Mellor to speak at RAB 20th birthday do

The minister responsible for radio in the early 90s, David Mellor, is to give a keynote speech at a major event in May to mark the 20th anniversary of the Radio Advertising Bureau.

We’re told that Mellor – now a presenter for LBC 97.3 – will compare the media landscape in 1992 with today and explore ‘why radio has endured in the internet age’.

There will be other presentations from industry figureheads at the invite-only event at the British Museum in London on 23rd May – and also sees the launch of two new RAB initiaties to help advertisers, media agencies and creatives get more from radio.

The RAB specialises in research to demonstrate radio’s effect within the media mix and has tools to measure effectiveness of campaigns for individual advertisers.

Simon Redican, Managing Director of the RAB, said: “With record audiences, revenues booming and technical advances like RadioPlayer, it’s a great time to celebrate 20 years of radio innovation and honour the rich heritage of the RAB. The two new major customer initiatives that we will launch at the event are in the very best traditions of the RAB.”

The RAB was launched in May 1992 with the remit of championing the use of radio as an advertising platform, as part of the cross-industry initiative with UK commercial radio. The founding board consisted Neil Robinson (Metro Radio Group), Richard Eyre (Capital), Tim Schoonmaker (EMAP), Jimmy Gordon (Scottish Radio), David Bagley (Midlands Radio) and Rory McLeod (Southern Radio).