Radio, golf ... and Royal Porthcawl bacon butties

Ever fancied dipping a toe into local radio advertising?
Well, South Wales' new kid on the broadcasting block is offering an innovative trial run opportunity.
It features an ad package, membership of a new business club, online presence, a round of golf and a lively networking session.
South Wales Radio account manager Matthew Anderson revealed all when we sat down for a cuppa in the Uplands Diner, Swansea.
His offer applies to all the local and regional stations in the group -  Bay Radio (covering Swansea Bay), Scarlet FM (Llanelli), Radio Carmarthenshire, Bridge FM (Bridgend), Radio Pembrokeshire, Radio Ceredigion and Nation (South Wales).
He said that for £450 each business will get 50 half-minute ads shared between one or two stations. You'll also be a launch member of the Swansea Wales Radio Business Club which he'd like to develop strongly through 2010 with offers and gatherings.
The deal includes a rather attractive event at the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club on Tuesday, November 9. There's coffee and bacon rolls to start, a shotgun start for the four-man teams, 18 holes, dinner in the clubhouse then a presentation and auction/raffle with charity and celebrity hooks.
It's a pleasurable way for Matthew to attract some new business - and it sounds like an effective way for golfers to network and gain radio exposure.
I'll be preparing a brief today for Effective Communication clients but if you'd like more info just give me a shout.
Matthew, by the way, was previously seen on the South Wales media circuit as an account manager with Swansea Bay Business Life. I get the impression he's relishing the new challenge.

South Wales Radio group. Monthly reach stats include: Bay - 55,000, Bridge - 48,000, Nation - 143,000

Radio bosses club together for South Wales business

Good news from Town and Country Broadcasting, whose portfolio includes Bay Radio, Scarlet FM, Radio Carmarthenshire and Nation Radio.
As part of their evolving commercial scene they're about to launch a business club.
Its membership features will include on-air and online promotional offerings with this young company whose reach stretches across South Wales with around 330,000 listeners every month. They have an interesting mix of demographic markets, including the young rock lovers who enjoy Nation to the West Walian audience of Radio Ceredigion.
Its Swansea Bay presence is a strong alternative to the more established Wave and Swansea Sound and offers a greater listenership than community stations such as Radio Tircoed and Afan FM.
The South Wales Radio 2010 Business Club is due to tee off in November, with a golfing-themed event.
I'm due to meet Town and Country account manager Matthew Anderson this week so will report fully on his proposals after that coffee.

