Rep Wars Begin … will they affect Hispanic Radio?

Interep announced the appointment of Steve Shaw, Tucker Flood and Mark Gray, formerly of Katz Radio Group, to senior positions at Interep, with Shaw assuming the role of Co-President and -COO, effective immediately. Shaw will report to Ralph Guild, Chairman and CEO of Interep. Their addition will help Interep to grow its business and the national radio industry in the process.

In their new positions at Interep, the former Katz employees will apply their operational expertise and work with current Co-President and -COO George Pine to expand both market share for clients and the radio industry’s share of total available advertising dollars. Guild will continue to direct corporate and financial strategies.

“As the only independent radio representation firm, Interep will enable Tucker, Mark and I to combine our strong operational philosophies with the advantages of independent ownership,” said Shaw. “This arrangement will best meet clients’ needs to increase radio revenue for their own stations and to earn a greater percentage of the total available dollars for the medium. We look forward to working with Ralph and George to build a truly great independent rep company.”

In additional to the arrival of the former Katz executives, Interep will benefit from the merger of rep firms Allied and McGavren Guild, under the name McGavren Guild. Lisa Sirotka, formerly president of Allied, will serve as the president of the newly merged entity, “which we expect should provide valuable synergies that will strengthen both McGavren and Interep overall,” said Pine. In a related move, Tom Poulos, the former President of MGG Radio, will now serve as a Boston-based consultant to Interep.

Will this impact the attention and interest in expanding Hispanic rep companies?