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Alternative Is Back! Merlin Media Resurrects WKQX

Merlin Media, LLC (“Merlin Media”) has launched Q87.7 sooner than the previously
publicized Monday 5/7/12 date.

With the familiar call letters WKQX, Q87.7 (87.7 MHz, Chicago) began its rebirth on
Sunday at 7:00p.m.

“We just couldn’t contain our excitement about our new toy”, said The Merlin Marlin. He
added, “It’s like the night before Christmas…we opened the presents early. Sadly, it’s
not the first time I’ve done something premature.”

John Gehron, Chairman of The Merlin Advisory Board said, “Q87.7 features a melodic,
mainstream Alternative music mix designed to attract Chicagoland’s young adult
listeners. It concentrates heavily on music from the last 18 months by artists like Black
Keys, Grouplove, Neon Trees, Mumford & Sons, Gotye and fun. Established core artists
include Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Killers, Muse, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili
Peppers and Smashing Pumpkins.”

Merlin Media entered into a Local Marketing Agreement (LMA) with Venture
Technologies Group, LLC to program and sell advertising on WLFM-LP (87.7 MHz,
Chicago, IL) effective 4/30/12. WIQI-FM’s FM News (101 MHz, Chicago) had been
simulcast on 87.7FM until now. This marks the return of the Alternative format to
Chicago’s airwaves.

WKQX-LP is a low-power TV station whose audio can be heard on 87.7 FM.

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Merlin Media Officially Makes It Official

Merlin Media, LLC (“Merlin Media”) has decided to make the official
announcement of Jim Richards as Operations Manager of the recently-launched
Alternative WKQX-LP (Q87.7 87.7 MHz, Chicago) and heritage Classic Rocker
WLUP-FM (The Loop 97.9 MHz, Chicago).

Several days ago, reports surfaced from unnamed sources and paid informants
of this hire. That led to widespread rumor, conjecture and speculation in an
industry that’s famous for widespread rumor, conjecture and speculation. Now,
the Merlin Marlin has had enough. “I was getting tired of him asking if he could
update his Facebook profile to ‘employed’, so I’m finally making this official”, he
said.

Richards was unavailable for comment at press time as he was busy updating
his Facebook status.

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Smooth Jazz Returns to Chicago Airwaves

Merlin Media, LLC (“Merlin Media”) began airing Broadcast Architecture’s Smooth Jazz network today (5/3/12) on WLUP’s HD-3 (97.9 MHz, Chicago, IL).

“After seeing the outpouring from the former WLFM fans, we decided to find a way to give Smooth Jazz lovers a new outlet for the music that creates so much passion”, said John Gehron, Merlin Media’s Advisory Committee Chairman. He added, “Merlin Media is proud to continue to offer underserved music constituencies homes for their favorite music.”

Merlin Media entered into a Local Marketing Agreement (LMA) with Venture Technologies Group, LLC to program and sell advertising on WLFM-LP (87.7 MHz, Chicago, IL) effective 4/30/12. WIQI-FM’s FM News (101 MHz, Chicago) is currently being simulcast on 87.7FM. Beginning Monday, FM News will be replaced with Q87.7 – Underground. Alternative. This will mark the return of the Alternative format to Chicago’s airwaves.

WLFM-LP is a low-power TV station whose audio can be heard on 87.7 FM.

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Merlin Media, LLC Expands in Chicago

Chicago, IL – Merlin Media, LLC (“Merlin Media”) has entered into a Local Marketing Agreement (LMA) with WLFM, LLC to program and sell advertising on WLFM-LP (87.7 MHz, Chicago, IL) effective 4/30/12.

WLFM-LP is a low-power Chicago area TV station whose audio can be heard on 87.7 FM, video can be received with VHF antenna’s and viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 877 where it is currently playing Smooth Jazz and displaying local news weather and traffic. Beginning at 1:00pm tomorrow WLFM-LP will air news updates from FM News 101.1 (WIQI-FM 101.1 MHz).

