• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, April 8, 2008

The Radio Advertising Bureau continued shuffling personnel on Monday, with the appointment of John Potter as vice president for interactive revenue development, a new title for the organization. The appointment comes not long after the company announced a big reorganization of its marketing and communications structure, with the goal of making radio more competitive versus other media, in part by touting its new online offerings.

In his new role, Potter--previously vice president of educational services--will still have a pedagogical task. He must develop information and resources that will help radio stations develop and sell advertising against interactive content. Potter is also continuing as director of the RAB's "Training Academy."

Last week, the RAB announced a restructuring that involves dividing its marketing operation into two separate groups: a business development unit dedicated to key advertisers, and a new marketing and communications department. The marketing and communications department is headed by Leah Kamon, who is joining the RAB as senior vice president. In this capacity, Kamon will coordinate all the RAB's divisions and initiatives into a single, cohesive marketing effort.

As part of the restructuring, Mary Bennett, the executive vice president for national marketing, is leaving the company.

This push to coordinate RAB's efforts comes not long after Katz Advantage doubled the number of sales personnel in its marketing and business development unit--part of a concerted push to better communicate the radio platform's advantages to advertisers. Many took the move in early February as a sign that big broadcasters were dissatisfied with RAB's performance, as the industry contends both with a softening economy and an apparent secular downturn.