Australia's CRA Adds Four to Radio Supplier Panel

Four new regional radio survey providers have been accredited by Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) to join its panel of suppliers, and to undertake audience measurement research from 2014.

In October, CRA awarded GfK a three-year contract starting in January, to provide audience survey services in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, the Gold Coast, Canberra and Newcastle. The new companies - Xtra Research, DBM Consultants, Enterprise Marketing and Research Services (EMRS), and IRIS Research - are now approved to conduct surveys in all regional markets outside the Gold Coast, Canberra and Newcastle areas.

CRA says that from next year, under the new system, regional radio stations can commission one of the approved research companies to provide audience surveys in their licence area.

CEO Joan Warner (pictured) comments: 'Information gathered from regular regional surveys will benefit sales teams and advertisers, and also provide insights to help programming teams make even better radio for local regional audiences.'

Warner confirmed that other suppliers may be added to the regional survey providers' panel as the accreditation process proceeds.

Web site: www.commercialradioaustralia.com.au .