SpinVox Lends a Voice to WNYC Listeners

SpinVox, a provider of voice-to-content messaging, is giving listeners of "The Takeaway With John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji," a morning news program on public radio network WNYC, a way to contribute to the show’s dialogue by speaking messages which are then converted into text and either read on air by the hosts and/or posted to the show’s Web site. Listeners can leave short and concise messages without being put on hold or talking to a call screener first.

While similar radio call-in shows invite listener participation, the opinions that make it on the air are often restricted to keep the presenters’ conversation moving forward. With the SpinVox technology, hosts of "The Takeaway" can sort through these messages quickly and deliver more of the most salient thoughts on the air.

With SpinVox, "The Takeaway" is not only able to easily incorporate more listener opinion, they are able to track reaction and convey a diversity of viewpoints by speedily sorting through listener responses while still on the air.

"Listeners have reacted strongly to the news of the last several days and weeks, letting us know their views on the economic crisis and its handling," says Jonathan Dyer, managing editor, "The Takeaway." "SpinVox has helped us capture and share that reaction in a seamless and hassle-free way, allowing our show to truly reflect the American conversation. We have come to regard SpinVox as part of 'The Takeaway’s DNA and it has helped set us apart from other U.S. public radio programs."

This past week, the show re-introduced ‘America's Exit Poll’ which first launched during the primary season. Listeners are given the opportunity to call in and leave a short message discussing who they support for president, and why. The poll is sure to yield some very insightful results and a preview as to how the actual election might turn out. SpinVox enables the producers to manage the responses and produce results in real time.

"SpinVox has always been about giving people the opportunity to speak freely and communicate in the most natural way—by using their voice," says Christina Domecq, CEO of SpinVox. "The success that WNYC has had with our technology demonstrates the value and wide-ranging application of SpinVox voice-to-text."

"The Takeaway" can currently be heard in 20 U.S. markets, including New York, Boston, Baltimore, Atlanta, and Seattle, among others and online at www.thetakeaway.org. Listeners who want to participate can do so by visiting www.thetakeaway.org and dialing the phone number on the site.