John Gehron, Chairman of Merlin Media’s Advisory Committee said, “We believe this transaction will create significant value for viewers and listeners of 87.7. The opportunity to expand the footprint of Merlin Media in Chicago is very exciting. Our goal is to expand the video and interactive components of WLFM-LP. We want to continue the focus of serving underserved audiences.”

“We are extremely excited with the opportunity to partner with Merlin Media,” said Paul Koplin from WLFM, LLC. “We are thrilled for the opportunity to allow Merlin Media to expand 87.7’s programming offerings.”

Merlin Media is owned by GTCR, a leading private equity firm, Emmis Communications, a diversified media company and Randy Michaels, a former newspaper and television executive.

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MERLIN MEDIA FILES TO ENTER CAMDEN NEW JERSEY MARKET

Family Stations, Inc. has agreed to sell the assets of WKDN-FM, Camden, NJ, to Merlin Media, LLC Licensee. An application for ownership transfer has been filed with the Federal Communications Commission. WKDN serves the Philadelphia market.
Merlin Media is now actively looking for staff who can pronounce Schuykill, Wissahickon, Manayuk, Tredyffrin, Gwynedd, Pennsauken, Bala Cynwyd and Bryn Mawr.
The application to transfer WKDN to Merlin must be approved by certain regulatory agencies and other higher authorities.
Merlin Media is owned by GTCR, a bunch of really smart guys in Chicago, as well as Jeff Smulyan’s Emmis Communications (true!) and former newspaper executive, Randy Michaels.

Family Stations, Inc., operating as Family Radio, is a nondenominational, non-commercial, non-profit, listener-supported, 24-hour Christian ministry that has agreed to sell the 106.9 FM frequency to Merlin Media, LLC. Family Radio’s listeners can still enjoy Family Radio’s programming at www.familyradio.com or on WFME-TV on channel 29 and over sub-channel 35.66 in Philadelphia.

Media Venture Partners represented Family Stations, Inc. in this transaction.

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Merlin Media Launches Chicago’s Only 24-Hour All-News Station with
FM News 101.1

New York, New York (July 31, 2011) – Merlin Media, a new multiplatform, multimedia company, today launched FM News 101.1 as Chicago’s only 24-hour all-news station.
Whenever listeners tune in to Chicago’s FM News 101.1 they will experience credible news, jargon-free traffic reports, and accurate weather. Listeners will engage with information from leading experts on subjects such as health, family, career, money, entertainment, beauty, and more. The station’s terrific content will be accessible through many platforms including online video, social media, mobile, and tablets. Advertisers will become part of a highly effective mix that includes sponsorships, billboards, endorsements, Internet, mobile, tablets, and live reads.

“My favorite format has always been spoken radio,” said Randy Michaels, CEO, Merlin Media. “I’ve long had a nostalgic love affair with the big AM stations known for the format, and today – as music moves to the iPod – it’s time for spoken word to move to FM. I’m proud to be part of Chicago’s only 24-hour all-news station.”

Walter Sabo, COO, Merlin Media added: “Busy adults have told us they need their information on FM, online, and through social media. Our team is prepared to serve them with unparalleled content on every stage.”

“We’ve put together a stellar group of Chicago information news hosts, writers and producers,” said Andy Friedman, VP of Programming, Merlin Media. “They will identify precisely the stories our listeners demand.”

Assembled by Merlin Media’s team of veteran executives who have deep experience in companies like Harpo Productions and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, FM News 101.1’s content will be delivered by some of the best talent in the business, including:

• Mary Ellen Geist is an award-winning broadcast journalist having worked at ABC and CBS radio stations. Geist’s many honors include national and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and Associated Press Awards for best newscast, live coverage, investigative reporting, and Reporter of the Year.

• Ed Curran is a veteran of Chicago media, having been on-air since the mid-‘70s at WEFA-FM, WGCI-FM, WIND-AM, and WGN-AM, where he worked alongside Bob Collins and co-hosted “The Al & Ed Show” with Al Lerner.

