Global media research agency TNS has won the tender to supply South Africa’s radio audience measurement service. And Jennie Beck, global director of TNS/Kantar Media, will be based in Johannesburg for the first year to ensure the smooth implementation of the new currency.
“This is a first for South Africa – a focused and custom-designed radio currency and all of our global experience in audience measurement will be brought to bear on this programme. I am really looking forward to being very closely involved in the rollout and delivery of the new currency,” Beck said.
TNS Research Surveys beat out competition from other shortlisted companies ACNielsen, Ask Afrika, GfK and Ipsos in a five-way pitch. National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) CEO, Nadia Bulbilia, pronounced herself “delighted” with the outcome of what she called a “transparent and rigorous tender process”.
TNS’s Richard Rice of TNS was delighted at the outcome. “We will bring all of the very best that TNS has to offer in the execution of the programme,” said Rice. “We understand too, that the broadcasters are not only looking for a reliable currency but for a deeper understanding of how listening habits are changing and we look forward to providing the broadcasters with this additional layer of insights to add value to the currency.”
The Broadcast Research Council will manage the contract with TNS. “We’ve gone through a really good process with the NAB and BRC and we look forward to a successful rollout of the new survey,” said its interim CEO, Clare O’Neil.
The AMPS/RAMS 2015 will “roll-over” for 2015 to ensure stability and to provide a smooth transition into the new radio survey, the industry has agreed. The NAB Radio Research Committee chairperson, Tracy Stafford, has been appointed as Chair of the BRC Radio Research Committee. “This has been a wonderful process that provided the committee the opportunity to focus on what’s best for radio research. I’m excited about working with TNS and the additional insights into radio listening that the new contract will provide,” Stafford said.
