ASTRAL MEDIA LAUNCHES 'ASTRAL MEDIA RADIO SALES' Broadcaster IMS Radio has re-launched as Astral Media Radio Sales. The re-invention of Astral Media Radio's national sales division marks a new and exciting beginning for the business.
Astral Media Radio Sales, under the direction of Lesley Conway-Kelley, Executive Vice-President and General Manager, will bring together the tools, the strategy and Creative Services into one national sales organization that delivers ideas – not just air. The group aims to present focused, integrated solutions to their clients, beyond traditional airtime campaigns. With more imagination and more innovation, the group intends to change the approach to selling national radio in Canada.
"We are so thrilled to establish this new Astral Media Radio Sales vision as today's solution for today's needs" says Conway-Kelley. "We are committed to working with clients to solve their business needs. We're setting the bar high and finding new ways to utilize the products and services we offer."
The launch of Astral Media Radio Sales has meant a significant restructuring plan is set in place. Account representatives now service a National customer base, Research and Marketing becomes ever more prolific, and a new Creative Services Division is created.
The Creative Services Division within Astral Media Radio Sales under the direction of Murray Christenson, Vice President Creative Services, will include the Media Creativity department under the supervision of Melissa Morris, Director of National Promotions and Media Creativity. With enhanced focus on creativity and integrated brand and marketing solutions – Astral Media Radio Sales will look to marry clients' objectives with station initiatives at every possible occasion, utilizing a range of Astral Media Radio assets including on-air and online radio content, national promotions, special events and targeted programming.
"We're excited about pioneering this new kind of relationship with our clients and listeners" says Christenson. "With creative, meaningful and strategic concept development for our clients and partners – we're now able to build brand awareness for them with a comprehensive approach to their needs. It's a unique and revolutionary way to exceed their objectives and expectations."
In an effort to become more creative, service driven and performance-oriented with a focus on the "one client – one representative" philosophy, Lesley Conway-Kelley has appointed Joan Kaminski to Vice President National Sales. Kaminski's sales team will each grow their agency relationships to a National level by servicing their clients coast to coast, rather than through regional planning and split territories.
Radio Station-specific business analytics will be the priorities of both Dean Rutherford and Robert Montanaro. Dean Rutherford has been named Director of National Sales, Manager Toronto and Western Canada, while Robert Montanaro takes on the role of Sales Manager Eastern Canada. "Dean and Robert's focus will be on proactively servicing our station partners" says Kaminski. "We're proud to have such a smart and passionate group of account representatives, who are really looking forward to the transition to a 'one rep-one client' relationship. They're excited to dig deeper into the clients' objectives and brands from a truly national perspective. I really believe that by knowing each and every one of our agencies and clients on a meaningful one-on-one level and developing measurably successful plans for them, we are going to elevate the expectations of this entire industry."
Research and Marketing plays a key role in the new Astral Media Radio Sales. Under the supervision of Alicia Olson-Keating, General Manager Research and Marketing Services Astral Media Radio G.P., clients can expect the delivery of targeted and pertinent information to guide them through their planning decisions. "Astral Media has been a huge supporter of industry and proprietary research" says Olson-Keating "We have a resource-rich department with a focus on consumers, and the media's ability to deliver those consumers. We take pride in being an indispensable resource to our partners and are rewarded when we see measurable results for them." |