Radio sector hoping for new radio-only lobbying group by September

With the Radio Marketing Bureau (RMB) closing its doors at the end of August and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) set to shut down next month, the radio sector hopes to find itself with a new lobby group by September, says Gary Belgrave, president of the RMB. “This is going to be a different kind of association,” Belgrave told The Wire Report. “Our association only did sales and marketing activity. The CAB only did legislative and regulatory activity, but this new association is going to do both.” The RMB announced Tuesday that it would cease operations by Aug. 31, 2010, after nearly 50 years of existence, in anticipation of a new radio-only lobby group. The RMB represents more than 400 radio stations across Canada on issues related to sales and marketing. Belgrave said it “would be ideal” if the new association can spring up by Sept. 1. The RMB said in a release this week that industry executives are now working together to develop a framework for the new association. The name Canadian Association of Radio Broadcasters is circulating as a potential new moniker for the group. Susan Wheeler, vice-president of regulatory affairs with Rogers Media, a member of both the RMB and the CAB, said she is not so confident that a new radio association could form quickly. “I think that is a natural point of discussion when a collective association like the CAB and the RMB wind down,” Wheeler told The Wire Report. “There may be some players who wish to preserve that collective voice. But as far as we know, there are no firm plans in place for such an organization.” Elmer Hildebrand, who sits on the boards of the CAB and the RMB, said relevant players are still in the very early stages of discussion. “At this point we don’t know exactly how it will all unfold,” he told The Wire Report. “We’re working on the premise that at the end of the day we’ll come out with something that is useful.” Belgrave said that the radio sector was often overshadowed by television at the CAB. He referred particularly to the divisive value-for-signal fight between broadcasters and distributors. “As you know, there are so many issues related to TV recently, with fee-for-carriage and everything else, that it was just taking the entire agenda, and little time was being spent talking about radio issues,” he said. “This way, with an association focused solely on radio, it doesn’t have any of the issues from TV to deal with. It will be a much more focused and better opportunity for the radio industry.” But it doesn’t appear that all parties agree on the way forward. Wheeler said a new, formal association representing the radio sector may not be necessary. “If we can get together on certain initiatives without the formal infrastructure of an association, the devil is always in the details on how you administer that, and how you ensure that you’re really representative of who you say you’re representative of,” she said. But she said a formal association would be useful if it is properly administered. “Rogers is of the view that there is strength in numbers, and that collective voice is effective to our advertising clients and to decision makers in Ottawa.” jmigneault@thewirereport.ca

Radio sector hoping for new radio-only lobbying group by September

Broadcast | May 20, 2010

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