international news _ Jonty Skrufff _ 7th March 2005
Radio 1 Commit To Clubs As Dance Don Departs
Radio 1's Executive Dance Producer Matt Priest is leaving the British radio station to take up a position at Bob Geldof's marketing/ media company Ten Alps Music Events.
As Executive Dance Producer for the last nine years, Priest was the key figure behind the station's enthusiastic support of club culture, though overall station chief Andy Parfit stressed this week that his departure won't alter Radio 1's emphasis.
"Matt has made a tremendous contribution to Radio 1 during his time here. Over the past few years he has created several exceptional new shows that have properly reflected the changing face of dance music in the UK," said Parfitt. "Radio 1 has in place many exciting new dance events across 2005 and our commitment to dance music remains undimmed."
Priest was similarly enthused about his new direction and hinted he expects to remain involved in club land.
"The opportunity I now have at Ten Alps Music Events is an exciting new challenge for me and a chance to keep working in a world I love with one of the best companies around," he said.
Ten Alps Managing Director Tim Spencer said Priest will be heading up a new division producing 'music-related events'.
"So far, clients have been restricted to just sponsoring music events produced by others - a presence or naming rights," he said. "We're not planning at this stage to create or promote entire events/festivals. But we will produce specific, targeted ventures which either stand alone or inside other festivals," he confirmed.(Jonty Skrufff / Skrufff.com)
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