GCap Media plans content forum to boost digital radio ad revenue

GCap Media, owner of the Capital Radio group, Classic FM and 54 local radio stations, is calling for the radio industry to unite in an effort to increase radio’s share of advertising revenue to ten per cent and to boost the reach and revenue of digital radio.

Gavin Miller, the outgoing commercial marketing director of Capital Radio Group, says that GCap is already talking to advertisers about providing new content.

GCap, which held a forum with advertisers to discuss digital radio content earlier this year, says the industry needs to work with advertisers and media agencies to develop more innovative forms of advertising if radio is to hit its target of becoming a “ten per cent medium” by 2010.

It is also calling for a content forum to be set up for clients and radio groups to develop programming and content.

GCap, formed following the merger of Capital Radio Group and GWR Group earlier this month, is keen to develop digital radio. But Miller says it is time for action, as radio will not find the extra growth it needs through traditional advertising routes.

He says: “Unless there is a rise in prices, radio groups will have to develop incremental revenue through other routes, which is why we want to create a content forum.”

GCap will start talking to advertisers and media agencies in the next two weeks about the best way to set up the forum, which is likely to work closely with the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB).

The RAB is already working closely with radio groups on content and programming to help radio raise its share of revenue (MW April 14).