GCap Media has been appointed the national airtime sales contract for GMG's three radio brands, Real, Rock and Smooth. The deal, predicted by many industry professionals, follows a recent parting of ways between GMG Radio and Global Radio.
GCap already manages the national revenue for GMG Radio’s two Century FM stations in the North West and North East of England and will take on the contract for the additional nine stations from January 1st 2008. Now, with just one company selling national airtime for both Century FM and Real Radio, it is more likely the on-air names will be uniformed to offer a clearer brand to clients.
GCap has been selling national airtime on behalf of GMG Radio since the stations changed hands just over a year ago. That deal has another four years left to run.
GMG Radio Chief Executive John Myers said: “We would like to thank Global Radio and their team for their hard work over the past seven years. As our own group grows we have reviewed our options and we feel our new association with GCap will give us greater presence in the market place. They have performed brilliantly over the past year for us with the two Century stations and we are looking forward to a bigger relationship in the future.”
In addition, the new contract will also lead to the restructure of several other sales services which will streamline the number of contact points for agencies. National Sponsorship and Promotions activity for all GMG Radio brands, which has been managed by Global and GCap, will also move in-house within GMG Radio from January 1st 2008.
GCap’s MD London, Fru Hazlitt commented: “We are delighted to have secured this important contract with GMG. By adding these stations to our own family of well known radio brands including Classic FM, Capital 95.8 and Xfm, we will be able to offer our clients a powerful and unrivalled radio opportunity across the UK.”
The team of three Smooth Radio brand specialists headed by Rupert Garrett currently employed by Global will move to GCap Media as part of the new contract.