GCap to handle GMG's radio airtime

by Sarah Crawley-Boevey , Media Week 29-Oct-07, 09:55

LONDON - GMG Radio has placed its national airtime sales contract with GCap Media, as predicted in last week's Media Week.

The Guardian Media Group division terminated its contract with Global Radio after the two companies reportedly fell out over new conditions. Following that move GMG Radio was widely expected to place its entire ad sales functions with GCap.

However, GMG is retaining sponsorship and promotions activity for all brands, including Smooth, Rock and Real, taking it in-house effective January 1. Local sales for London’s Smooth, and regional sales for the Century brand will also go in-house while the three members of the Smooth Radio sales team who were based at Global’s head office will now work out of GCap’s Leicester Square HQ.

GCap already manages national sales for GMG’s two Century FM stations which it sold to the private company in October last year, with the stipulation it retained the sales deal.

John Myers, chief executive of GMG Radio, said he felt GCap would “give us greater presence in the market place”.