FBi Radio saved View Comments
It’s official – FBi Radio (Free Broadcasting incorporated) have been saved.
Sydney’s largest community radio broadcaster fell in some tough times earlier in the year. In the first quarter, revenue was down by half due to the GFC, and things were looking grim.
That’s when someone came up with the ingenious, and now infamous, ‘Ask Richard’ campaign, and through unparalleled support from the music and art industry, the station have been able to raise approximately $487,000. That figure is still half of the original ambitious target, but it sets FBi up for the immediate future at the very least, and a debt-free one at that.
This is awesome work by all involved, starting with the guys at Naked Comms and Frank PR who gave pro bono help to launch the Ask Richard campaign, to the station staff who continue to give their time and effort all for free, and all the passionate listeners who got involved by spreading the word and attending the numerous fundraising events.
A statement from FBi general manager, Evan Kaldor:
Ask Richard was a phenomenal success and generated substantial local, national and even international press coverage. FBi achieved an unprecedented level of media awareness and with the help of our listeners, created some great stunts to attract Richard?s attention. The campaign culminated with Sir Richard coming on air on June 15th and he generously donated two grand prizes for our supporter drive. The Supporter Drive ran through to mid July and raised over $245,000 for the station.
By the numbers
Support drive – $245,000
Save FBi gigs (25 events, 130 bands) – $195,000
FBi Art auction – $47,000
Total money raised = approx $487,000
It’s official – FBi Radio have been saved.