GMG puts Smooth account out to pitch
GMG Radio has appointed an intermediary to handle a review of its Smooth Radio account currently held by Manchester-based Clear Marketing Communications.
The AAR will manage a \"competitive\" pitch for the Smooth account early in the New Year, with the incumbent Clear Marketing invited to re-pitch. Clear will retain the accounts for GMG’s Real and Century FM stations.
The move comes as GMG Radio prepares to significantly increase the marketing budget for the Smooth Radio Brand, which launched in March this year.
The latest development follows GMG’s announcement in August that it was to conduct a review of its media buying account for all 13 of its Smooth, Real, Century and Rock Radio stations. With AAR again managing the pitch, an agency shortlist has been put together and a decision is now expected before Christmas.
GMG Radio Group commercial director, Stuart Taylor, said: “As we plan to increase our marketing spend on Smooth significantly over the next couple of years and in particular across London we want to ensure we have the right creative marketing message that provides us with the most powerful proposition for the brand.”