Former Mix Program Director Sam Zniber has been appointed vice-president of programming at French radio group Lagardère Active Radio International (LARI) amidst industry speculation of further expansion from the international radio company.
Sam Zniber will report directly to CEO Jean-Christophe Lestra and will be based at LARI’s Paris headquarters. He takes over from Thierry Chamoux and is expected to join within the next few weeks.
In his new role Zniber will be in charge of the group’s definition, implementation and coordination of programming strategies and broadcasting marketing worldwide.
Jean-Christophe Lestra has told radioinfo he is “pleased that such a talented executive” has agreed to join the company. “Sam’s arrival strengthens LARI’s team and will allow us to accelerate our international expansion and contribute to Lagardère Active Media’s growth.”
Asked specifically whether Australia features in the company’s expansion strategy, spokesperson Laurence Dupre told radioinfo: “It is not part of the plan today and Australia is not a priority, though we do not exclude the idea.”
LARI is an affiliate of French media group Lagardère Active Media. It is present in seven countries through 22 radio stations, listened to by more than 33 million daily listeners. LARI is the number one radio broadcaster in Eastern Europe.
The Lagardère group generated 70% of its revenue through international activities in 2005. 57% of the employees of the media division (31,324 people) work outside France. Lagardère stations are in Eastern Europe, Germany and South Africa, and the group’s new-media activities lead the market in Germany (with Legion GmbH) and the US (with BlingTones).
Zniber started his career in 1986 at NRJ Group as a producer, radio presenter and production manager. In 1997, he joined RTL Group in Paris as program manager of youth-oriented TV channel Fun-TV. In 1998, he was appointed Program manager for French CHR
network Fun Radio.
In 2001, he moved to the United Kingdom, becoming Program Director for Chrysalis Group’s stations in Manchester Galaxy 102 and Galaxy 105-106 in Newcastle. In 2003, he joined ARN as Program Director for Mix FM. In 2005, he moved back to France and was appointed Program General Manager & Deputy Managing Director for RTL Group’s Fun Radio and RTL2.