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Sit back, relax and enjoy the sound of APR...

It used to be the case that would-be DJs auditioned for the big time on hospital radio, spinning tunes for a captive audience on the wards. Today, if you want to build a reputation as a rock jock, financial services is the place to be.

Every bank has a studio a bit like that 'ISA ISA baby' one that the Halifax show on the telly. In fact, every time I go into a branch, there's in-store radio playing in the background which must drive the staff truly round the bend. A few days ago, the presenter on HSBC FM was recounting her weekend to me as I waited to pay in a cheque. The monologue went something like this:

"I was out sunbathing over Easter and I felt a bit guilty, as all my neighbours were out doing DIY and home improvement. They were working hard and there was I just relaxing and enjoying myself. Well, if you're thinking of some home improvement, why not talk to HSBC etc etc blah blah blah..."

Do you think the people who read these scripts dare to show their faces in public? What do they tell their friends they do for a living?

On the other hand, I really ought to do some home improvement.

Next up it's Tears for Fears.

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  1. Anonymous3:39 PM

    Really want to know? :)

    They go to little studios in the West End run by companies who make 'retail radio' stations for large fees, do a whole week's worth of wittering in six hours, and pocket four times as much as the same amount of 'real' radio work pays.

    And they are usually people who were recently in student radio, or local radio presenters who moonlight without telling you their names.

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