Alban moots move into radio buying

Alban Communications, owner of poster specialist Concord, is considering setting up a specialist radio buying unit following its appointment of a business development director.

Simon Halden, ex-sales and marketing director for Maiden Outdoor and Metro Traffic Control (the former traffic update service for commercial radio), has joined Alban with a brief to expand its activities – both into other media and abroad.

Halden believes a radio buying unit makes most sense. “Radio is a fairly obvious route because there are some fundamental synergies with outdoor. There are 200 poster contractors and 200 commercial radio stations. It is one of a number of opportunities,” he says.

The company is also looking to move into event sponsorship and to take advantage of other out-of-home advertising opportunities.

Alban Communications also owns poster specialists Outdoor Focus and Outdoor Connection.

The poster specialist is committed to expanding its poster buying into Europe, Halden says. Until now Alban’s international business has been handled on an ad hoc basis with agency partners overseas.

The group wants to set up operating companies in the main European markets to handle international poster campaigns for clients such as Unilever, Nestl and Allied Domecq.

Alban Communications also owns poster specialists Outdoor Focus and Outdoor Connection.