Australian radio industry joins the World Radio Alliance

On the occasion of World Radio Day and at the initiative of egta, 14 trade associations in Australia, Europe, the USA, and Canada, are joining forces to form the World Radio Alliance.

This worldwide group of trade bodies representing radio companies and sales houses will widely promote and demonstrate the power and value of radio/audio in the media landscape by sharing best practices and speaking with a unified voice.

This cooperation across continents will underline the many strengths of radio, its unique marketing power and the media mix opportunities created by audio innovations in ad tech and data.

The founding members of the Alliance are Commercial Radio Australia, Radiocentre (UK), Radiozentrale(Germany), Audify (Netherlands), RAB (US), RadioMedia (Finland), Bureau de la Radio (France), VIA – Association of AV Media (Belgium), ACR – Associaciò Catalana de Ràdio (Spain), Radiocentre Ireland, FCP AssoRadio (Italy), Radio Connects (Canada), Association of Austrian Commercial Broadcasters (VÖP), and egta – International Association of TV & Radio Sales houses.

Lucy Barrett, Client Director at Radiocentre UK, will be the inaugural President and represent the Alliance towards external stakeholders, and steer the group’s activities.

Caroline Gianias, President of Radio Connects in Canada, will work in tandem with Lucy as Vice-President of the World Radio Alliance.

The group officially launched on 10 February – preceding World Radio Day on 13 February – with the release of a video compilation of advertisers from renowned brands highlighting the strengths of radio and audio.

Commenting on the World Radio Alliance, Lucy Barrett said the time is right to unify the world’s voices.

“I am honoured to be the first president of the newly formed World Radio Alliance. The time is absolutely right to join forces and speak with a collective voice,” said Barrett.

“Over the last decade we have seen the rise of more commercial audio formats such as music streaming services and podcasts, yet commercial radio’s dominance in the sector remains pretty much intact. But, as is so often the case in the world of media, expectations and perceptions relating to the growth of the new formats are disconnected from this reality. As the world has become smaller, with media decisions often taken across whole regions and continents, it’s crucial we come together to tell the success story of radio in a consistent and unified manner.”

“This unprecedented alliance of radio associations shows the willingness and need to put radio and audio in the spotlight. I’m proud that egta is one of the many trade bodies at the vanguard of this exciting initiative, highlighting the many strengths of our medium to advertisers, agencies and industry experts alike.”