July 9's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Social Media Twitter #Swansea
06.00am - DaveTencin RT @WAFC_headlines: Jones staying with Wigan despite Swansea rumours - Wigan http://aggbot.com/docs/link.php?id=10031569&r=tw&c=54
02.36am - MAILfootball Coleman set for Swansea, Coventry eye King and Doncaster want Keogh http://bit.ly/9EuRuY
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Broadcast Scarlet FM 97.5fm Click
News - A new bowling alley could soon be built in Carmarthen thanks to an £800,000 funding boost agreed by the Big Lottery Fund and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Morning Show - Presenter Tommo greets Scarlets commercial chief Rupert Moon looking forward to the region's week ahead and to the July 19 season tickets launch.
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Online Western Mail Click
News - Hundreds of temporary jobs within the Assembly Government and quangos are being axed to save money in the current financial year, we can reveal. Click
Sport - Journalists Jon Doel, Simon Roberts and Andy Howell debate which Welsh players need a big season to make the World Cup. Chat about Gavin Henson, Dwayne Peel, Tom Shanklin. Click
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Links Twitter | Website
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July 2's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Print Llanelli Star Click
News - Ammanford firm TRJ has been awarded the contract to build Llanelli's £14.6m theatre complex, featuring main and smallers auditoriums, teaching rooms, social enterprise facilities, bar, cafe and admin areas.
Commercial - Full page ad for Swansea's Ebony Sofas and Dining; bosses plan a store refurb.
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Broadcast Scarlet FM 97.5fm Click
News - Network Rail are being criticised by Amman Valley politician Kevin Madge for failing to repair part of a faulty level crossing in Garnant.
Events - Tomorrow (Saturday) brings the 65th anniversary Pembrey and Burry Port Summer Carnival, with air displays, rides and competitions. Click
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Online Western Mail Click
News - Salesman John Jones is celebrating after cornering the Prince of Wales and winning royal backing for small Llandysul firm Teifi Harps. Click
Web drama - New and innovative! The Western Mail's internet service WalesOnline has launched a drama series.  Mini-series Pizzaman is from film fans Teilo Trimble and James Robson; it follows the trials and tribulations of a South Wales fastfood deliveryman. Click
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Links Twitter | Website
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May 13's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Print South Wales Evening Post Click
Editorial - A Swansea mum has died in a Libyan plane crash which claimed the lives of more than 100 people.
Commercial – Well done to Swansea's Diamond Holidays for the day's most eyecatching Evening Post ad, a British-themed full-page guide to summer coach trips.
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Online South Wales Guardian Click
Editorial - Ammanford Post Office has reopened following its shock closure last Thursday. The Guardian understands the doors were closed following reports of financial discrepancies in the. Click
Commercial – May 20 is due to see the big opening of Ammanford's new Lidl and the chain is rightly using the Guardian to get its messages out. Its home page banner ads have great impact.
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Broadcast Scarlet FM Click
Key local story - Museums across Carmarthenshire are to benefit from a £36,000 boost. The help was announced by Assembly heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones. Click
You heard it here - The official audience of Scarlet FM and sister station Radio Carmarthenshire has risen. Industry body Rajar says the stations now attract more than 40,000 listeners a weeks - up 4,500.
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Community Afan FM Click
Online news (BBC feed)- First lady: A short profile of Cheryl Gillan, the first female Welsh Secretary. Click
Online sport (BBC feed) - Cardiff City: The Bluebirds advanced to the Championship play-off final against Blackpool at Wembley after a penalty shoot-out win over Leicester City. Click
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Links Twitter | Website
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Election Day's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Print South Wales Evening Post Click
Election Lead - It's D-Day for politicians across the country as the race for Westminster reaches its final lap. "However you vote today: Vote!"
Something different - Eleven Swansea City fans accused of violent or threatening behaviour in relation to November's Cardiff City game walked out of court after their case was discharged.
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Print Western Mail Click
Election Lead - Comment: "Today, you chart the course for a generation. Not for decades have you been so powerful."
Something different - Acting legend Sir Anthony Hopkins is to be honoured for helping a Los Angeles homeless charity, in work partly inspired by his own successful battle against alcoholism. Click
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Broadcast Bay Radio Click
Election Lead - 8am: David Cameron is set to be the first main party leader to cast his vote around now, in his Oxfordshire constituency of Olney.
Something different - A man appeared at Swansea Magistrates Court yesterday following the alleged stabbing of a woman in Fforestfach.
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Broadcast The Wave Click
Election Lead - 7am: Polling stations are opening now in the closest General Election for decades.
Something different - Internet crime is getting worse and protective measures need to be taken, especially by business, according to South Wales Police. Click
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Links Twitter | Website
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April 22's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Print South Wales Evening Post Click
Editorial - Police are treating the death of a 29-year-old Swansea woman as "unexplained."
Opinion - Someone with the talent of rugby star James Hook should not be treated as a jack of all trades; the Ospreys are pushing him to be an inside centre but Wales have played him in three other positions.
Commercial – A two-page advertising feature flags up this weekend's ambitious first Gorseinon Food Festival. Those involved include Simon Wright, of Nantgaredig's superb Y Polyn Restaurant, Sian Day's new Kids Cooking Academy and Millie’s Market from Shirley Price.
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Online South Wales Guardian Click
Editorial - Pub giant JD Wetherspoon has confirmed it is looking into the possibility of moving into Ammanford. Click
Commercial – The Guardian has hooked up with FindMeTV to offer a spiffing service to dig out all those small screen shows you missed but are now available as an online catch-up. Media Master's hunt for BBC4 documentary strangely compulsive series The Beauty of Maps on iPlayer quickly came up trumps. Click
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Broadcast Scarlet FM Click
Key local story - Carmarthen police would like to talk to a man in connection with the theft of necklaces worth more than £4,000 from the town's market. Click
You heard it here - Tonight's General Election leaders' debate is likely to include key questions on Iraq, Trident and Europe.
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Community Afan FM Click
Commercial - Swansea music venue Sin City is backing the station's gig guide, with a handy commercial spin-off. Click
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Links Twitter | Website
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Carmarthenshire Life shines new light on media

