Why you can’t afford to miss Tuning In 2023
Opinion: Partner content
Audio is not just radio and we have to reflect that. Tuning In will be a mirror to all elements of audio we represent, writes Radiocentre’s client director.
Around three quarters of all adults in the UK now listen to commercial audio each week, that’s more than ever before. On top of this huge audience, excitement around the medium is running sky-high because of the rapid pace of change that’s transforming the sector.
In two weeks’ time, the industry will gather for Tuning In 2023. Radiocentre’s annual conference always strives to showcase original, thought-provoking and interesting content that changes the debate and challenges the audience to reappraise radio. If you didn’t know, our mantra at Radiocentre is “See Radio Differently”.
Taking place on the morning of 26 September at Picturehouse Central and hosted by Kiss presenter Tyler West, we have another great line up for this year’s conference.
Radio’s not just an exciting place for listeners, it’s also a platform for stand-out creative advertising that drives real business results. This year we’ll hear from Orlando Wood, System1’s renowned chief innovation officer, Andrew Tindall, System1’s creative & media partnership director, and Donna Burns, Radiocentre’s head of insight.
They will take to the stage to unveil exciting new research that uncovers the defining role of emotion in audio advertising effectiveness. I can’t reveal much more as the project is under embargo until the conference, but I can say that it will be something brand new and extremely exciting for audio advertisers, giving them confidence to invest more in the medium.
As the AI “will it/won’t it” and “should we fear/love it” debates rage on, we thought we would shine a light on how it’s improving audio advertising. Global’s director of group strategy Mark Hatwell and DAX strategy director Faye McDowall will take to the stage to explore how AI is helping Global make smart speaker targeting… smart.
Everyone is feeling the pinch. The cost-of-living crisis is changing consumer behaviour and sentiment in many different ways. We have a session from Saatchi & Saatchi’s managing partner Alice Flanagan and MeetThe85’s founder Mark Hadfield on their joint research What the F***k is Going On. Launched this year, this report was a comprehensive look at how British consumers are really feeling and how advertisers should respond, and they will be presenting the role that radio has to play in the current climate.
Our members have evolved and we should too. As commercial radio edges into its 50th anniversary in October we have used this year as an opportunity to look forward and evaluate what we do as an organisation. Most specifically, we have expanded our purview so that we now represent all digital audio created by our members. Audio is not just radio and we have to reflect that. And Tuning In will be a mirror to all elements of audio we represent.
So with that in mind we have a great session from Global’s talent. Presenters Lewis Goodall (LBC, The News Agents podcast), Myleene Klass (Smooth, Classic FM) and Anna Whitehouse (Heart, Dirty MotherPukka podcast) will discuss bringing their audio expertise, trust and authenticity to passionate podcasts — with vast commercial appeal — that devoted listeners welcome with open ears.
One of the industry’s best success stories is Absolute Radio. Since it launched it has constantly offered listeners, and advertisers something new through innovative brand extensions and advertising partnerships. Celebrating 15 years of Absolute Radio, Dave Berry and Frank Skinner will talk with journalist and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer, sharing some of the secrets of the station’s success and their personal highlights, as well as looking to the future.
The event will be the first opportunity for the industry to hear from Bauer Media Audio UK’s new CEO, Simon Myciunka, who will be talking about his first few months in the role. Simon brings a fresh perspective to the UK coming from a different market and his session will give the audience an idea of both his style of leadership and his plans for Bauer.
The conference will feature an address by Radiocentre’s CEO Matt Payton who will set the scene, reflecting on an important year and some milestone moments for the industry. In 2022, radio advertising revenues hit their highest ever levels at £740m. Meanwhile, the latest Rajar figures for the second quarter of 2023 show radio reaching its biggest ever audience at 39.2 million listeners.
To secure your place, sign up now at radiocentre.org.
Lucy Barrett is client director of Radiocentre