• Rob Hart has been a news anchor, reporter, and talk show host over the course of his career at two famous radio stations – WTMJ in Milwaukee and WGN in Chicago. He first went on-air as a sophomore at Marquette University.

• Dave Williams is an award-winning anchor who has received multiple Golden Mike and Mark Twain awards as Best News Anchor in a Major Market. For 20 years at Sacramento’s KFBK, he was the highest-rated radio personality in the city’s history.

• JoAnn Genette has consistently worked in Chicago radio, most recently hosting her own radio talk show. Her big break was a co-host and news reporting role with Chicago radio legend Robert Murphy.

• Monica DeSantis has been in radio for 18 years, most notably as a morning anchor at WLS-AM and several other Chicago news and sports stations. The longtime Chicagoan hails originally from Toronto, Canada.

• Brett Larson is an Emmy® Award winner and one of the nation’s most familiar names in technology and environmental coverage. Larson is a recognized voice on the radio from coast-to-coast.

• Charlie Meyerson has delivered the news to the Chicago area for several decades having spent time at WXRT-FM, WNUA-FM, and ChicagoTribune.com. Meyerson is the winner of dozens of journalism awards, including a national UPI award for investigative reporting.

• Annette Flournoy is a Chicago native, having previously served as the News Director and afternoon news anchor of WVON-AM. Flournoy has worked as an award-winning Associate Producer of “Oprah & Friends” with Harpo Radio.

• Lise Dominique has worked with some of the best on-air talents in Chicago radio as a traffic reporter and newsperson on WLUP-AM/FM with Jonathan Brandmeier, Kevin Matthews, Steve Dahl and Garry Meier, as well as on WTMX-FM with Ron Britain and Brant Miller.

• Diana Bodkins is a household name outside of Chicago, having worked as a morning show producer at WFYR-FM and program director for WLS-AM and WLS-FM. Bodkins will play a key role as a programmer at FM News 101.1.

• Scott Miller is a top-rated morning show host who worked as a producer for Harpo Radio since its inception, most notably for the “Gayle King Show” on XM radio. He also worked as a producer for WCKG-FM.

• Debra Dale has been a Chicago radio stalwart for the past 25 years, having worked for WBBM-AM since 1992 as a traffic reporter and as a news reporter and anchor. Prior to that, she spent six years with WUSN-FM.

• Sam Sylk is a radio veteran and Chicago-native, beginning his career on WKKC-FM in the early ‘90s. Sylk worked on WGCI-FM as an afternoon host and in 2009 began working his “Sylky Style” on the afternoon drive shift on WPWX-FM.

• Ryan Burrow recently worked as Online National News Producer for the Tribune Co. and has served as a radio reporter at Clear Channel, NewsRadio 600 WREC, and WFVA/WBQB. The Chicago native will take his skill set to the streets as a reporter for FM News 101.1.

• Jeff McKinney was the news anchor for WCCO-AM in Minneapolis, Minnesota for nearly 16 years.

• Guy Bauer worked on Comedy Central’s famous “Crank Yankers” and with Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla on “The Man Show.” Bauer became Executive Producer of Jonathon Brandmeier’s morning show on L.A.’s KCBS-FM in 2004, and moved to WLUP-FM/Chicago in 2005. Bauer also hosts “The Guy Bauer Half Hour,” which was featured in Time Magazine.

• Veronica Carter is known by late-night listeners as a deft news reporter and weekend anchor on WGN-AM’s overnight show. In that capacity, the California native worked alongside Steve King and Johnnie Putman.

• Sarah Jersild is a writer, blogger, and podcaster for a number of well-known online outlets. She was a Senior Producer for Tribune Broadcasting and will cover entertainment news.

• Victoria Keelan has spent the last five years on Sirius XM’s Cosmo Radio, bringing audiences the latest and hottest trends in the world of fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and food on “Cosmo Life with Victoria.”

