Emap Boosts Big City With Senior Management Changes

Emap Performance has announced a range of senior management changes across its Big City network of radio stations, in an attempt to boost listening.

Tom Hunter, who is currently managing director of Key 103 and Magic 1152 in Manchester, will return to Liverpool as managing director Radio City and Magic 1548. He will replace the current managing director, Sean Marley, who is leaving to take up the post of commercial director at Mersey Television.

Hunter previously worked as managing director of Radio City in 1997 and has been managing director at Key 103 since October 2002.

Commenting on his appointment, Hunter said: “I have a real passion for the city and its people. I’m delighted at the chance to return to Radio City as Liverpool moves into one of the most exciting periods in its history. I am looking forward to renewing acquaintances in the business community and helping to take the station forward into a new era.”

Hunter will be replaced in Manchester by Gus Mackenzie, who is currently managing director of Hallam FM and Magic AM in Sheffield. Mackenzie joined Emap from Wave 103 and 96.3 QFM in 2001. He: “Manchester is one of the country’s most exciting and vibrant cities and I am excited at the prospect of making friends in the commercial, business and social community.”

The new managing director of Hallam FM will be Iain Clasper, currently managing director of Juice in Liverpool.

The latest RAJAR listening figures for the three months to September 2003 show that the Big City Network (excluding London) saw its weekly reach decline by 4.7% year on year to 3,282,000, down from 3,445,000 in the same period the previous year.

Emap has been readying itself for the launch of Capital 95.8 FM’s new breakfast show and recently signed Kiss 100 breakfast host Bam Bam for a further three years (see Emap Gears Up For Breakfast Battle With Capital)

Emap: 01733 568 900 www.emap.co.uk

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