Google UK MD to speak at Radio Festival

The Managing Director of Google in the UK, Matt Brittin, is the latest name to be confirmed for this year’s Radio Festival in Salford.

He will discuss the latest developments from Google and the role the internet can play at the heart of economic growth when he gives a keynote address at the event in the autumn.

Matt’s spent much of his career in media and marketing, with particular interests in strategy, commercial development and sales performance. He joined Google in 2007.

He said: “Radio is powerful, intimate, emotionally engaging and highly creative, and it still plays a huge part in today’s media landscape. The internet has allowed developments such as ‘listen again’ and provides opportunities for increasing interactivity with listeners. The Radio Festival is a great opportunity to debate future developments and ways in which businesses can reach their full potential. I am delighted to be attending.”

John Myers, Chief Executive of The Radio Academy, added: “Google is one of the world’s biggest businesses. It is really exciting to have Matt confirmed as a keynote speaker. The way radio uses the internet is critical to its future and who better to set the landscape than the UK boss of the world’s biggest internet company.”

Like last year, the 2011 Radio Festival is taking place at The Lowry on Salford Quays which overlooks the BBC’s new Northern home at MediaCityUK. Other big names already announced for the event – which runs from 31 October to 2 November – include Z100’s Elvis Duran, Radio 2’s Bob Harris, and BBC Director General Mark Thompson.