Ryder Cup's radio temptation

Another golfing PR opportunity is being offered up by the Swansea-based media.


Local radio specialists Town and Country Broadcasting have a tempting little Ryder Cup package available to a sports-loving enterprise.

I met account manager Matthew Anderson in the Uplands Diner, Swansea, today and he was mad keen on his new offering.

Exposure

For an outlay of £1,400 - although I suspect that's negotiable - the broadcaster's Ryder Cup associate will get decent exposure on Nation Radio, Bay Radio and Bridge FM, covering a good wedge of central South Wales.

In the two weeks' run-up to the big Celtic Manor showdown there'll be mentions on five daily promo slots and a few "live reads" by presenters.

Over the three days of the competition there'll be mentions on four daily updates from the course along with more live reads.

The presenter with the rather tasty job of reporting every three hours on the progress of the European and American teams is Gareth Williams, a regular on TCB's saturday sport output.

Nice work if you can get it ... and a tempting promotional hook-up.

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

Swansea broadcast blast for Mike, Olly, Chris & Steve

Sketty broadcast phenomenon Mike Leahy is ploughing on energetically with his fledgling blog radio show In Town Today.
He broadcasts every Thursday from 7-8pm and the show can be enjoyed after that by download.
The latest features news from the Uplands Diner, home of The Beast breakfast, a frank chat with Swansea Council leader Chris Holley over budget cuts and some verse from Olly the Uplands street poet.
Olly's charming first poem begins: "The small, quiet village settles down, only protected by the stars/ The women make the suppers as the men put away the cars/ The lights disappear into the night as the village soundly sleeps."
There's a splendid interview with Steve Balsamo (pictured), lead singer of Swansea band The Storys who plan a rousing farewell gig at the Grand Theatre this June.
He tells Mike: "I grew up listening to my dad's favourite, Mario Lanza, and my mother's country choices like Jim Reeves. I was greatly influenced by that mix."
Tune in!

Photo: Terry Morris Photography