The new-look Carmarthenshire Life is a fine addition to the Swansea Bay media scene.
It fills a gap between the internet hurly-burly, the grassroots nature of the Llanelli Star and Carmarthen Journal and the arm's length feel of BBC Wales.
An elegantly presented A4 magazine with a satin finish, it's now in the hands of the Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust and is being run as a not-for-profit  publication.
In celebrating the county, it follows on from its previous - less classy - incarnation and looks like it means business. Cover price is £2.20, its layout is neat and tidy and its content is well thought through.
Its spring edition featured editorial pieces on a colourful spectrum of topics ranging from the Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services to the county's teacher of the year as judged by the Radio Carmarthenshire/Scarlet FM Local Hero Awards.
There was poetry, heritage, music, arts, local history and a lot more.
In the latest edition (April/May), editor Jenna Fulford has harnessed the skills of the contributors' team which includes Fairtrade campaigner Phil Broadhurst, storyteller Idris Davies and local history fan Alan Owen.
Carole Ann Smith is given the centre spread to highlight 20 years of Llanelli Writers' Circle. The group began as a collection of novices on a creative writing course and launched with 13 members. Much has happened since and the circle remains an important active ingredient of the Llanelli cultural mix. Well done to all concerned.
Publicity-wise, there are good things happening in Carmarthenshire Life. Llanelli's Coffee House - in the home of the Elim Pentecostal Church - offers 10% off, the WI offers a fine recipe for honey sponge pudding and The Laugharne Weekend festival gets a good plug.
There's an informative diary of events and advertisers include business consultant Ross Carbery and virtual office operator Alpha Business Works.
The latest ad rates I have for the bi-monthly mag include: Full Page - 1 edition £450, 3 editions £1,215, 6 editions £2,165.
Good luck to everybody involved with the publication.

April 6's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Print Western Mail Click
Editorial – A Gower businessman whose son died in a mysterious plane crash off Brazil two years ago has still not been able to hold a funeral.
Commercial – Great to see a new business – Jenkins Garden Machinery - rising in Cross Hands, supported by an informative half-page ad.
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Broadcast Bay Radio Click
Editorial – Swansea Council has approved the closure of two children’s homes as part of a services review.
Commercial – Typical ad break – Blazers Caravans, Argyle Cleaning Services, Towers Hotel & Spa Bon Jovi tribute night.
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Online South Wales Evening Post Click
Editorial – Work to transform the fire-ravaged remains of Neath's Gwyn Hall into a multi-million pound arts venue starts this month. Contractor Morgan Ashurst plans a meeting with local traders over safely measures. Click
Commercial – Google Ads on the home page include ... The Crown Training Academy, Store-It Wales and JobRapido.
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Links Twitter | Website
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Lake aims to make a splash on Swansea Bay media circuit

Ben Evans, of hugely popular young Swansea Bay-based rock broadcaster Nation Radio, tells me that April sees the return of a colourful key presenter.
The station has signed up 26-year-old Allan Lake who's done the rounds of terrestrial radio services with his own unique style.
For the past year he has been busy establishing an online talk station based in Cardiff.
Ben, the station programmer for Nation, said: "We're pleased we didn't have to look far to find our new breakfast show.
"Allan's made South Wales his home and has built a great relationship with his audience during stints at Red Dragon FM and here at Nation previously."
Allan told Media Master: "Whatever we do, we hope to give people a bit of a smile in the morning. The South Wales sense of humour is amazing so we'll definitely be having a laugh on the phones."
Lake's return follows Nation celebrations as it recorded its highest ever listening figures. It's part of the expanding Town and Country Broadcasting empire which also features the likes of Bay Radio, Scarlet FM and Radio Carmarthenshire.
Ben said: "Allan's appointment is the latest in a number of developments through 2010, which began with Nation expanding its coverage on DAB Radio.
"Nation is becoming a proper Made-in-Wales success story. Our listeners are as passionate about the station as we are, spreading the word to more and more new listeners every day. Our new breakfast show gives them even more opportunities to get involved."
Lake's Wikipedia entry - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Lake - proclaims hims as being "Britain's most outspoken and fired radio DJ."
Listen in, folks ... could be interesting times ahead.

