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Andy Parfitt, Controller of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Popular Music, today (29 September 2010) announced that the local ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing shows across 40 ´óÏó´«Ã½ Local Radio stations are to be rebranded as ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing...*.

Speaking to members of the Broadcasting Press Guild, he announced that many of the shows which currently host the name will remain unchanged but that the rebrand will see the entire network come under the same umbrella by the end of October.

Andy Parfitt, Controller, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Popular Music, says: "Our mission is to help discover and nurture new music - and this completes a full ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio link-up from local to national. I hope it proves to be a fantastic opportunity for young UK musicians."

David Holdsworth, Controller, ´óÏó´«Ã½ English Regions, adds: "´óÏó´«Ã½ Local Radio is delighted to be a focus for bands across England enabling them to showcase their music to local audiences. It's a pleasure to be able to offer a service which benefits music lovers and offers local exposure to the bands. From bands such as Manchester's the Tings Tings through to Leeds' Pulled Apart by Horses, we are also proud to be the conduit to success on the musical stage."

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing shows on 40 ´óÏó´«Ã½ Local Radio stations are a key part of the multi-platform initiative, which is also across ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 1, 6Music, Radio 1Xtra, the Asian Network, Switch and at – all working together to showcase the hottest new talent from across the UK.

From discovering the latest indie outfit in Humberside with Alan Raw to new talent in Jersey with Ryan Morrison and all 38 shows in between, these individual shows are vital for highlighting the latest local talent. As well as the essential airplay, they often provide additional platforms such as live studio performance opportunities and live monthly gig nights at local venues.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing Stage, which is now a valued fixture at many of the UK's music festivals, including Glastonbury, T in the Park, Reading and Leeds, has showcased over 600 artists since it was established in 2007.

In addition, as well as hosting the way into these ´óÏó´«Ã½ platforms through the Uploader tool, bbc.co.uk/introducing continues to act as a hub of practical advice and information for new artists wanting to take the next step in the industry, hosting over 100 videos featuring established and upcoming artists, ´óÏó´«Ã½ talent and industry experts including agents and managers, publishers and promoters.

Continuing to offer diverse and unique opportunities, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing initiative has further strengthened throughout this year. It has enjoyed a growing commitment from Radio 1, which gave 10 weeks of playlist support to artists during the summer and the station has promised to feature a ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing act on the playlist every single week from January 2011 - guaranteeing at least three spot plays per week in key daytime programmes.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing has also reached a TV platform through its first ever dedicated programme – Hello Glastonbury!, a documentary for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Four, which followed three artists as they prepared to take the stage at one of the world’s biggest music festivals. The initiative has recently been nominated in the Best Place to Discover New Music category in this year's BT Digital Music Awards.

Notes to Editors

*´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing in Lancashire

´óÏó´«Ã½ Local Radio shows who are part of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing Network but do not currently use this title, for example "Raw Talent" at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Humberside, will be rebranded.

SG