Radio group UKRD is leading the way in organising a cross-station appeal to raise money for the Disaster Emergency Committee’s Haiti appeal under the name Hope for Haiti.
The 18-station group will create and manage an online auction appeal, and welcomes other radio groups and individual stations to get involved.
Details of the network initiative comes just one week after it was [link=https://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.5542]suggested[/link] commercial radio pulls together to create a large industry-wide event similar to UK Radio Aid from 2005. But the idea was dismissed by the UK's largest radio operator Global Radio saying it was "not appropriate". Since then no other group have come forward, until now.
And whilst this isn't a day of network broadcasting, or a UK Radio Aid 2, all stations involved will be pointing listeners to the same auction page, inserted into each local station's website.
The auction, an idea initiated by Rose Newdick, a receptionist and administrator at the groups station in Norfolk, KLFM, is being supported by celebrities and artists from across the music and showbiz sector and will be launched on Tuesday 2nd February, three weeks to the day after the devastating earthquake hit Haiti. It also has the official backing of the DEC itself which has welcomed the initiative.
William Rogers, Chief Executive of UKRD confirmed that the company has already obtained the lots for auction, created the web-site drop in pages and will provide and manage the auction software itself. In addition it will arrange for the collection of the monies donated through the auction of items and, if necessary, even provide the promotion elements for each station taking part, localised to its own TSA.
“This is about local radio stations coming together to deliver a locally focused appeal that will raise much needed funds for the DEC and give listeners the chance to bid on money can’t buy prizes,” said Mr Rogers.
“We are delighted that we have already received support from other local radio stations who have indicated that they would like to join us and we hope others will get in touch to take part,” he said.
“This is basically a turn-key solution and, subject to technical requirements, simply drops into a station web site resulting in the appeal having a distinctly local approach though referencing that others across the country are involved. All we need on top of that is the station promoting their own web site and the appeal itself to drive traffic to the link,” he confirmed.
Lots are already committed from Simon Cowell, the cast of Coronation Street and record companies including Sony, Polydor, Mercury and Island records. The auction is expected to run over three days from 2nd February.
“We are delighted to have received interest from Splash FM, Arrow and Sovereign FM, Bright FM, Fresh Radio and others,” said Rogers. “We would welcome others on board.”
Anyone who is interested in joining with UKRD and other local operators should contact Tom Probst tomprobst@ukrd.com and Dave Coull davecoull@ukrd.com, mentioning Radio Today.