Frank sponsors urban music chart

Frank, the national drugs information and advice service, is to be the official sponsor of the networked urban and dance chart Fresh 40.

The new chart, presented by Dynamite C, will broadcast on commercial radio from October 22.

The nine-month sponsorship was negotiated by Starcom , part of Starcom UK, and GCap Media. Starcom won the Frank contract following a pitch, managed by the COI, in July this year.

Fresh 40, a three-hour show broadcast on Sunday evenings, will be compiled from airplay and will broadcast across 12 youth radio brands, including the Galaxy and Kiss networks, on analogue and digital radio. The centrepiece of the show, the Top 10 Throwdown, will be free of adverts.

Frank will also have a web presence on www.fresh40.co.uk and extend into live events, including Fresh 40 Frank Club Nights, music download compilations and mobile phone WAP sites.

Fresh40 will be the third chart under the hit40uk umbrella to be launched. The hit40uk show is broadcast on 114 commercial radio stations and a chart aimed at older listeners with mainstream tracks, The A-List, runs across 64 adult contemporary stations.

Plans to launch the chart were unveiled in September 2005 to help commercial radio stem the rising popularity of BBC stations and boost sponsorship revenue.