Commercial radio consultant Mark Briggs is heading up a new radio industry support organisation. United Radio formally launches this month, with Briggs now appointed as CEO.
United Radio brings together some of radio’s most experienced professionals to create an unparalleled resource network for the UK and global radio industry. The organisation will support UK and overseas radio operators with strategic consultancy and a growing range of products and services.
Initial focus will be to service demand for licence applications support, station launches, interim management and training. The organisation is also actively developing overseas consultancy opportunities. United Radio is unlike any other radio resource. It’s unique structure will bring together many of radio’s leading consultants and specialists into a single, dynamic and independent resource centre. Announcements of further appointments will follow later in the month.
Mark Briggs told RadioToday.co.uk: “There is so much talent within the radio industry, but until now no one indepdendent organisation has brought this together to create a single resource. That’s where United Radio is different – and where we can add real value for our clients both in the UK and overseas. Radio operators are often fully stretched and it is often not practical to pull out key internal resources for specialist projects, such as licence applications or station launches. That’s just one area where United Radio will be a valuable assistance to our clients. We are also developing innovative and dynamic training and research products for the industry.”
Mark was Head of Commercial Services for Capital Radio plc from 1995, where he developed new programme strands in emerging markets. He was responsible for projects like Eurotunnel Radio, Capital?s in-flight radio channels on British Airways and even syndicating Capital Radio London live to Brunei. In 1998, Mark went on to launch and operate new local commercial stations along the South East Coast, where he became Regional Managing Director of Radio Investments Ltd (RIL).
Mark has spent the past five years as a consultant working on special projects and interim management. His clients include Saga Radio, UKRD Group, Absolute Radio and Tindle Radio, where he where he recently managed the winning FM licence application for Ipswich. Mark regularly assists Spectrum Strategy Consultants as an associate radio specialist; this includes projects with the UK media regulator, Ofcom.