“As the only independent radio representation firm, Interep has a unique strategic advantage,” says Pine. “Only Interep can offer all of our client stations, regardless of ownership, the individual attention, as well as the collective clout, they need to compete as a single force against any other medium or company.”

“The collective strength of Interep’s client stations gives us a level of reach, multi-market coverage and demographic penetration unattainable by any single broadcast group,” Pine adds. “This strength enables us to compete more aggressively in radio and offers national advertisers a compelling incentive to place more of their ad budget into radio.”

“Interep will marshal all its resources to maximize our strategic advantages,” Pine continues. “We will begin by further developing our personalized client service relationships. We will strengthen the culture of teamwork within Interep. And we will make clear that everyone at Interep is fully accountable for realizing our clients’ goals.”

In his new position, Pine will oversee all of Interep’s radio representation firms. He will also be responsible for client development, client service, performance evaluation of the Presidents and Regional Executives, share performance at agencies, and the achievement of new business development goals. Ralph Guild will continue to lead the company’s expansion efforts and direct corporate and financial strategies.

“Having worked with George Pine for many years, I know his talent,” Guild commented. “We both understand how the national radio business has changed, and share a common vision for radio’s future. As President and COO, George will best serve our clients by combining his superb day-to-day management skills and demand for accountability with his knowledge of our company’s needs in a changing media environment.”

During his 37-year career in radio, Pine has become one of the industry’s leading executives. Prior to assuming his new position, he was President of ABC Radio Sales, an Interep company. In that position, he was accountable for ABC’s national sales and marketing company. Under Pine’s leadership, ABC achieved a national compounded annual growth rate twice that of the industry.

Previously, Pine managed Interep’s entire Eastern Region, which includes the New York, Boston and Philadelphia offices; the region, with billings in excess of $300 million annually, consistently outperformed the national market. He was responsible for the region’s profits, client shares and overall agency performance, and developed new and innovative selling strategies for client stations.

Pine began his national radio sales career with McGavren Guild Radio in 1973 as an Account Executive in the New York office. After a series of promotions he became, in 1985, Executive Vice President of the New York region. In 1989, he was appointed a Regional Executive for Interep/New York and in 1993 became President of Interep East.

Interep is the nation’s largest independent advertising sales and marketing company specializing in radio, the Internet and complementary media, with offices in 16 cities. Interep is the parent company of ABC Radio Sales, Allied Radio Partners, Cumulus Radio Sales, D&R Radio, Infinity Radio Sales, McGavren Guild Radio, MG/Susquehanna, SBS/Interep, as well as Interep Interactive, the company’s interactive representation and web publishing division specializing in the sales and marketing of on-line advertising, including streaming media. Interep Interactive includes Winstar Interactive, Cybereps and Perfect Circle Media. In addition, Interep provides a variety of support services, including: consumer and media research, sales and management training, promotional programs and unwired radio “networks.” Clients also benefit from Interep’s new business development team, the Interep Marketing Group. For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.interep.com. DBJ