The Following Prostectus, although from our last RSL, hence out of date. Has been left on the web site as an example of the type of advertising packages that we offered whilst on air.

Advertising Prospectus
10th November to 7th December 1996

Mayflower fm is returning to the airwaves of Billericay, Brentwood and surrounding areas soon. This prospectus seeks to answer many of the questions you may have about both the station and advertising on Mayflower fm.

What is Mayflower fm ?

A community radio station run entirely by volunteers, which aims to provide a truly local alternative to the regional radio currently available in Billericay, Brentwood and surrounding areas.

Why is this service not full time?

The current radio licencing laws do not allow a full time community radio station to operate in this area. They do, however, make provision for groups such as ours to operate on a Restricted Service Licence (RSL) which run for a period of 28 days only.

Mayflower fm have run three such RSLs over the last three years and have a further 28 day licence which will commence on 10th November 1996.

Early next year, the Radio Authority will be inviting applications for a full time community radio station for this area and Mayflower fm is will be submitting a strong bid for this licence and is confident that it will be granted permanent status soon afterwards. It is our hope that we will be on air, full time, by late 1997.

How does the community benefit ?

Mayflower fm's programming is community based. In the past we have provided a forum for local charitable organisations to air their views and raise awareness of their aims. We also invite local personalities - big or small- to come in and talk to us and our listeners. Every guest is involved in the community in one way or another.

Who pays for Mayflower fm ?

Like other radio stations, Mayflower fm relies entirely upon advertising revenue generated from local businesses. The station cannot survive without support, both financial and otherwise, from the people in the community.

All of the station's staff are volunteers who give up a great deal of their time to see the station's RSLs through.

How can you help ?

We ask would- be supporters to help in any of the following ways:-

  • Advertising
  • Sponsorship of Programmes or Features
  • Donation of Prizes or Services

    How much does an advert cost ?

    This depends upon frequency, length and other factors, but a good average is that a 30 second advert would normally cost between UK£3 and UK£5. The same advert placed on Independent local radio would typically cost between UK£50 and UK£60 each - up to 20 times more expensive.

    Another advantage of advertising on Mayflower fm is that you will be specifically targeting the area where your business is. Sponsorship and donations are negotiable - we can negotiate a great deal for you. The forthcoming RSL will be during a period when businesses are competing for the all important Christmas market and facing increased competition from the extended opening hours recently announced by the major, out of town shopping centres. Advertising on Mayflower fm will open a further market place for your company.

    How many people actually listen to mayflower fm ?

    It is impossible to accurately predict how many people are listening to any particular advert, nor how many of those might respond.

    However, Mayflower fm broadcasts to an area with a population of around 150,000. In addition our transmissions are carried on Telewest Communications cable service to a further 50,000 homes throughout South Essex and North Kent including Chelmsford, Southend on Sea and Thurrock, giving the station a potential audience of over 250,000 people. Empirical data suggests that, at its peak, community radio attracts a market share as high as any other individual station - often around 20%.

    What would my adverts sound like ?

    Mayflower fm have many experienced broadcasters who have worked or are still working with the BBC and commercial radio. Our adverts are professionally produced and you will, of course, have the opportunity to preview and approve your advert before it goes on air. What is said in your advert is discussed and agreed with you and it can be scripted by you or by the station itself.

    Are there other ways in which we can help ?

    If you would be interested in coming to the station and going on air to talk about your business, your community group, local issues or anything else of interest, or would be interested in helping in any other way at all, please do not hesitate to contact the station manager - we'd be delighted to have you on board!

    What Mayflower fm offers.

    Advertisements normally are of either 15 or 30 seconds duration and are professionally prepared using state of the art equipment in a local studio suite.

    You will be offered the choice of a male or female presenter and backing music if required (at extra cost).

    The number of advertisement slots purchased is a guaranteed minimum. In previous transmissions we have always given our advertisers more air time.

    Advertising prices include production costs unless otherwise stated.

    Sponsorship is an alternative selected by many businesses. Rates are negotiable and programme sponsors are offered a generous discount on our normal advertising rates - please contact us for further details.

    On the following page is a list of businesses who have advertised or sponsored on Mayflower fm.

    Mayflower fm Advertisers and Sponsors.

    The following companies and organisations have advertised with or provided sponsorship for Mayflower fm:

    Billy Ray's Western Diner
    Brentwood Gazette
    Brentwood Wine Cellar
    Copying Direct
    Courage Hall Sports Centre - (Located in the grounds of Brentwood School)
    Creasebusters
    Crown Public House
    Day Lite Windows
    Essex County Council
    Essex County Cricket Club
    Eureka Records
    Feast of Bengal Restaurant
    Four Seasons Travel Agency
    Franklins Jewellers
    Fresh Flowers
    Ghandi Indian Restaurant
    Going Spare Auto Care
    Harley Carpets
    Hepburns The Butchers
    Macartney and Dowie Financial Services
    Magnus Motor Company
    A W Mudd & Co
    Parkers Wine Bar
    Peniel Pentecostal Church
    Peter Alexander Carpets
    Peter Martin Interiors
    Pisces School Of Motoring
    Road Safety Unit
    Scruffy Murphys
    SEAX
    Slipped Discs Records
    TOSH (UK) Mobile Communications
    Westway Travel
    Winslows


    Thank you for sparing the time to read this prospectus. We hope that you will support us by advertising on Mayflower fm. To discuss this further you can contact our Station Manager on 01708 769488 or, alternatively, you will be contacted shortly by one of our sales staff.

    We hope that we shall be able to provide a permanent local radio service next year and you can help us to achieve this. Your letters of support will greatly assist us in our campaign to bring truly local radio to Billericay, Brentwood and surrounding areas.

    You can also write to us if you have any further queries or you can telephone John Hill, the Station Manager, at the number given below. We look forward to hearing from you.

    Mayflower fm
    Community Radio for Billericay, Brentwood and surrounding areas

    There are a number of ways you can contact mayflower fm:-

    126A High Street, Billericay, Essex. CM12 9DF
    E-Mail Mayflower FM at mayfm@howie.demon.co.uk
    Studio Number :- [ Phone / Fax ] ( ----- ) ------
    General Enquiries :- ( 01708 ) 769488

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