News International signs sponsorship deal with Global Radio

News International has signed a deal with Ashley Tabor's Global Radio that will see its newspapers become key sponsors of programmes on the Capital and Classic FM stations. The Sun will sponsor the Capital FM breakfast show as well as advertorial features in its Big Top 40 Sunday afternoon chart rundown, while Classic FM's More Music Breakfast will be broadcast in partnership with the Times and Sunday Times. Other tie-ups between the two groups include the Heart network's Club Classics Friday evening show, with the Sun and Fabulous magazine, and talk station LBC 97.3, which will run special features, news round-ups and advertorials with the Times and Sunday Times. The partnership was described as long term in Monday's announcement and is expected to last at least six months. News International chief marketing officer Katie Vanneck-Smith said the Global stations were a perfect fit and it was a like-minded company. Mike Gordon, Global Radio's commercial managing director, said: "This is the first time that Global Radio and News International have joined forces on such a scale to reinforce their respective positions as the largest commercial radio group and the leading newspaper publisher in the UK."