A new radio sales house is set for launch in the new year,
following Clear Channel’s acquisition of Katz Radio Sales.
Roger Parry, chief executive of Clear Channel Communications confirmed
this week that Katz will join Clear Channel’s existing sales team at
Golden Square and operate under one roof at the start of next year. He
also refuted rumours regarding massive staff changes from junior sales
to management level.
’We are not like a French company who buys in and then fires
management.
There have been absolutely no decisions taken yet regarding the future
of Katz sales staff, I haven’t even met them yet,’ Parry said. ’The
first step is for me to visit Katz and hear what they have to say. What
is for certain is that the bringing together of these two companies will
have a significant impact on the UK radio marketplace.’
US giant Clear Channel Communications, which owns outdoor contractor
More Group, last week bought the entire AMFM group, which owns Katz, in
a deal worth pounds 14.2 billion. The newly combined company will now
own 830 stations, over 425,000 billboards and over half a dozen TV
stations.
The UK-based sales house, Katz Radio Sales, has a 12 per cent share of
all commercial radio hours in comparison with Jazz FM’s 1 per cent.
It will bring over 80 stations to the group, including Choice FM and
Essex Radio Group. Katz is now pitching for the new analogue regional
Scottish licence and Katz’s Choice FM won the new local North London
licence.
Clear Channel - which is set on building a massive radio business in the
UK - is already bidding for new analogue and digital licences as well as
looking for contracts with additional radio stations.
Clear Channel is already bidding for the second London digital multiplex
as part of a consortium with Talk Radio and Virgin.
David Goffin, commercial director of Katz UK said ’ It’s a significant
move for Katz and everyone here is excited about joining Clear
Channel.
It’s good for our team as well as the radio buyers. We have moved from
being an independent radio sales house with 80-odd stations as clients
to becoming part of a company that has the power to buy stations of its
own.’
