Tenders Invited for Enhanced Radio Measurement in Oz

Commercial Radio Australia has issued an invitation for agencies to tender for the supply of radio audience measurement services, and says it is open to recommendations for supplementary data collection methods, such as online diaries and the use of mobiles and tablets to record radio listening.

The current contract for radio surveys, which is held by Nielsen and expires at the end of 2013, includes eight surveys a year in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, as well as three surveys a year in Newcastle and the Gold Coast, two a year in Canberra and one in Wollongong.

Joan Warner (pictured), Commercial Radio Australia's CEO, said that the contract specification is very different from previous tenders, where only one methodology had been required.

'Recent tests of an online diary yielded much more positive results than when we carried out a similar test in 2007. This highlights how people's increasing use of technology means listeners now appear more willing to record their listening habits online,' Warner explained.

She added that the industry is seeking proposals, advice, and evidence of performance and results from research companies that will lead to a cost effective methodology.

Web site: www.commercialradio.com.au .