GMG Radio appoints new commercial director

Guardian Media Group Radio has appointed Jonathan Gillespie to the role of commercial director. He joins from Google UK where he has been head of YouTube and display for the past year.

Gillespie will replace Stuart Taylor when he takes up the role of chief executive in April following the departure of John Myers who is stepping down after 10 years.

He has previously worked as head of radio and head of sponsorship and branded content at OMD UK and as a director at Opera Media.

Gillespie will steer commercial activity for the group’s entire portfolio including the Smooth, Real, Century and Rock radio stations.

The group recently announced it is renaming its two Century Radio stations as Real Radio. The name change will see six stations come under one unified brand.

On-air, the move from Century to Real will happen gradually while a marketing campaign is planned to communicate the new name to listeners in the spring. The on-air content and music will remain unchanged on both stations.