The Radio Marketing Bureau (RMB) is closing its doors at the end of August after nearly 50 years, only to create a new radio-only broadcast association that focuses on regulatory and legislative issues, as well as sales and marketing measures.
Gary Belgrave, president of the Radio Marketing Bureau, said the decision was sparked in part by the announcement that the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) is dissolving this June.
The CAB represented broadcasters, private radio and television stations, networks and specialty services to the federal government, while the RMB’s mandate was to promote the effectiveness of radio among agencies and advertisers.
The new organization will cover all of these areas under a new name and mandate, which are still in development stages, said Belgrave.
Lesley Conway-Kelley, chair of the RMB, said in a statement: “Radio’s future is bright and the best way to move forward and continue to be relevant in the current competitive environment is to focus our resources into one association with a broader yet focused mandate.
“The only way this action is possible is that we are able to build on the superior work of the RMB and its team under the leadership of its president, Gary Belgrave, to transition into a new association that will combine the strengths of both the CAB and the RMB.”
The CAB and RMB have the same members, said Belgrave, so however the new organization is structured “those same people will be involved.”
