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Ralph Guild is Chairman of the Board for Interep the largest independent national sales and marketing organization specializing in radio the Internet and new media.
Mr. Guild joined McGavren Radio a radio advertising representation firm based in San Francisco in the late 1950s and shortly thereafter opened up the company’s first east coast office in New York. During the early 1960’s the company grew steadily by filling the void created when most radio rep firms defected to television sales. Then the company was renamed McGavren Guild and Guild was then named President and COO in the late 60's.
In 1981 Mr. Guild created Interep Radio as the holding company for what he envisioned as being a group of independently-operated radio rep firms united under a single corporate umbrella. It has since become the standard operating structure for radio and television rep companies.
In 1986 under Mr. Guild’s stewardship Interep launched Group W Radio Sales the first independent rep firm dedicated exclusively to one broadcast group which ultimately became CBS Radio Sales. Other dedicated rep companies created by Interep include ABC Radio Sales. In the early 1990s Interep implemented Radio 2000 the new business development program which for the first time required radio sales executives to call directly on advertiser decision-makers exclusively to grow the medium’s share of total advertising dollars. In the late 90’s formed Interep Interactive an online advertising and streaming media division. Early this year Interep Interactive merged with Cybereps a premium online ad sales and marketing firm to form the first interactive marketing and integrated media sales and web publishing company.
Mr. Guild has been the recipient of numerous industry awards. He was inducted into Broadcasting & Cable Magazine’s Hall of Fame in 1991. In 1998 he received the Golden Mike Award from the Broadcasters Foundation for outstanding contributions to the radio industry. That same year Mr. Guild was inducted into the Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame. He was also the recipient of the 1999 UJA-Federation’s Radio Group Award for his achievements in radio. In 2000 Howard University honored Mr. Guild for his support of its Communications Graduates and for his pioneering work in creating diversity in the national rep industry. In addition the Black Broadcasters Alliance selected Mr. Guild as its 2001 Golden Mike Award honoree for his efforts in supporting African Americans in attaining their career goals and financial success. Most recently he received one of the broadcasting industry’s highest honors from the International Radio and Television Society The 2001 Gold Medal.
In addition Mr. Guild finds time for a variety of pro bono activities. He is a trustee of the University of the Pacific where he received an honorary doctorate degree. He is also a trustee of the Museum of Television and Radio in New York and Los Angeles.
Mr. Guild and his wife Calla have 5 children and 17 grandchildren. | 