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Former Radio 1 chief joins Bauer Radio
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 4 August 2020
Former Radio 1 boss Ben Cooper is joining the radio side of Bauer Media to take on the new job of Group Director, Content And Music. What does that involve? Well, I’m surprised you had to ask. He will, of course, be adding “further energy to Bauer’s strategy and ambition to develop differentiated creative audio products, grow audiences and offer access to valuable audiences for advertisers”. Super funtimes.
Cooper announced he was departing the BBC last October ahead of the Corporation’s overhaul of its radio station management teams, in which each of the Beeb’s music stations has a more junior Head rather than a traditional Controller. The Head of each station then reports into the BBC’s Controller Of Pop, Lorna Clarke.
Much of Cooper’s career in broadcasting to date has been with the BBC, starting out in local radio and ultimately heading up 1Xtra and the Asian Network as well as Radio 1. Although he did also have a stint in the big bad world of commercial radio over at Capital.
Announcing his appointment yesterday, Bauer said Cooper “has a strong track record of leading and developing successful teams to deliver creative content alongside strategic, bold decision-making driving digital innovation and change in order to meet the new ways audiences consume and interact”.
Bauer Radio Group MD Dee Ford added: “The opportunity to extend our audio reach has never been greater – digital distribution in all its forms has enabled our portfolio to continue to grow. Developing new audio services and experiences and working closely with music partners will further accelerate that growth. Ben brings to Bauer a wealth of music industry and audience knowledge and key external relationships”.
Meanwhile, Cooper himself said: “I’m excited, I love radio, I love the Bauer brands and will enjoy strengthening my relationships with the music industry in new creative ways”.
