GMG Radio Appoints MediaCom As Media Buyer

GMG Radio has appointed MediaCom to handle the media buying for its 13 stations across the UK.

GMG Radio said that following a four way pitch with incumbent agency Brilliant, phd and MediaEdge:CIA, MediaCom won the two-year contract after a presentation demonstrating their in-depth understanding of the key markets in which GMG stations broadcast, and in particular London.

The pitch process was overseen by GMG Radio commercial director Stuart Taylor and group marketing manager Helen Dickinson with the assistance of the AAR.

GMG Radio’s stations across the UK broadcast under the Smooth, Real, Century and Rock Radio brands and MediaCom – which has offices in London, Manchester and Edinburgh – will implement campaigns adopting a broad multi-media approach in 2008.

Managing partner and head of strategic solutions Sean Healy and managing partner Nigel Robinson led the successful pitch for MediaCom.

Taylor said: “The standard was incredibly high but we were particularly impressed by MediaCom’s knowledge of our marketplaces and some of the creative ways in which they will help us build our brands. Smooth Radio is breaking new ground in targeting the 40-59 year-old listener and reaching this market will be a key focus for activity in the coming year.

“We would like to thank the other agencies for their interest and in particular, Brilliant who have serviced GMG Radio’s media buying needs for a number of years.”

Nick Lawson, CEO of MediaCom, said: “This is a great win for MediaCom. It’s an immensely exciting account and we’re looking forward to helping GMG Radio achieve its ambitions and in particular to the challenge or building a successful profile for its Smooth network.”

GMG Radio is also staging a pitch for the creative account for its Smooth Radio brand, which represents six of its stations, and will hold a pitch for this in January 2008, with a decision expected at the end of that month.

GMG Radio: www.gmgradio.co.uk