Paul Fairburn's Biography
Here's what I have done, current role first.
Station Director - Smooth Radio, London
Start date: 23rd June 2008.
Leading the station team at Smooth, in particular focusing on programming a commercial opportunities.
Freelance Consultant
Worked on a variety of projects including; media research for a technology project, advising a US web company, and website optimisation for a recycling company.
Managing Director – Digital Platforms, Chrysalis/Global Radio
• Until March 2008, responsible for Global Radio’s online, mobile, DAB and DTV activity
• Managed commercial interactive team, producing websites for clients. For example, the Motorola Red campaign site for UK commercial radio
• Responsible for award-winning podcasting platform
• Operated innovative podcast production business
• Created unified team – merging technical and commercial groups
• Grew revenues by 14% in a year
• Successfully developed in-house CMS for station sites 2006-2008
Managing Director, Chrysalis Radio Digital Operations
• Managing digital carriage for Chrysalis brands
• DAB oversight, of both transmission and individual stations (Heart & Galaxy, The Arrow and DNN)
Managing Director, Heart 106
• Successful integration and re-branding of Century FM as Heart 106
Managing Director, 100.7 Heart fm, Birmingham
• Led the most profitable Chrysalis station over the period
• Profit growth of over 75% in first 4 years. Significantly ahead of industry norms
• Initiated innovative staff development courses and claimed a Top 10 place in the “West Midlands 25 Best Companies to work for” (2005)
• Managed the expansion into adjacent premises
• Established cost-effective in-house research operation – conducting research for all Chrysalis stations
Managing Director, Galaxy 102.2, Birmingham
• Successfully integrated the old Choice FM into Chrysalis
• From loss making to £1m profit in the last year
• Weekly audience reach grew from 8% to 20% 1998-2005
Programme Director, 100.7 Heart fm, Birmingham
• Good record of attracting large audiences
• Grew station to market leadership in three years, becoming the largest radio station outside London
• Built excellent research call-centre