The UK's largest commercial radio group Global Radio has teamed up with News International in an unprecedented 'long-term partnership".
Starting today, the deal will see radio stations such as Capital, Classic FM and LBC 97.3 work with The Sun, Times and Sunday Times on a range of 'sponsorship campaigns, interactive promotions and special features".
The partnership will include the following, it was announced today:
- Capital Breakfast will partner with The Sun
- Classic FM's More Music Breakfast will be presented in partnership with The Times and The Sunday Times
- Heart's Club Classics on Friday evenings with The Sun and Fabulous Magazine
- LBC 97.3 will run special features, news round-ups and advertorials with The Times and The Sunday Times
- The Big Top 40, the cart show syndicated across various stations UK-wide on Sunday afternoons, will feature Sun advertorial features.
News International said in a statement: 'This is the first time that either company has embarked on a media owner partnership of this scale.
'The sponsorship deal gives News International the opportunity to speak to a large number of Global Radio's audience from varied demographics that align perfectly alongside its own brands.
'The partnership was devised and brokered by Fleur Stoppani and Tom Balaam at Mindshare and Donna McCallum at Global Radio and will be managed by media partnership specialist TPF – The Promotions Factory."
Global Radio managing director Mike Gordon said: 'News International has some of the most recognised newspaper titles in the UK and beyond, so naturally we're thrilled to announce this partnership. This is the first time that Global Radio and News International have joined forces on such a scale to reinforce their respective positions as the largest commercial radio group and the leading newspaper publisher in the UK."
Chief marketing officer of News International Katie Vanneck-Smith said: 'We are delighted to announce this ground-breaking agreement with Global. Their powerful portfolio of station brands represents a perfect fit for our titles and offers us the flexibility to communicate our range of marketing and content messages on a daily basis.
'They are a like-minded company and we look forward to working closely with the Capital, Classic, Heart and LBC teams to create a truly multi-media partnership with content at its very heart.'
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