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Draft article on Radio Advertising Inc.

Radio Advertising Inc.
Radio Advertising Inc. (RAI) is a company with over 50 years of experience in Media, Advertising, and Community Service. It is Headquartered in the Greater Chicago Area. In its 50 plus year history they have produced and sold several million ads for more than 7,500 radio stations throughout the country.

Founded by Robert Berman in 1963. Radio Advertising partners with radio stations across the country providing businesses custom designed scripts on FM & AM radio and internet streaming. Their advertising campaigns are solely focused on helping raise awareness of key community issues. Their campaigns have highlighted issues such as Breast Cancer Awareness, anti Drug Abuse, Black History Month, Salute to Troops, Child Abuse Awareness, and Prom and Graduation Safety.

History
In 1962 with radio at the height of its popularity and the demand for good salespeople high, Robert Berman a young “Yellow Pages” salesman from Chicago took his sales skills and moved into the radio broadcast industry. He began selling advertising for a local radio station, WYNR.

The next summer in 1963, Robert went off on his own and opened a small media company called Roberts Advertising, located on the Northside of Chicago. Robert signed up his first radio station in Elkhart, Indiana. In the late 60’s, the cost to conduct business over the telephone in other states were expensive and cost prohibitive. One week at a time, Bob and a small crew of sales reps went on the road visiting a handful of Midwestern towns. Once settled in to their hotel, the “Road Crew” as they were known, would sell local advertising to businesses for the stations they were contracted with.

It quickly became clear there was a large demand for good salespeople and many local stations simply did not have the money or sales personnel to meet the demand. As technology improved in the 70’s, it became a lot easier and cost effective to sell by telephone from a central location. Roberts Advertising moved to a larger facility in Chicago and opened its first national sales office. In 1983, Roberts Advertising consolidated several of its companies into one and named it Radio Advertising Inc., also known as RAI.

Today
RAI is under the same ownership, and has future goals to continuously expand its North-side location.