New training manager for Bauer Radio Sales

A former Radio City and Magic 105.4 sales exec is re-joining the stations’ parent company Bauer Media to lead the training of commercial staff.

Hilary Pickering will take up the role of Training and Development Manager for the Bauer Radio Sales Academy from the end of this month.

She will be based at Radio City in Liverpool and reports to the Managing Director of Wave 105, Martin Ball.

Martin said: “With Hilary, we have an accomplished trainer and radio sales person and her appointment is the first critical step in a the creation of the Bauer Radio Sales Academy. The Academy will act as the holistic brand for the training, development, recruitment and retention of Bauer Radio sales people. Hilary will be responsible for designing and delivering exceptional sales training programmes to all levels of the commercial teams currently working in Bauer’s market-leading local stations. She will also play a key role in the induction and development of new and existing sales people, as well as working closely with our station Sales Directors in driving and motivating the sales staff to exceed their goals and expectations.”

Hilary joined Emap Radio’s Graduate Trainee Programme in 1994 and spent 13 years at Radio City and Magic 105.4, becoming the first sales person in the group to deliver £1m revenue in a year. More recently she has spent 5 years as a cross-industry commercial trainer.

Dee Ford, Group Managing Director, Bauer Radio commented: “The launch of the Bauer Radio Sales Academy is a great step in proving our commitment to investing in people. Through Hilary’s input, we’re confident that the higher quality output and deliverables from our local sales teams to our clients will positively impact on our revenue and share. With initiatives like the Sales Academy, Bauer is quickly carving out a reputation as a destination employer in the media industry.

“The Bauer Radio Sales Academy will also shortly identify and recruit fresh talent to help shape our future by creating dedicated graduate trainee roles. The selection process is to begin shortly and these will be the first people to attend the Academy, benefitting from an extensive seven week programme commencing in the summer.”

Hilary told RadioToday.co.uk she was thrilled to be returning to our industry and to Bauer. “I aim to work hard with the teams to fully understand their needs and aspirations,” she said. “As an experienced radio sales person I can empathise with the highs but also the challenges the job presents and since stepping away from radio I have helped sales people with their development across a range of different industries. I can’t wait to be back working with energised and innovative radio sales people, selling exciting creative solutions to our clients.”