Radio Industry Bodies to Merge

By Anonymous

The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) and Commercial Radio Companies Association (CRCA), the two trade bodies representing the commercial radio industry, are to merge to create a single body.

The decision follows a difficult few months for commercial radio, which has suffered from a weak ad market and loss of audience to the BBC. The as-yet-unnamed body will seek to drive revenue and attracting bigger audiences.

CRCA chief executive Paul Brown said: ‘The aim of creating a single commercial radio organisation is to grow our industry and strengthen theposition of its members.’

The body will also incorporate the Jicrit research programme, the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC) and Hit40UK music brand.

The trade body will represent the interests of the sector to external organisations including Ofcom.

Copyright Haymarket Business Publications Ltd. Feb 22, 2006