Interep is the result of over 50 years of innovation, service and remarkable growth. The core of the Interep concept began when Ralph Guild accepted the challenge to open a New York city office for Daren McGavren Radio, a regional rep firm based on the West coast. As the company steadily grew, it was renamed McGavren Guild Radio. In 1970, in a move considered revolutionary for the time, McGavren Guild Radio was sold to its employees through a Stock Ownership Plan which remains in effect today.

An Idea Is Born

By 1980 Interep was formed to umbrella McGavren Guild Radio with an aggressive expansion plan. The concept, already successfully pioneered by advertising agencies, was to create or buy other rep firms so Interep could handle competitive accounts.

The wildly successful outcome resulted in many others scrambling to create the same business model. Expansion throughout the '80s culminated in the creation of Group W Radio Sales to represent Westinghouse stations nationally. It was the first time a single rep firm was dedicated to a single broadcast group. It became the model for the industry. Thanks to constant innovation, initiative and service, Interep became the largest radio rep company in the industry.

Preparing For The Future

In the '90s Interep launched another revolution: the Interep Marketing Group. Its lofty goal was to increase radio's share of total advertising expenditures. Since its inception it has generated over a billion dollars in new revenue for national radio.

The Telecom Bill of 1996 spurred an increase in ownership consolidation and helped Interep make history again. By 1997, Infinity and Westinghouse radio stations, both represented by Interep, were owned by CBS. Early that year, CBS consolidated the representation of its stations into a new company with Interep as its exclusive national sales rep. Now called CBS Radio Sales, it became the highest billing national rep organization in the history of radio.

In 1999, Interep brought its half-century of experience as a media rep innovator to the world of the internet. By establishing Interep Interactive, Interep was able to provide its 2000 client radio stations, advertising agencies and marketers with a single source for two powerful - and synergistic - media.

Going Public

As the largest independent national radio rep firm in the country, Interep became a publicly traded company in 2000.

The year also produced several important new alliances. Interep Interactive and iBEAM Broadcasting formed a strategic partnership that gave Interep's clients new advertising opportunities in live and on-demand audio content.

Radiowave.com chose Interep Interactive as its exclusive representative to sell iSpots on the company's network of streaming audio sites.

Expanding Capabilities

Interep's ability to capitalize on emerging trends continues to offer client stations more opportunities for revenue.

In 2001, Interep Interactive merged with Cybereps, a premium online ad sales and marketing company. The combined power of this new organization led to further acquisitions, including Perfect Circle Media, a new-media advertising sales company serving the financial industry.

Interep's RadioExchange® also began a partnership with FastChannel's SpotTaxi to integrate services and add convenience by streamlining the tedious workflow processes of radio campaigns. Building on this success, Interep introduced the radio industry's first national spot radio electronic invoicing and verification system.

In 2002, Interep and the Spanish Broadcasting System launched SBS/Interep to more efficiently market Spanish language and Hispanic stations to national advertisers.

Building Bridges To Tomorrow

Interep reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to education and professional development in 2003 when it announced a new $1 million investment in training. Interep University ensures a useful curriculum by enlisting leaders in the fields of marketing, promotions, sales, management and education as visiting professors.

In November 2005, Interep announces the formation of its first television sales division, Azteca America Spot Television Sales, a Hispanic television rep firm. The newly formed company will serve Azteca's affiliates, the second-largest producer of Spanish-language television programming in the world and reaches more than 70% of U.S. Hispanics in 50 markets.

In December 2005, Winstar Interactive strengthens its focus on site-specific representation by consolidating Cybereps and Perfect Circle Media within the Winstar group. In addition, Interep Interactive forms Gamma Ray Media, a full-service interactive sales and marketing company specializing in selling remnant inventory at a lower cost to publishers than most online ad networks. And IVN, Interactive Video Network, begins selling online advertising for streaming video.

Focused on the Success of Radio

In 2005, Interep created $84 million in new business for our industry. In addition, we continue to work with our radio partners to find new ways to integrate radio with the emerging array of new entertainment technologies in order to expand and grow our medium.