• Anne Kelly has worked as a reporter for WCIA-TV in Illinois and KFYR-TV in North Dakota. The young talent will be the northwest suburbs bureau chief for FM News 101.1.

• Katherine Kelly will be the western suburbs bureau chief for FM News 101.1. She has worked as a producer and operations manager at Harpo Radio, and was a morning news anchor and producer for WUSN-FM.

• Brant Miller spent 15 years as one of Chicago’s top DJ’s on WLS-AM and then WLS-FM. In 1989, Miller became a meteorologist with WFLD-TV, later serving as WMAQ-TV’s Chief Meteorologist.

• Jennifer O’Neill is a Chicago native who began her career in 1999 as a producer and writer for WBBM-AM.

• Art Porter is an experienced Chicago radio producer, having worked on morning shows for WVAZ-FM and WGCI-FM. Porter produced Crazy Howard McGee’s well-known morning show and the “Morning Riot” show.

• Jill Urchak is a popular Chicago-based news and traffic reporter having worked on WLS-AM and WLS-FM. She was also a DJ on WABT-FM.

• Mike Wilson began his career as one of the youngest producers in Chicago at WLS radio. He comes to FM News 101.1 as a respected news reporter from WOWO-AM and will now do overnights.

Merlin Media Builds on Talent with Andy Friedman, VP of Internet Initiatives

NEW YORK, NY (June 22, 2011) – Merlin Media announced today the appointment of accomplished media content leader, Andy Friedman, as Vice President of Internet Initiatives.
Merlin Media was formed to acquire and operate radio stations through a partnership between Chicago-based private equity firm GTCR and Emmis Communications, a diversified media company focused on radio broadcasting. With GTCR’s resources and Emmis Communications’ expertise in radio operations, the company begins with a base of three stations – two in Chicago and one in New York – and seeks to develop a network of radio stations across the country.
“Andy has better insight than anyone into how traditional media should use the web,” said Randy Michaels, Chairman and CEO of Merlin Media. “I’ve worked with Andy at three companies and now, at Merlin Media, he will be in an ideal environment to put all of that knowledge to excellent use. We are a multimedia company where an interactive, one-to-one web and mobile experience is critical to success. Andy is one of the best guys in America to bring it all together.”
“It is truly exciting to be teamed with Randy once again,” said Friedman. “Merlin Media has a tremendous amount of potential to make an impact on the industry backed by the skilled talent being brought on board. We will bring the latest in media, broadcast radio and business savvy to the table in a way that will push the boundaries of the industry in new and creative ways.”
Friedman offers over 20 years of experience in the radio and interactive media fields, having held executive positions at the Tribune Company and Clear Channel Communications. Most recently, Friedman was VP of Interactive Content at Tribune, where he was responsible for overseeing all broadcasting websites’ content strategy, terrestrial integration, and operations, as well as growing syndicated content page views 400% in one year. Prior to this, Friedman had an extensive 8-year tenure as VP of Online News, Talk, and Sports at Clear Channel where he oversaw national online informational content and the on-air news network, while helping grow online audience by 90% in one year for 225 informational web sites. Friedman received his BA from UC Berkley and his MBA in Marketing from The University of Southern California. He was also a reporter for KFI AM in Los Angeles, where he covered the O.J. Simpson trial.

About Merlin Media LLC:
Merlin Media LLC was formed in June, 2011 by leading private equity firm GTCR in partnership with Emmis Communications (NasdaqGS: EMMS), a diversified media company, and Randy Michaels for the purpose of acquiring and operating media assets. Merlin Media has signed definitive documentation with Emmis Communications to purchase WKQX-FM (101.1 MHz, Chicago, IL), WLUP-FM (97.9 MHz, Chicago, IL) and WRXP-FM (101.9 MHz, New York, NY).

