BJK&E

On Thursday October 16th Matt (the man pictured in the ‘Mud Mud Glorious Mud’ blog below) and I were invited to a play-list meeting at the newly re-branded Absolute Radio office.

The idea behind these meetings is to sit down with several other members of the Absolute radio company and listen to selected tracks decide if it is a ‘hit, ‘miss’, or ‘maybe.’  Naturally, Matt and I went above and beyond what was expected of us.  Prior to arriving at the studio Matt and I decided to make a list of songs we would like to hear on the radio.  Our playlist quickly developed into an 80s power hour of music.  Our list ranged from Foreigners’ ‘Juke Box Hero’ down to The Thompson Twins’ ‘Hold Me Now.’

Upon our arrival we met with several members of the Absolute Radio staff that worked behind the scenes and received a small tour of where broadcasts occur, small live session are held, and found a guitar case full of sweets (my favorite part).  In our meeting there were five people other than us who work throughout the building but not directly with the music. 

Before I continue I must mention that I whipped out my page completely covered in names of artistes and tracks and handed it over to Ben Jones (one of the DJ personalities) who enjoyed our list and was going to give it a look over…

This play-list meeting required listening to six tracks and deciding what we thought.  We would have a little background information on the band and also discuss amongst ourselves what we thought of the sound of the song and what part of the day you would prefer to hear it. 

Overall it was an enjoyable experience and a valid reason to get out of the office on a Thursday afternoon.  Absolute radio is really taking on their new ad campaign (with the midget/dwarf in the T.V. commercials) and trying to find new artists as well as playing songs from our favorite artists that might be a little less known.  My favorite part of Absolute is the 80’s hour from 10-11am as well as the ‘no repeat guarantee.’  Now my ears are listening to Absolute during the work day in hopes to hear some to the more obscure songs that were on my playlist…
What are you initial thoughts on Absolute Radios new ad campaign of ‘Discover Real Music?’

Big news in the world of Media appointments this week is that Absolute Radio has poached Chris Lawson, Bauer Performance’s digital media director, for the brand new role of brand director on the station soon to be formerly known as Virgin Radio.

Virgin Radio Holdings Ltd (including the radio station) was bought in May 2008 by TIML (Times of India Group) - India’s largest music and ents group for £53.2million following its sale by SMG.

Lawson’s responsibilities will include making an announcement on the new brand name for Virgin Radio, expected within a fortnight. So the big debate, BJK&E and friends is - what would you name it and why? Consider:
 - The station has to keep the same genre as previously in accordance with its licence
 - The station will still be located in Golden Square
 - There is no need for it to have an overt link to “Times of India” in the name
 - The “DAVE” phenomenon of TV (if you dont know what I’m talking about read my retrospective futures article) - name can be everything!
 - So the name needs to befit one of the UK’s biggest commercial stations
 - Albion will be helping create the new name so no cheating and asking them

Best / closest answer gets a prize. Possibly.