John Myers (radio executive) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Myers
John Myers at the Radio Festival 2008
Born	11 April 1959 Carlisle, Cumberland, England, United Kingdom
Died	1 June 2019(2019-06-01) (aged 60)
Other names	John Morgan (on-air pseudonym)
Occupation	Radio executive
Partner(s)	Linda

John Myers (born 11 April 1959 – died 1 June 2019) was a very important person in British radio. He was a radio boss, an advisor, and a presenter. He owned his own company called Myers Media.

John helped create the popular Century Radio stations in the 1990s. He even presented shows using the name "John Morgan." Later, he became the boss of GMG Radio. There, he helped grow big radio brands like Real Radio, Smooth Radio, and Rock Radio. He also led the company when it bought the Century network.

From 2011 to 2012, he was the chief executive of The Radio Academy. In 2009, the government asked him to write a report about the future of local radio in the UK. Many of his ideas were used in a new law, which helped radio stations work together more easily.

Starting in Radio

John Myers began his radio journey in 1980. He worked at BBC Radio Cumbria as a station assistant. He was the first person there to play country music on air. He also produced and presented many music shows.

In 1982, he became a presenter for Red Rose Radio. Then, in 1984, he moved to Radio Tees. By 1989, he was in charge of programmes and presented the breakfast show at Red Rose Gold.

While working in radio, John also joined Border Television in 1985. He was a continuity announcer, which means he introduced shows. He also presented a popular segment called "Border Birthdays" with a puppet named Eric the Monkey. He worked in TV for four years before going back to Red Rose Radio in 1989.

In 1993, John became the managing director of Border Radio Holdings. He helped launch a new local radio station called CFM. He presented the breakfast show, a Friday night phone-in, and a Sunday show called 'fun on the phones'.

Creating Century Radio

In September 1994, John Myers launched Century Radio in North East England. He presented the breakfast show again, but this time he used the name John Morgan. He even released a tape of funny "wind-ups" (pranks) from his show. He also co-presented other shows, like the Sunday "Fun on the Phones."

When John stopped presenting the breakfast show, the number of listeners went down. He returned for another year before someone else took over in 1997.

After that, John left the North East. In 1997, he launched 106 Century FM in the East Midlands. A year later, a BBC television documentary called Trouble at the Top showed the launch of 105.4 Century FM in North West England.

Leading GMG Radio (1999–2008)

John Myers joined Guardian Media Group (GMG) when they decided to get into commercial radio. The former GMG boss, Sir Robert Phillis, asked John to build their radio division. He had seen John on the TV show Trouble at the Top.

In 1999, John became the managing director of GMG Radio. He helped them get their first radio licence for Real Radio (Wales), which started in 2000. John brought back his "Fun on the Phones" show, still as John Morgan.

He became the chief executive of GMG Radio in 2002. In 2006, he joined the board of directors for the whole Guardian Media Group. In 2006, GMG Radio bought the two remaining Century stations. This meant John was now in charge of the radio brand he had started back in 1994.

During his nine years at GMG Radio, the company grew a lot. They got four new radio licences and bought several other stations.

In 2007, John helped launch the Smooth Radio brand. These were the first major commercial stations in the UK aimed at adults aged 40 to 59. The existing Smooth FM and Saga stations became Smooth Radio. They also launched a new Smooth Radio station in the North East in 2008. Soon after, they launched a second Rock Radio station in Manchester.

Later Career and Legacy

In 2009, the government asked John Myers to review commercial radio in the UK. He suggested that local radio stations could produce their news from one main building. This would help stations save money. Many of his ideas were included in the Digital Economy Act 2010. These changes led to stations like Smooth Radio merging their English stations into one big station.

In 2010, John became the chairman of Radio Tyneside. This is a hospital radio station that serves patients in Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead.

The BBC also asked John to review how efficient their radio stations were. In 2011, he looked at Radio 1, 1Xtra, 6 Music, and Radio 2. Later that year, he advised the BBC on how their local radio stations could save money.

John became the chief executive of The Radio Academy in April 2011. He left this role in June 2012. Through his company, Myers Media, he sometimes returned to the radio as John Morgan. He even worked as a consultant and presenter for a radio station in Spain.

In 2012, he became a visiting professor at the University of Cumbria. The university also gave him an honorary fellowship. His book about his radio career, TEAM – It's only radio, was published in October 2012.

Awards and Recognition

John Myers received a Fellowship in 2005 from The Radio Academy. This was to honour his important contributions to radio. In 2010, he got an outstanding achievement award from The Radio Centre for his long work in commercial radio. He was also a former chairman of The Radio Academy. In 2012, he was one of only 40 people added to the Radio Centre's roll of honour.

Family Life

John Myers had two children, Kerry and Scott. He also had two grandchildren, Mia and Marcus. His son, Scott, also worked in radio as a producer for various stations.

John Myers passed away on 1 June 2019.