John Myers

Infobox_Person
name =John Myers


caption = Cassette compilation of the wind ups Myers performed at Century Radio
residence =
birth_date =
birth_place =
occupation = Radio executive
employer =GMG Radio
partner = Lynda

John Myers (a.k.a. John Morgan) is a British radio executive and presenter. He is currently the chief executive of GMG Radio, owned by the Scott Trust, which owns the Smooth Radio, Real Radio, Rock Radio and Century Radio brands.

Myers started his radio career in 1980 by finding mothers for lost lambs on BBC Radio Cumbria's "Lamb Bank". [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article3448631.ece "John Myers tends Guardian Media's radio unit"] "The Times", February 28, 2008] He became a presenter in 1982 for Red Rose, and then Radio Tees in 1984. In 1988 he became the programme controller and breakfast presenter for Red Rose Gold.

He appeared on Border Television as a continuity announcer and programme presenter (sometimes with Eric the Monkey!) during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

In 1993 he launched CFM (Carlisle), as managing director of Border Radio Holdings.

In September 1994, he launched Century Radio in North East England. He again presented the breakfast show, this time under the pseudonym of John Morgan. [http://www.gmgradiosales.co.uk/?section=news&page=latest&id=64] He released a compilation cassette of the wind-ups from his show, and even a novelty single, called "Three Rosettes", under the further pseudonym of Mr Martin to thwart his victims. He also co-presented other shows, such as the Sunday lunch time "Fun on the Phones".

During this time he also presented segments on Tyne Tees Television's magazine show. Ratings fell when he stepped down from presenting the breakfast show, and his replacement, Steve Coleman, was sacked after just three weeks. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20050418132708/http://www.daveporter.co.uk/steve/ Reprints of various articles from local press in North East England] ]

In 1997 he left the North East to launch 106 Century FM in the East Midlands. A year later, the BBC television fly on the wall documentary "Trouble at the Top" followed his launch of 105.4 Century FM in North West England. After seeing Myers on this documentary, Sir Robert Phillis, the former Guardian Media Group chief executive, enlisted him to establish GMG's radio division.

He became managing director of GMG Radio in 1999, which launched Real Radio (Wales) in 2000. Like 105.4 Century FM, "John Morgan" hosted the breakfast show. In July 2007, John co-hosted the breakfast show, again under the name Morgan, standing in for regular presenter Salty.

He became chief executive of GMGR in 2002, and joined the board of directors of the Guardian Media Group in 2006. [http://www.gmgradio.co.uk/newsarticles/news152.html]

John has grown GMG Radio through both license wins and acquisitions. During his nine years with the company it has been awarded three licenses and with the support of the GMG board he has led the purchase of Scot FM from the Wireless Group, JAZZ FM and more recently the group acquired Paisley’s Q96 from UTV, the two Century FM stations from GCap and four Saga Radio stations.

In March 2007 he oversaw the launch of the Smooth Radio brand, the UK’s first mainstream commercial stations to target the 40-59 year old adult. The five existing Smooth FM and Saga stations were rebranded as Smooth Radio and the group launched the sixth station under this brand in North East England in January 2008. This was quickly be followed by the launch of the group’s second Rock Radio station in Manchester in May 2008.

John is a board director of the Radio Centre, a member of the Sony Radio Awards Committee and Chairman of the Radio Academy.

External links

* [http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/articles/2004/6/QuantumArticle-2004-06-08000003 No bullshit from this radio man]
* [http://static.highbeam.com/m/musicampmedia/june051999/keyexecchangesatukradiogroups/ Key exec changes at U.K. radio groups] 1999 - Myers leaves Border.
* [http://www.theradiomagazine.co.uk/BigCheese/Myers001.htm Big Cheese] 2000 - John Myers on radio