Announcement of new President.

PRESS RELEASE

AER NEW PRESIDENT TAKES OFFICE ON OCTOBER 1st IN BARCELONA

Christer JUNGERYD, AER’s new President elect formally took office during AER’s Executive Committee meeting which was held on October 1st in Barcelona. Christer JUNGERYD is Secretary General of the Swedish Commercial Broadcasters Association (RU) and has served as AER’s Secretary General since 2002.

In his introductory words, Christer JUNGERYD gave a warm homage to former President, Sergio NATUCCI. He said: “Sergio NATUCCI has served AER as Secretary General and President with a lot of dedication for 9 years. He has relentlessly shared his vision of the place of radio in Europe and was instrumental in building AER as a well established and respected “voice” for private and commercial radio broadcasters in Brussels. Although he is stepping down as President today, he is not leaving the boat and we know that we will able to continue counting on him in the future.”

On his own nomination, Christer JUNGERYD said: “I will ensure continuity but also endeavour to take AER into its next stage of development. The European Union is presently going though major changes which include dealing with the impact of Enlargement, the consequences of the European Parliamentary elections and the entering into force of a new Commission. The radio industry itself is faced with major challenges which include profound changes in the advertising industry, the migration to digital broadcasting and their impact on regulatory frameworks at national and EU levels. A new phase is starting and we must be ready to apprehend these changes with innovative ideas, in order to secure the future and further development of the private and commercial radio sector in Europe.”

Created in 1992, the Association of European Radios (AER) represents the interests of 14 national private radio associations in 11 EU Member States, Romania and Switzerland. Its combined membership is over 4,500 private/commercial radio stations broadcasting to millions of listeners every day. AER represents the interests of private and commercial broadcasters to the institutions of the EU and serves as a platform of information and exchange of expertise for its membership.

ENDS
06/09/2004

NOTE TO EDITORS: AER Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 736 91 31 Fax +32 2 732 89 90 Email aer @ aereurope.org