TORONTO – John Harding, president of the Radio Marketing Bureau advised its board of directors this week that he will not seek a renewal of his current contract when it comes due in Spring 2006. 
He’s been with the organization since 1998.
"It’s with mixed emotions that I’m electing not to renew my contract when it’s due next April, but I feel it’s the right time for me to consider new directions for my career outside the Radio Marketing Bureau," said Harding (right) in a release.
"It feels great to leave the radio industry and the Radio Marketing Bureau in an extremely strong and growing position. I’m proud and thankful for the opportunity to have been a leader in such a dynamic and exciting industry."
"I’ve committed to the board for a period of at least six months to allow adequate time for the organization to select a new president in a professional and orderly fashion," added Harding. "I will continue to lead the RMB until the transition process is complete."
A search committee will be named and a succession planning process will be endorsed soon.
"Over the past seven-and-a-half years, John has transformed the organization into a proactive, strategically focused, professional group of people who truly are the authoritative marketing and resource centre for Radio advertising in Canada,” said Patrick Grierson, chairman of the RMB board of directors and president of Canadian Broadcast Sales.
"John has been able to coordinate a variety of large and small broadcaster needs and deliver a collective focus on key strategies to improve the health and vitality of the Canadian Radio industry. Radio’s respect within the advertising community and current growth position of over eight per cent in 2005 can, in part, be traced back to the important efforts of the RMB," Grierson added.
“Whether it has been the revitalization of the Crystals, the development and delivery of the Agency and Advertiser Radio Planning and Buying Seminars or the seminal research focusing on Radio ROI, John has kept RMB at the forefront, bringing together varied leaders and opinions to deliver maximum impact for the industry."
Joining RMB early in 1998, Harding raised the positive profile of Radio to help realize consistent growth year over year. Under his direction, membership has grown to over 385 radio stations and includes all the major broadcasting groups. The organization proactively responded to the depressed economic climate after September 11, 2001, with a white paper entitled "Aggressive Optimism" challenging the advertising industry to seize the day.
Working with BBM, RTS (Return to Sample) was ramped up to become the most definitive qualitative survey in Canada.
Harding also understood the importance of media accountability and, with the support of the board, has initiated many pieces of research focusing on the positive ROI provided by radio, continued the press release.
During a career that has spanned 31 years, Harding has held numerous executive positions including president of Laser Communications and executive vice-president of the Institute of Communications and Advertising.
