Fusion Radio Sales To Merge Into First Radio Sales

Fusion Radio sales is set to transfer all of its operations to First Radio Sales, formerly Clear Channel Radio Sales, from the end of this month.

The move is likely to be seen as a precursor to the consolidation expected across the industry when the Communications Bill relaxes the radio ownership regulations later this year (see Government Confirms Relaxation Of Radio Ownership Rules).

Fusion is the sales arm of the Fusion Radio Group, which owns 107.9 Fusion FM, Fusion in Oxford and Kick FM in Berkshire. It also handles sales for 30 local radio stations across the UK.

The merger will take First Radio’s portfolio to over 80 local commercial radio stations and will see Fusion’s staff move into First’s new offices on Regent Street in London. No redundancies are expected as a result of the transfer.

Fusion’s head of national sales, Stephen Allen, will temporarily move to First to oversee the merger and to ensure continuity for clients and agencies. It is also understood that Allen will work to bring the Fusion stations in line with the J-ET electronic trading system (see J-ET Trading System Welcomed As Ground-Breaking).

Guardian Media Group (GMG) sold Clear Channel Radio Sales (CCRS) to Radio Investments last year after moving Jazz FM’s sales operation from CCRS to Chrysalis (see Chrysalis To Represent All GMG Stations). GMG acquired CCRS last November for an undisclosed sum (see GMG Set To Consolidate Radio Ad Sales)

First Radio Sales: 020 7297 2009

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