MUMBAI: The SIMC (Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication) plans to undertake a research study focusing on radio as an industry in eight democracies of the world comparing the results with India Titled either, 'State of the Indian radio' or 'Indian radio in the global context', the research results will be released in the next National Radio Meet in September 2009
While the SIMC has sought support from the Association of Radio Operators in India (AROI) on the project, SIMC director Prof Ujjwal K Chowdhury confirms, "We had the first discussion at the National Radio Meet on Sunday with AROI president Apurva Purohit on a research focusing on seven or eight democracies of the world including the UK, US and developing countries like Brazil and few southern nations."
As part of the research, the team would be studying three aspects of radio - regulation mechanics, revenue models and programming differentiation patterns or strategies among these nations comparing with India "It will help us conclude where we lack, what sort of regulations and changes need to made, which revenue models have not been gainfully employed yet and finally, what sort of programming needs to be done to create differentiation in future," states Chowdhury.
At SIMC, the project will be headed by broadcast focused faculty headed by Subha Singh and the team would comprise one marketing head, supervisor and seven or eight youngsters who are passionate about radio This team would essentially focus on the three aspects of radio namely, marketing, content and regulations.
At the National Radio Meet held on 21 September, SIMC also announced that for the next NRM 2009, it will be undertaking many BLT (below the line) promotional activities for a month to build the brand across several states and the other programmes.