RAB appoints Executive Chairman

The Radio Advertising Bureau, the trade marketing body for Commercial Radio, has announced the appointment of Linda Smith to the newly created role of Executive Chairman.

Smith, whose most recent role was Chief Executive of StarCom MediaVest, takes up the role with immediate effect.

She will report to RadioCentre Chief Executive, Andrew Harrison. Her primary role will be to help drive radio’s profile with advertisers and agencies.

Andrew Harrison, Chief Executive of RadioCentre: “I’m absolutely delighted that Linda is joining the organisation; she has a proven track record and her knowledge and experience across the radio and media world will be of huge benefit to the RAB - I have no doubt she will be a great addition to the team.”

Said Smith: “I’m really excited to be joining the RAB - radio continues to be a fascinating, engaging and hugely effective medium that enables advertisers to get their marketing messages out to over 31 million listeners a week. Commercial Radio finished 2009 on a positive note with revenue growth up 7 per cent and we are looking to build on this throughout 2010.”

Smith started her career at ITV as Sales Manager where she stayed for almost a decade. She joined Capital Radio as Commercial Marketing Director before moving to D’Arcy MediaVest as Commercial Director. She then returned to Capital Radio to the position of Commercial Director, a post she held for over five years before being appointed CEO of StarCom MediaVest Group UK.

Since leaving StarCom MediaVest in 2008, Smith has been an independent consultant to the media industry.