EMAP Radio establishes one-stop sponsors unit

EMAP Radio has set up a London-based sponsorship and promotions team to deal with agencies and advertisers using any of its radio stations in the North-West, London, Leeds and Cardiff.

Already, the unit has struck its first deal with Sky Television, which has booked a weekend promotion across six FM stations.

The team, based at Kiss 100 in north London, offers advertisers a single point of contact for Piccadilly Radio in Manchester, Red Rose Radio in Preston, Radio Aire in Leeds and Red Dragon Radio in Cardiff as well as Kiss 100, EMAP Radio managing director Tim Schoonmaker explains.

“We know there are customers keen for one-point contact across all the stations,” he says. “We can also offer the involvement of EMAP Radio programme director Mark Story right at the beginning of negotiations.”

A programme-led approach to sponsorship and promotions is becoming increasingly important as the broadcast sponsorship market matures, he says. “Advertisers now recognise the importance of bespoke packages.”

The sponsorship team are Karen Slatter and James Campling, who will work closely with Kiss 100 sales director Gordon Drummond.

Slatter joins from Red Dragon Radio where she was sponsorship and promotions manager. Campling joins from Media Sales & Marketing, the Capital Radio-owned sales houses, where he was senior sponsorship and promotions executive.

The unit will also offer sponsorship and promotions involving Radio City, Merseyside, in which EMAP holds a 50 per cent stake.