Virgin improves offer to advertisers with changes to radio team

Virgin Radio has restructured its senior sales team in a move aimed at improving its advertising offer to clients and agencies. It is the latest change to the team made by sales director Nick Hewat, who joined the station from GCap Media late last year.

The changes will see deputy sales director Paul Carolan take over responsibility for all airtime sales at the station, including all agency deals and negotiations. He will also be responsible for developing the station’s spot advertising.

Virgin has also promoted Chris Goldson to business development manager for all non-spot activity, including sponsorship, promotions and new business. He will be responsible for building on the station’s bespoke advertising solutions.

Carolan and Goldson – who was previously business development manager for sponsorship and promotions – will report to Hewat, who says: “The adjusted roles play to both Paul’s and Chris’ strengths, and perfectly align our team to take advantage of the current market.”

The restructure follows the station’s decision to take its online sales in-house for the first time in a bid to maximise advertising across Virgin’s websites (MW February 9). Hewat appointed Rowan Link, who was previously at Yahoo! to head up the new online team.

Virgin has 1.3 million worldwide listeners over the internet.