Andrew Smythe joined SABC Commercial Enterprises on 2 July as General Manager: Radio Sales.
Smythe has over the last 10 years amassed experience in the sales and marketing field, holding positions in the public and private sectors. His education includes a MBA and Masters Degree in Management from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia.
Prior to joining the SABC, Smythe managed his own company, San Media. This venture made him winner of the 2006 FNB Enablis Business Plan Competition for entrepreneurship.
He held the position of Sales Manager at Future Publishing, during which time he was responsible for four sales units covering different publications and target markets.
Smythe also has experience in outdoor advertising, from his position as National Sales Manager at Clear Channel Independent.
During his stint with Radmark,( Direct Sales Manager), he was responsible for goal setting product innovation and implementation of innovative radio marketing plans for clients ranging from FMCG to IT and Financial Services.
Smythe is very passionate about radio. “I grew up in the era of radio and some of my best memories emanate from those days. I have quite a creative flair for radio, and am therefore extremely excited about this new journey at SABC Commercial Enterprises. This position is all about people. I would want the team to be as excited as I am about the opportunities and strengths we hold within our Radio Station bouquet. I want each of them to start thinking like an entrepreneur.
“The biggest challenge lies in transforming the industry; to get them to realise the value of our ALS stations. We can no longer only look at the Black Diamonds and Platinum Market, LSM 1-4 is where the future of this country is at. I would want the interface between SABC Radio Sales and the industry to be a seamless one – quite a daunting task, but do-able.’
Smythe is a firm believer of adsplits: “I just love the technology – from my days at Radmark already. We would most definitely be extending adsplits and promise new innovations in this regard.’
