Radiocentre’s Mark Barber to step down after 25 years

Radiocentre Planning Director Mark Barber is to step down from his role at the industry body, after more than 25 years of demonstrating the value, reach and impact of commercial radio in the UK.

Mark initially joined the Radio Advertising Bureau (later incorporated into Radiocentre) in 2001, after a career as a strategic planner on blue-chip clients spanning a range of media agencies.

In the role of Planning Director, Mark has been responsible for developing much of Radiocentre’s award-winning research, such as ‘Radiogauge’, ‘ROI Multiplier’, ‘Generation Audio’, ‘Re-evaluating Media’ and ‘High Gain Audio’ and is regarded as a leading authority on audio effectiveness.

In 2015 he received an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honour’s list for services to commercial radio.

Matt Payton, Radiocentre CEO, said:

“Mark has been a joy to work with over the years, as well as a fantastic source of knowledge and inspiration on all matters relating to audio and advertising. His body of work is immense and respected around the world. I can only thank him for the massive contribution he’s made to the success of Radiocentre and to commercial radio in the UK”.

Mark Barber MBE, said:

“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have spent the last 25 years working alongside and supported by so many brilliant, clever, funny and hard-working colleagues, not to mention stakeholders and friends across the industry, all tasked with defining and demonstrating the role and effectiveness of audio for advertisers. Hopefully, some of the thinking I’ve contributed – and been lucky enough to share with audio operators around the world – will be deemed to have provided lasting value to the industry that has sustained, challenged and entertained me across this time.

Added to my previous agency experience, I find myself having worked full-time in advertising and media for over 44 years now, so this feels like an appropriate moment to step back and consider a more fractional approach in the next phase of my life. Beyond investing more time in my non-exec role with independent media agency December19, hopefully this will also create opportunity for me to take on new challenges and indulge further in my passions for music and writing – occasionally combining the two to compose songs that very few people will ever (want to) hear!”

Radiocentre will be announcing further changes to strengthen its advertising and commercial advocacy team in due course.