This report begins a new regular item for radioinfo, that will watch what the papers are saying about the radio industry and keep an eye on what new ad campaigns might be using radio.

The most significant article this week was the Sydney Morning Herald’s business section report titled “It’ll get tougher for RG Capital,” by Wendy Frew (July 28 2003). It outlined the new challenges facing RG Capital in coastal markets where new competition is about to go on air and examined the bottom line implications for the group. The full story is at the link below.

Also:

B & T had an in-depth report on how new competition has shaken up Australian music radio. It includes a look at Nova’s impact, radio facts and ratings table and speculates on network plans to expand.

The Financial Review did a short feature on the pressure placed on Austereo by the success of
DMG’s Nova stations, and the additional pressure it will be under as further radio licences are auctioned by the ABA.

The Sun-Herald reported on new recruits at Fbi as its official launch date grows closer. Tim Boffa is sponsorship and development manager, Stuart Buchanan is communications manager and Dan Buhagiar is talks producer.

The Financial Review says Internet service provider AOL/7 has launched an online radio station, described as a step towards a fully fledged music shopfront. The online streaming music service is in conjunction with Sydney record label Petrol Records and is available to all internet users free of charge via the AOL/7 service.

Many papers, especially in Queensland, speculated about the impending launch of Hot tomato.

In Advertising:

The Courier Mail reports that the Queensland State Government is to launch a $1m, six-month advertising campaign to increase reporting of child sex abuse. The campaign uses television, billboards, radio and newspapers to increase education and awareness.