| InStore Audio Network | |
| Type: | Private |
| Foundation: | 1983 |
| Fate: | Acquired by Stingray Group, dissolved, brand retired |
| Location: | 13 Roszel Road, Princeton, New Jersey |
| Industry: | Retail Media |
| Num Employees: | 65 |
| Products: | Distribution of music & video |
InStore Audio Network (ISAN), formerly InStore Broadcasting Network (IBN), was an American broadcasting company which provided in-store music, video content and audio advertising for delivery within supermarkets and drugstores.[1] At the time of its acquisition, the company was headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey.[2]
Founded in 1983 as POP Radio, ISAN was acquired by Heritage Media in 1990. The company was merged into Heritage subsidiary ActRadio, before Heritage was acquired by News America Marketing, a division of News Corporation, in 1997. Then known as the InStore Broadcasting Network, the company was spun off from News America Marketing in 2003, sold to Gary Seem and Jeff Shapiro. Its headquarters relocated from Salt Lake City to Princeton, New Jersey in 2014.[3]
ISAN was acquired by Stingray Group in January 2022.[4] The ISAN brand was phased out later that year, with the service rebranded as Stingray Advertising.[5]
InStore Audio Network's music programming is housed locally on a music server at each location, containing the music library, audio messages and ISAN's proprietary scheduling and delivery software.[6] This software enables each server to receive new audio ads and music playlists as often as necessary, transferred over the Internet.[7] The playlists dictate what will be played during the following week in that particular store so that every retail store can be customized with its own music and/or audio messages.[8] [9]
ISAN claims to provide music and/or audio messages to over 22,000 supermarkets and pharmacies in the United States.[10] Its typically works with retailers who are national or regional in nature.[11] Included are stores owned by Ahold (including Giant Food Stores, Stop & Shop, Tops and Martin's), Albertsons (including Safeway and others), Kroger, Supervalu, Meijer, and Southeastern Grocers.[12] [13]
InStore Audio Network directly competes with the following companies: