GMG Continues Expansion With Creation Of New Role
Stuart Taylor, currently commercial director of Guardian News and Media, is to take on the newly created role of commercial director of GMG Radio, whilst also becoming managing director of Smooth Radio in London.
Taylor will be responsible for commercial strategy across the division, with his focus on exploiting new opportunities on a range of different platforms – including analogue, digital and online – as well as the substantial future cross-promotional opportunities between GMG brands.
In addition to commercial director of GNM, Taylor is general manager of the Guardian. He joined the Observer in 1988 and has since held a number of senior positions within the company.
He has played a central role in GNM’s transition to multimedia publishing and in countless other initiatives, including the successful re-launch of the Guardian and the Observer in the Berliner format (see Guardian Hits Newsstands In Berliner Format).
The move comes at a time of rapid expansion at GMG Radio. Following the acquisition of the Century and Saga stations in 2006 (see Smooth Transition For New Radio Transmission), GMG Radio is said to be on course to become the UK’s third largest commercial radio group by listening hours by the end of 2007.
It now operates 11 radio stations under the Real Radio, Smooth Radio, Century fm and Rock Radio brands, with a further two to be launched within the next six months. Taylor’s appointment has led industry insiders to suggest that GMG could be eyeing up some of Chrysalis’ stations.
GMG Radio chief executive, John Myers, said: “This is a new senior position within GMG Radio to help us unlock the enormous opportunities we see across a variety of different commercial platforms.
“It needed someone of great experience and stature, and clearly we have found that person in Stuart. The combination of his unique skills across a number of platforms and the strengths of the existing team will mean we are very well placed to drive growth throughout the business.
“Julian Carter, our director of sales, will work closely with Stuart to ensure GMG Radio continues to buck the trend in commercial radio.”
Stuart Taylor added: “GMG Radio is an impressive group with ambitious goals and distinctive positioning. It also has a clear strategy for growth and development.
“I’m delighted to be joining the business at such an exciting moment in its history and look forward to working with John and the team.”
Last week the group appointed Mark Matthews to the new role of group head of presentation to provide support for its 13 Real, Smooth, Century FM and Rock Radio stations across the UK, working with the local programme directors on on-air content and presentation.
He will also work closely with group programme director John Simons on the launch of the company’s two new stations, Smooth Radio in the north east of England and Rock Radio in Manchester (see GMG Radio Gets New Group Head Of Presentation).
GMG Radio: 0113 307 1400 www.gmgradio.co.uk