Year: 2025

Freedom Media Group has appointed Joanne Beswick as Growth Consultant, continuing its expansion with a focus on delivering innovative, multi-platform marketing strategies.

Joanne will work closely with clients across the UK and internationally to develop tailored campaigns designed to meet specific business goals. Based in Marple Bridge, Freedom Media Group has partnered with organisations ranging from Lexus and Thames Valley Police to Puttshack and LMA, providing bespoke, results-driven marketing solutions.
With 15 years of experience in the media industry, including roles at The Guardian Media Group and Clear Channel UK, Joanne brings a strong background in performance analysis and strategic optimisation.
She said: “I’m thrilled to join FMG, a team full of energy, expertise, and passion for helping clients succeed. Media never stands still, and neither do I, so I’m excited to rise to this new challenge and keep evolving with this fast-changing industry.”
Dan Thompson, founder and Managing Director of Freedom Media Group, said: “Our business is founded on delivering outstanding client service and world-class strategic thinking. Jo embodies these values and will be focused on driving new business development both here in the UK and internationally.”
Freedom Media Group continues to grow its team and expand its presence in both national and global markets, strengthening its position as a trusted partner for creative marketing and media strategy.

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West Somerset Radio has been found in breach of its Ofcom licence for failing to broadcast since May last year.

The Minehead-based community station, operated by West Somerset Community Radio C.I.C., went silent on 31 May 2024 after running into financial difficulties and has not returned to air since.
In Ofcom’s Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin (Issue 531, 6 October 2025), the regulator confirmed that the station is in breach of Licence Condition 2(1) for failing to provide its licensed service.
West Somerset Radio told Ofcom it ceased operations when its bank accounts were frozen and the station became unable to meet costs such as studio rent. The directors said the decision to stop broadcasting was “entirely unintentional” and that they initially explored transferring the licence to a new entity before deciding to restore the existing operation instead.
The station said it has since secured new transmission hardware through a donation from a local engineering contractor and is working with volunteers and former presenters to relaunch the service. Internet and power connections are being reinstated, and an engineer was booked to complete installation work in September. The station now expects to return to air by the end of this year.
Ofcom acknowledged the station’s voluntary status and efforts to resume service but noted concern that listeners have been without the community station for more than a year. The regulator said it will monitor progress and expects West Somerset Radio to provide regular updates on its plans to restart broadcasts.

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Capital Breakfast presenters Jordan North and Sian Welby have shared how their station’s music programmer was offered a security guard and told to collect a laptop from a locked safe at 4am to load Taylor Swift’s new album without risk of leaks.

Speaking on Capital Breakfast, Sian explained: “Normally a file gets sent and uploaded to our system, but that wasn’t the case this time.”
Jordan added that when he arrived at 5.30am, he found music programmer Chris Chilvers already there after staying overnight in a hotel near Global’s London HQ. Chris had been asked to collect a secure laptop containing Taylor’s album from a vault in the boss’s office and manually load it into Capital’s system at 4am, minutes before the album was officially released.
Jordan said: “I’ve just been told Chris was offered a security guard in case something happened to him on the way. That’s amazing!” Sian added: “That’s MI5 level stuff. It’s unbelievable.”
The pair also revealed that Taylor’s long-time publicist, Tree Paine, personally brought a physical iPod to Global’s Leicester Square offices the day before the interview to let them hear seven tracks in a secure room. Sian said: “She literally had the tracks on an iPod with a headphone splitter. We were all sat there with headphones on listening, and we weren’t even sure if we were allowed to take notes.”
Jordan explained that the level of secrecy was unlike anything they had ever seen: “It was so top secret. We couldn’t even mention it in meetings or write it down anywhere.”
Taylor’s interview aired on Capital Breakfast as part of her promotional run following the release of her latest album, with the tight security measures showing the extraordinary lengths taken to prevent leaks ahead of one of the biggest pop releases of the year.

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Global has launched a new video-first content division called Global Studios, bringing together its growing family of podcasts under one creative hub.

The new division will house Global’s established titles such as The News Agents and My Therapist Ghosted Me, alongside shows from The Fellas Studios, which Global has now acquired.
Founded in 2021 by YouTubers Callum Airey (Calfreezy) and Josh Larkin (The Burnt Chip), The Fellas Studios produces hit shows including The Fellas, Saving Grace and Pitchside, and is known for building standout studio-based podcasts that attract Gen Z audiences across YouTube and streaming platforms.
Ashley Tabor-King, Global’s Founder and Executive President, said the new division marks “the start of the next chapter of Global’s on-demand audio and video content growth.”
He added: “We’re delighted to welcome The Fellas Studios to the Global family. Cal, Josh and Elliot have built one of the UK’s leading creator networks with engaging shows loved by millions.”
Global Studios will act as a one-stop-shop for creators and advertisers, combining studio space, distribution and marketing under one roof. The setup includes advanced production facilities, access to Global’s radio, digital and outdoor platforms, and commercial opportunities through its ad exchange, DAX.

Group CEO Simon Pitts said the new hub aims to “build a launchpad for the next generation of media brands,” while Callum Airey described the partnership as “a chance to scale and enhance what we can deliver,” adding that Global’s expertise will help take their work “to the next level.”
Global says the move strengthens its ambition to be the home of standout podcast content in the UK and internationally, creating opportunities for both established names and rising creators.

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