Interep, the largest independent advertising sales and marketing company representing radio, the Internet and other associated media, is reporting that it's new business development efforts have pumped $57 million new dollars to radio through the third quarter of 2004. And while new dollars developed specifically for Interep client radio stations are up 77% over last year, the aforementioned $57 million new dollars to radio is a 58 percent increase over the same period last year.

Additionally, Interep is reporting total developmental billing from new business, marketing services and renewals (i.e. those accounts previously developed by Interep sellers that have returned to radio) climbed to $89 million during the first three quarters of 2004, a 25% increase over last year.

“The last few years have taught us that we can not wait for economic recovery to buoy our industry; we must make our own recovery," said Ralph Guild, Interep Chairman and CEO. "Our entire sales staff is now being trained not only to optimize share for our clients at the time buying level, but also to develop new streams of revenue for our clients in order to meet their growth goals.  If we continue to develop new dollars at the pace of 2004, we will exceed $100 million new dollars for radio next year.”

Since 1992, the year Interep first began it's business development program, the company has developed over $1 billion dollars for the radio industry, and has expanded its program to include its reps of record, as well as its dedicated new business team.