People
MuxCo Ltd was created by Folder Media to work with local radio partners and bid for local DAB digital radio licences.
Gregory Watson
Gregory founded MuxCo and is Folder Media’s Managing Director. Gregory graduated from the University of Exeter in 1986 with a degree in Accountancy studies, and commenced his career with KPMG Peat Marwick as a trainee accountant, where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1990.
In 1991, he moved to the Radio Authority as Deputy Head of Finance. In 1998, Gregory joined GWR Group plc as Head of Special Projects, with responsibility for looking at all new analogue and digital opportunities. In this capacity, Gregory was involved in the submission by the group, along with key partners, for the application to run the national digital radio multiplex Digital One, and played a significant role in the pre-operational period of that multiplex prior to its launch in November 1999. In 2001, Gregory was promoted to Group Corporate Development Director; a role under which he oversaw GWR’s strategic development in new media alongside the development of local and regional analogue and digital radio licences. Gregory played a central role in the merger of Capital Radio plc and GWR Group plc which lead to the formation of GCap Media plc in May 2005.
In 2007, recognising that a significant proportion of the radio industry was being left behind by digital advancements, not because they were unable to take an active role but often were not encouraged to do so, Gregory left GCap Media to provide digital media advice to smaller radio and media companies.
Deanna Hallett
Deanna Hallett has more than 35 years experience in marketing and research. Her career began in 1972 at NOP working on audience and programming research with the first wave of radio licence applicants.
She developed her radio research skills at Independent Radio Sales where she ran a mini RAB working with advertisers, agencies and client radio stations to improve the position of radio within the media and specifically with agencies to heighten their knowledge and understanding of planning, buying and researching radio. With IRS client radio stations she advised in all areas of programming research, sales product knowledge training and station marketing. She was appointed to the board as Marketing and Research Director in 1982.
Deanna set up Hallett Arendt in 1986 to work with radio stations in sales training, programming research and all aspects of station marketing having launched Essex FM as the first format driven station in the UK.
At NOP, she was instrumental in developing the now established radio diary research methodology and has sat on the industry research committee since its inauguration.
Today, Deanna is acknowledged as one of the top licence consultants in the country, with Hallett Arendt holding a record of unparalleled success, both in the UK and Ireland. They have worked as part of the winning teams for Classic FM - the first Independent National radio station - and Digital One - the first national digital radio multiplex operator. They also have successfully worked on a host of local and regional analogue licences as well as the new generation of digital services, again, both local and regional.
Matt Deegan
Matt Deegan’s radio career started at university where he was the Station Manager at Royal Holloway’s student radio station, Insanity. He developed Insanity from being a twice-yearly RSL broadcaster into a full-time AM radio station.
In 2000 Matt joined the Radio Academy, the cross-industry organisation, where he worked to expand and develop the Academy’s member services. He still helps out the Academy and has spoken at ‘Masterclass’ events and was a producer for the youth-focused Fast Track scheme at the 2004 Radio Festival. He also acts as co-producer for the cross-industry Sony Radio Awards’ annual webcast.
Matt joined GWR in 2001 as Group Corporate Development Executive with responsibilities for analogue and digital radio applications. Whilst at GCap, Matt oversaw the process of renewal of 24 of the group’s existing FM licences, and was involved in bids for 16 new FM licences and 14 digital multiplexes, concluding with managing the successful application submitted by XFM for the South Wales FM licence. Matt was closely involved in the day to day operations of GCap’s local multiplex business, Now Digital, in particular managing the process of new services joining its multiplexes. Matt also represented GCap on a number of its multiplex companies, including CE Digital and MXR. Matt was a graduate of GCap’s Programme Controller School and in 2004 was recognised as “One to Watch” by Broadcast magazine.
Following the formation of GCap Media in May 2005, Matt continued in his role of developing new creative opportunities. This included helping to develop and launch mood-based station Chill and the innovative children’s service FUN radio, as well as GCap’s non-branded podcast system – Creation Podcasts. Matt also helped develop Xfm’s regional digital strategy, in particular creating its content and sales localisation plans across the UK. Throughout his time at GCap, Matt acted as a senior regulatory advisor for the company’s analogue and digital operations due to his strong knowledge of Ofcom’s processes and decision-making.
Matt left GCap Media in April 2007 to join Folder Media Ltd as an investor and director. Matt’s role within Folder Media is to assist the company’s overall corporate development, application and ongoing research, provide liaison with service provider and undertake external relationships. Matt also oversees Folder Media’s developments in the internet, in particular assisting smaller companies to develop platforms and presence in the new media world.
Nicky Tate
Nicky Tate is Folder Media’s Operations Manager. Nicky was formally Multiplex Manager for GCap Media’s local multiplex network – NOWdigital.
Nicky has worked in commercial radio for over 14 years, specialising in DAB multiplex network management for the last 6 years.
At Birmingham University, Nicky was a key member of the launch team for the very first broadcasts of student station “Burn FM” in 1995. In 2004 she gained a Gold award from the Institute of Customer Services, entitling her to Practitioner Status.
Her grounding in radio began in 1993 as a general assistant at Veale Associates, the bespoke studio designers and project managers who were responsible for the award-winning studios at Classic FM and Virgin 1215, amongst others.
After 2 years as a station administrator, Nicky joined the inaugural digital content team at GWR in 1999, developing interactive content for digital stations Core, Planet Rock and The Storm. Since 2001 Nicky has overseen the transmission planning and design of over 19 multiplexes, as well as project managing the installation of service providers and being the operational liaison for all multiplex clients and for the transmission subcontractor Arqiva. Nicky has also represented her multiplex companies in relation to technical and regulatory matters at Ofcom.