Ciarán O'Toole
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Ciarán O'Toole | |
|---|---|
 Ciarán O'Toole in 2016 | |
| Born | October, 1980 (age 43–44)[citation needed] Dublin, Ireland |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Executive |
Ciarán O'Toole (born October, 1980)[citation needed] is an Irish technology entrepreneur active in the music industry, media sector and financial services industry of the United Kingdom. His work has involved technology and product development within various industries.
Early life
[edit]Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, O'Toole spent his childhood in Bray, County Wicklow. He received his education from local schools and played football with Ardmore Rovers in the Dublin and District Schoolboys League.[citation needed]
Career
[edit]O'Toole's career in media began at East Coast Radio (Ireland), where he initially served as a programme producer and presenter. He then assumed an "IT and operations manager" role for East Coast and Sunshine 106.8, following the co-location of the two stations in 2002. [1][failed verification] O'Toole moved to the United Kingdom in 2005 to manage the radio business Q96, after The Wireless Group was acquired by UTV.[2][failed verification]
In 2006, O'Toole advanced his career by joining the Guardian Media Group. There, he became the head of broadcast programming for Real Radio Scotland,[3] and later led the launch of 96.3 Rock Radio in 2007.[citation needed] In 2011, he joined the Bauer Media Group as a strategy consultant. O'Toole began his entrepreneurial journey in 2013 by co-founding his first company, TeamRock, after raising £15 million in private equity funding. The business went on to acquire Classic Rock Magazine and Metal Hammer Magazine from Future Publishing, for £10.2 million,[4] and launch a UK national Radio service on DAB. He operated offices in London and Glasgow, having secured support from Scottish Enterprise. [5] In 2015, he left the TeamRock business to pursue other interests, before the collapse of the business in December 2016.[6] O'Toole was included in the 'BIMA Top 100,' recognising his work in the British media industry.[7]
O'Toole's second venture was a bid to win a commercial FM Broadcasting license advertised for the West of Scotland by OFCOM,[8] in 2016. O'Toole, along with his Rockscot consortium, received backing from notable rock musicians to secure the rights to the license.[9] As a key figure in Glasgow's radio scene,[original research?] O'Toole's efforts were discussed as the city prepared to host BBC's 6 Music Festival.[10] Rock Radio was not launched as originally planned and rebranded to Nation Radio Scotland in 2017.[11]
Ventures beyond media
[edit]As an entrepreneur and intrapreneur, O'Toole has utilised digital technology in his ventures within various industries, including funerals.[12] In 2018, while working as director of product and innovation for Golden Charter, O'Toole launched localfuneral.co.uk, an online platform designed to assist independent family funeral directors.[citation needed] This venture was a response to an increasing threat from private equity-backed directories and referral services in the Funeral Industry.[13].[failed verification]
In 2021, O'Toole co-founded Songbox, alongside Michael Coll and Bryan Adams, a software as a service (SaaS) business for the music industry. The venture drew early backing from recognised industry figures such as Adams.[14][failed verification] The business received coverage from BBC News,[15] Yahoo Lifestyle,[16] and Scottish Television.[17][better source needed]
In 2023, Tannoy, one of the world's oldest loudspeaker brands, appointed O'Toole as chief executive officer.[18][better source needed]
References
[edit]- ^ "Dublin's Country". RadioWaves.fm. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ Conlan, Tara (2005-05-10). "Wireless agrees £97m takeover by UTV". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "Real promotion for Ciarán O'Toole". Radio Today. 2006-11-07. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "TeamRock makes play for big time with cash boost". Herald Scotland. 22 September 2013. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "TeamRock receives £650,000 for new jobs". Radio Today. 2013-10-11. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "TeamRock radio and magazines in administration". BBC News. 2016-12-19. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "BIMA Hot 100 2015". Issuu. BIMA. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "Commercial radio application process: West Central Scotland" (PDF). Ofcom. 2016. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ Ingham, Tim (2017-02-01). "Rock royalty backs Rock Radio Glasgow in FM license bid". Music Week. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "Glasgow's digital radio scene celebrated as city prepares to host BBC's 6 Music Festival". Get Digital Radio. 2020-03-03. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "Nation Radio launches on 96.3FM in Glasgow". Radio Today. 2018-09-12. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "The many sides of digital". SAIF Insight. 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "Being effective online". SAIF Insight. 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "Bryan Adams's Favorite Things 2023". New York Magazine. 2023-02-16. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "Songbox: The tech start-up backed by rocker Bryan Adams". BBC News. 2023-01-20. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "Bryan Adams joins Scottish music start-up Songbox". Yahoo Lifestyle. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "Music legend Bryan Adams joins Scottish tech start-up Songbox as co-founder". STV News. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "Tannoy Welcomes New CEO". Linkedin. Retrieved 2023-12-01.