Newly Created Merlin Media Appoints John Gehron, Chairman, Advisory Board, and Liz Aiello, Vice President, New York

NEW YORK, NY (June 21, 2011) – Merlin Media announced today the addition of renowned radio executive John Gehron as Chairman, Advisory Board, and Liz Aiello, former SVP of Broadcast at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, as Vice President, New York.
Merlin Media was formed today to acquire and operate radio stations through a partnership between Chicago-based private equity firm GTCR and Emmis Communications, a diversified media company focused on radio broadcasting. With GTCR’s resources and Emmis Communications’ expertise in radio operations, the company begins with a base of three stations – two in Chicago and one in New York – and seeks to develop a network of radio stations across the country.

“I was lucky enough to recruit John to run the Chicago cluster during my time at Clear Channel and I am thrilled to be working with him again now,” said Randy Michaels, Chairman and CEO of Merlin Media. “At Merlin Media, we aren’t building a broadcast company, but a multimedia, multiplatform company. Liz has deep experience in radio, television, satellite, cable and interactive, and her intelligence and extensive contacts in New York will be the perfect addition to our new company. We are pleased to welcome them both, and the unique strengths they bring with them, to the Merlin Media team.”
“I am looking forward to contributing to Merlin Media’s success in the Chicago area. With two of our three founding stations here, Chicago will be central to building our brand and leveraging our industry expertise for the success of this new venture,” said Gehron. “After nearly four decades in radio, I’ve been privileged to watch the medium grow and thrive. Now, with Merlin Media, I’m excited to be part of another important twist in the evolution of our industry.”

Aiello added, “Merlin Media has brought together the best talent in radio broadcasting with experts in business-building. This unique opportunity to craft something new in such an established industry is an exciting challenge I look forward to meeting head-on.”
John Gehron, Chairman, Advisory Board, will be responsible for building a strategic and robust relationship with key business partners in Chicago. Gehron has 40 years of experience as a pioneer and leader in the radio industry. Recently, Gehron formed Broadcast Wisdom, a radio consulting company, and became COO of AccuRadio, one of the leading Internet radio companies. Prior to that, he was Regional Vice President and Market Manager for Clear Channel, in addition to holding several other leadership positions at media and radio broadcasting firms in the Chicago area.
Liz Aiello, Vice President, New York, joins Merlin Media after serving five years as Senior Vice President of Broadcast at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Aiello was recruited by the company to revise the Martha Stewart Living Radio station brand on Sirius Satellite Radio. She rebuilt the 24/7 channel with new talent, all-new programming and customized content for advertisers for a new level of branded entertainment. Previously, Aiello worked for legendary broadcaster, Howard Stern, and at WABC-TV as Managing Editor and Executive Producer.

GTCR ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO PARTNER WITH EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS TO ACQUIRE MERLIN MEDIA LLC

CHICAGO, IL – June 21st, 2011 – GTCR, a leading private equity firm, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to partner with Emmis Communications (NasdaqGS: EMMS) and Randy Michaels to form Merlin Media LLC (“Merlin Media”) for the purpose of acquiring and operating media assets.

Merlin Media has signed definitive documentation with Emmis Communications to purchase WKQX-FM (101.1 MHz, Chicago, IL), WLUP-FM (97.9 MHz, Chicago, IL) and WRXP-FM (101.9 MHz, New York, NY). Closing of this transaction is pending regulatory approvals.

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to partner with Emmis and Randy,” said Philip A. Canfield, Principal at GTCR. “Emmis’s CEO, Jeff Smulyan, and Randy Michaels are both proven veterans of the media industry and we look forward to working with them to provide valuable media content to Merlin Media’s future consumers.”

“We believe this transaction will create significant value for our shareholders” noted Jeff Smulyan. “Emmis Communications looks forward to continuing to provide valuable and enjoyable content to our listenership audiences in the Chicago and New York markets.”

Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal counsel and PriceWaterhouseCoopers served as accounting advisor to GTCR. GTCR’s investment in Radio Newco will be made from GTCR Fund X, a private equity fund with $3.25 billion of committed capital.