Jazz FM reviews £2m ad business

Jazz FM is reviewing its £2m advertising business, held by WARL
Change Behaviour, following its sale to Guardian Media Group for £44m
in June (MW June 6).

Jazz FM is reviewing its &£2m advertising business, held by WARL Change Behaviour, following its sale to Guardian Media Group for &£44m in June (MW June 6).

The radio station is planning a relaunch early next year, which will see new advertising backed by a &£2m media spend. The review is being overseen by Jazz FM head of marketing Nicola Thomson, who has shortlisted WARL Change Behaviour as well as Soul, Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw and Finex.

The station is considering ditching the long-running chameleon campaign, which was introduced by the station’s former chief executive Richard Wheatly five years ago. Thomson, who will appoint a new agency early next year, says no decision has been taken to stop using the chameleon.

The news coincides with the announcement that Jazz FM’s owner, Guardian Media Group (GMG), has moved the station’s &£15m sales contract to Chrysalis Radio Sales, from Clear Channel Radio Sales (CCRS). Chrysalis will handle the national sales for all five GMG-owned stations, which also include the Real Radio brand.

GMG has also sold CCRS, which it acquired at the start of November (MW November 7) to Radio Investments Limited (RIL). GMG has a 39 per cent stake in RIL.

Jazz FM’s local sales and its sponsorship and promotions will now be moved in-house. The CCRS regional team in Manchester will remain in place, but the London office will be renamed Radio Sales Investments and will be moved to new premises.