Tubridy may be just what RTE Radio One needs

Media&Marketing: With radio listenership figures due to be released on February 17th, there will be lots of attention, as always, on RTÉ Radio One.

If the figures are poor for Marian Finucane, the recent decision to move her to the weekend may look inspired, but if her show increases its ratings, people may form another view.

Advertisers are generally upbeat about the decision to bring Ryan Tubridy into the prime time slot. Mr Paul Moran, managing director of Mediaworks said: "A fresh face is exactly what is needed".

However, he said further change was needed on the national broadcaster's oldest channel. "The afternoon schedule in particular needs shaking up. It has a stale look about it."

He said the biggest problem for RTÉ Radio One, at least from an advertising perspective, was that some companies believed the station no longer had the ability to reach the under-35s.

"Clients targeting under-35s tend to dismiss RTÉ Radio One as an option and are diverting business to Today FM and a mixture of the locals," he said.

Mr Tony Newby, head of broadcast media at Universal McCann, was slightly more optimistic about the station's prospects.

"Despite experiencing a fall off in audience figures, RTÉ Radio One still remains an attractive offering for many advertisers, particularly with its strength in the Dublin marketplace," he said. "The introduction of new, younger blood like Ryan Tubridy to a prime time slot should broaden the audience for the station and the attraction of the station for advertisers."

O'Reilly tipped for job

The chairman of the Sunday Tribune, Mr Gordon Colleary, has said he would be delighted if Mr Gavin O'Reilly, chief operating officer of Independent News and Media (IN&M), joined the board of the company.

"I would love if he would do it. Liam Healy has had a long association with the paper and it would be great if someone with that top management experience would join the board," he said. He was responding to reports that suggested the Tribune board is due to be restructured in the coming days.

Mr Michael Roche, a senior executive from IN&M is expected to shortly take up the post of chief executive of the paper. But weekend reports suggested Mr O'Reilly might join the board. A spokesman for IN&M declined to comment on this yesterday.

Staff at the paper are expected to meet tomorrow to discuss the recent departure of the editor-in-chief and chief executive, Mr Jim Farrelly. The Irish secretary of the Irish National Union of Journalists, Mr Seamus Dooley, has requested a meeting with Mr Colleary to discuss the reasons for Mr Farrelly's departure.

The staff are also expected to seek information from management about reports suggesting there will be greater use of the Independent service in Britain. IN&M is the publisher of the London Independent and Independent on Sunday.

Some journalists from these papers, such as Middle East commentator Robert Fisk and columnist Johann Hari, have regularly contributed to the Sunday Tribune. However, it is understood the links between the two newspapers may be increased this year.

Accounts out to pitch

Several advertising accounts are out to pitch right now and how they fall could make or break the year for certain agencies.

Traditionally, the ESB account is keenly fought over and is believed to be worth about €2 million. Currently, Universal McCann does the media buying and planning, while McConnells provides the creative services.

Hibernian Insurance is also out to pitch. Its account is believed to be worth about €2 million.

One of the most lucrative and prestigious accounts put out to tender is that of the National Safety Council.

Worth between €2 and €4 million, whoever wins it will be expected to design a hard-hitting campaign which is meant to lead directly to a reduction in road deaths.

The account is currently held by Lyle Baillie. The agency, headed up by David Lyle, has handled the National Safety Council for the last number of years and most industry observers believe that during that time, an excellent job was done.

The agency received a number of creative and effectiveness awards for their safety campaigns.

Joey's many friends

Friends may be gone and its high ratings too. But its spin-off show, Joey, has done very well for RTÉ too. The first four episodes delivered an average adult audience of 207,000 viewers, which is on a par with Friends over the same period in 2004. Joey was first transmitted on RTÉ 2 on Monday, January 3rd.

Dynamic acquisition

Financial Dynamics International, which has an office in Dublin, has announced the acquisition of Tamesis Public Relations - a UK public relations firm which operates in the property and construction sectors. The purchase price was not disclosed.

The managing director of Financial Dynamics in Ireland, Mr Paul McSharry, said he believed the Irish business would benefit significantly from the development.

"Increasingly, there is a growing demand for communications services in the property sector.

"In recent times, we have been working with our international colleagues on property-related business and we are close to agreeing terms for new business in this area in the coming days."

The Dublin office, located on Merrion Square, advises companies such as AIB Capital Markets, Coca-Coca Bottlers Ireland, Vodafone, Xerox, Airtricity and Cisco.