TalkSport reviews media business

by Media Week Media Week 06-Feb-07

TalkSport is reviewing its media planning and buying account, which is currently held by Just Media.

The radio station's media business was previously handled by Carat, but moved to Aegis stablemate Just Media over a year ago.

TalkSport's business development director Calum Macaulay is handling the current review.

TalkSport spent just under £1m on marketing in 2006, according to Nielsen Media Research. Its marketing spend is concentrated on major sports events and includes trade and consumer-focused activity.

The station said it spent about £1.5m on marketing surrounding last year's World Cup and that its next major spend will coincide with the Uefa 2008 European Football Championships, which are being held in Austria and Switzerland.

Last October, TalkSport won the rights to broadcast live Premiership football games after it success- fully bid at an auction held by the Premier League.

The contract includes exclusive live commentary rights to 32 games on Saturdays at 3pm for three years from the start of the next season.

TalkSport, which is owned by UTV, declined to comment on the review.