March 9's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Print Western Mail Click
Lead story – The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says it has no sympathy with striking civil servants.

Key opinion – Wales is over-governed and doesn’t need 22 directors of social services, let alone 22 council chief executives. With money tight, now is a good time to rethink the way we run and pay for local authorities.
Promo power – “Get in early” is the WRU’s new mantra ... a page one ad plugs pre-registrations for tickets to the June 5 Wales v South Africa clash.
Top tales – The Western Mail’s top commented-on website stories at present include: Delve gets Wales squad call Click, Claims of financial abuse may close Communities First fund Click, Cardiff City fans protest Click
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Broadcast Scarlet FM Click
Key local story – An initiative to train Carmarthenshire police officers and council staff in basic sign language has been such a success that it could be set to grow.
Promo power – Handy tip to business: you can request a Scarlet FM ad quote online – just click here.
Police hunt - Click here to see a Post Office visitor wanted by Llanelli police in connection with a robbery.
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Online Swansea Council Click
Key local story – Officers from the council have held talks with Swansea Tennis Centre users about the future of the attraction. Click
Publicity power – Swansea will join thousands of other communities across the globe on March 27 at 8.30pm when the lights go out for an hour in council locations to mark nature conservation charity WWF's Earth Hour. Click
School budgeting – Plans to create two new Swansea primary schools could go out to consultation this month. Officers recommend creating new English and Welsh establishments. Click
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Community Radio Tircoed Click
News - Firefighters tackled a series of grass fires including two on Gower.
Interviews - Phil England talks to Kerry Lynne, of Diabetes UK Cymru, and Meilyr James in the regular herbal spot.
Website – New attractions on the events page, plus details on how to advertise.
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Make every penny count! Andy Pearson can guide your business through the media minefield. Phone 07758 745 240. Email andy@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
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The Links Twitter | Website
What’s missing? Tell us what you’d like to see in these bulletins - email moreplease@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
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February 23's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Print Western Mail Click
Lead story – The charity at the heart of the Downing Street bullying row was criticised over the way it operated as long ago as 2007.
Key opinion – Wales’ Communities First project isn’t a bad idea – but it needs better management structures if it is to achieve its noble aims.
Promo power – If you run any business that cuts the cost of family life, organise some publicity to capitalise on this headline: Cost of a child is up 40% in 7 years to £195k. Andy Pearson Publicity can help.
Don’t miss – An Eden Park competition to win a pair of tickets for this weekend’s Wales v France RBS 6 Nations game.
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Broadcast Scarlet FM Click
Key local story – Town councillors are concerned over plans to hold a party event for up to 25,000 young people in Pembrey Country Park this summer.
Typical ad break – Sunnyhaven and Blazers Caravans, Consumer Direct, Learn Direct, Sinclair VW Swansea.
You heard it here – Ammanford hosts a special Coleg Sir Gar event today to give up-to-date advice to counsellors.
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Online Swansea Council Click
Top story - A newly-built Welsh medium primary school in Swansea has picked up top honours in an awards ceremony that recognises building excellence. Click
Publicity power - Getting creative in the kitchen could help one lucky person win a luxury prize. People are being asked to invent a Welsh cake for the opportunity to scoop a luxury free break at the Dragon Hotel. Good promo for the hotel. Give me a shout if you’d like to learn how to publicise your business. Click
Congratulations! – Plantasia marked its 20th anniversary last weekend with a mix of fun activities and special discounts. The Parc Tawe attraction was opened in February 1990 and has welcomed over 1.5m visitors. Click
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Community Radio Tircoed Click
News - Families of two Swansea girls seriously injured in a car crash are maintaining hospital vigils at their bedsides.
New music - ... from the rather stylish Esteban
Website - Activities from around the area on the events page. Click here then click on Events.
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Make every penny count! Andy Pearson can guide your business through the media minefield. Phone 07758 745 240. Email andy@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
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The Links
Twitter Click
Website Click
What’s missing? Tell us what you’d like to see in these bulletins - email moreplease@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
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