraftKings and Texas-headquartered iHeartMedia that covers the media’s broadcast, digital, podcast and social platforms will allow the sportsbook operator to co-create and distribute long-form content with the audio media, as well as receive preferred access to the media’s full roster of diverse personalities.
Customer engagement remains a primary focus for DraftKings, and this latest agreement with iHeartMedia amplifies our reach immensely to a dedicated audience that spans more than 160 markets across the country with the largest audio company in the U.S.”
Matt Kalish, Co-Founder and President, DraftKings North America
Hosting the largest sports audio network in the US and with a product portfolio covering broadcast, streaming, digital, podcast and experiential, the partnership with iHeartMedia opens up vast opportunities for DraftKings to engage with sports fans and bettors in new and innovative ways.
The partnership will also allow both companies to collaborate, create and distribute shows and segments across the entire range of radio and digital properties of the audio sports media, as well as its live sports broadcasts. DraftKings and iHeartMedia intend to also collaborate on numerous experiential opportunities for the audiences among which cross-platform interactive games.
“Analytically tapping into iHeart’s coveted listenership while powering authentic betting content is a landmark moment for both organizations and precursor to new possibilities in media innovation,” Matt Kalish concluded.
Ideal Partner to Expand and Innovate
Commenting on the partnership, iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group CEO Greg Ashlock outlined the company would continue to “build new sports content,” looking for ideal partners like DraftKings to expand and innovate.
“DraftKings is a premier sports technology and entertainment company that provides millions of customers with the best in real-money gaming products along with exceptional safety and security through various responsible gaming measures. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership everywhere sports betting is permissible.”
Greg Ashlock, CEO, Multiplatform Group, iHeartMedia
As part of the deal, DraftKings, the leader in the betting app market, will be able to leverage SmartAudio, iHeartMedia’s suite of data-driven advertising products, while the integration will provide the sports betting operator with exposure across an audience of over 270 million monthly listeners, as well as apply a more tailored approach to local audiences.