Radio Plugging South Africa

As an Independent musician, trying to navigate your way through the music industry can be tough. If you are a one man army, it is much tougher. 

If your music is not play listed on radio, the chances of getting booked for gigs or even gaining a large following are slim. Maybe you have tried to submit your music to radio stations but with very little success or maybe you just lack the knowledge and don’t even know where to begin.

Radio plugging is one of the most important components that should be in your music marketing plan.

In the following article we will be looking at radio plugging but particularly in South Africa.   

What is radio plugging?

Radio plugging is basically the process of ensuring that your music is play listed on radio stations – this can include community, regional, commercial and internet radio stations.

Radio pluggers are usually hired by the record labels or independent musicians to secure broadcasting airtime of their behalf.

In most cases radio pluggers have contacts and relationships with station managers, DJ’s, producers, compilers and so on.

Radio Pluggers & Music Agencies in South Africa

If you are currently working on a new single or album, it is in your best interest to set aside a marketing budget aside. And that should include hiring a radio plugger or publicist to push your music.

Sure you can try to market your music on your own. But can you manage to submit national radio stations on your own?

Having said that, let’s look at some companies that provide radio plugging services in South Africa.

Ticky Box Media: Ticky Box Media is a radio plugging, music marketing and PR Agency. They provide services to record labels, bands, Independent musicians and corporate clients. If you have completed projects and don’t know where to start as far as marketing is concerned Ticky Box would be able to assist.

Ian Bredenkamp Media: According to their website, Ian Bredenkamp specializes in music marketing, plugging and PR to radio, streaming, online and TV with a client base including top South African and International stars. Their portfolio includes artists such as Big Zulu, Elvis Blue, Brandy and Anthony Hamilton just to name a few

Melissa Conradie: The Melissa Conradie Agency has been in existence for 18 years and has key relationships with radio, TV, press and social media.

The Plug Music Agency:  The Plug Music Agency team comprises of PR professionals and musicians with over 20 years’ experience in the South Africa music industry.  

Charlie Communications (Pty) Ltd: was founded as a PR and Marketing agency servicing recording artists. They are specifically known for working with Afro and Amapiano genres (but not limited to).

I didn’t know Charlie Communications until I found that they were partly behind the success of TNS. That brought them further media attention and the company has since been on the radar of up and coming artists (Angela Ndlela, Cebo of Durban Nytes fame).

According to their website they offer services such as Brand and events management, Radio and TV plugging, music video shoots, press release, et cetera.

There are no further details on their site with regards to promotions and marketing packages, pricing and so forth. So you will have to do your own research

If you have any enquiries and would like to find out more, visit the website https://charliecommunications.co.za

Additional Resources:

Record companies in South Africa

Before releasing your album independently in SA – Checklist

Top Music Distribution Companies in South Africa