What is the cost for distributing my commercial(s)?

We are able to offer very competitive rates and are willing to negotiate volume discounts where necessary. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this further.

How do I know if IMD can reach all the stations on my media schedule?

IMD is linked, via a wide-area network and IMD's Web Delivery Service to ALLnational, regional & community radio stations throughout the UK & Ireland.

Please refer to our Radio Stations page for a list of UK & Irish stations covered by IMD, plus a full breakdown of stations that each IMD terminal covers.

If you have any queries about the stations on your media schedule or are unsure about the bookings procedure & deadlines, please contact the Radio Department on 020 7468 6600.

How do I place an order?

You can place an order by using the IMD online Booking Wizard. If you haven't used our website before and you don't have any user details, please contact the Radio Department on 020 7468 6600. It takes seconds to set up a user account for you and the team are ready to guide you through any queries you may have.

Can you take care of my copy rotations?

Yes, we can create your copy rotations for a very competitive price, please call the Radio Department for more information on 020 7468 6600.

Does my script need to be approved by the RACC?

Yes, all scripts must be approved by the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC) prior to the recording of the script. IMD will not distribute commercials without prior approval from the RACC.

Upon RACC script approval a number will be issued & broadcast regulations may be given. These must be supplied with the script when placing an order.

Please visit the RACC website (www.crca.co.uk).

Do I need to send separate paperwork for each station and split frequencies?

No, if a commercial is booked on all stations it is not necessary to provide separate paperwork or audio for each station. Generic paperwork is sufficient. This rule applies to split frequencies as well.

How do I supply copy to IMD?

Audio can be sent to us in a variety of ways. The quickest and easiest method by far is via our FTP site (Call us on 020 7468 6600 to set up an account). We require standard WAV files at 44.1 KHz 16 bit. Each file should be labelled with the ad title and slated if possible. If you are sending multiple commercials they must be sent as separate files. The audio should not peak above -10dB or PPM 6. We can also accept audio on DAT, CD Audio/CD-ROM (Using the above specification) or via ISDN.

Audio must not be over/under the specified duration including any decay and if sent to us on a DAT or via ISDN should have a 1KHz line-up tone at 0dB / PPM4 with each ad clearly slated. Our IMD Studio Engineers will QC your audio on arrival and report any problems promptly.

You must also supply a station list/media schedule, rotation instructions (airtime details), consignment note (complete with music details if applicable) & RACC stamped approved scripts.

Please refer to our What To Supply page for full details, examples and deadlines.

How do I know if a station has received my commercial?

We will send you a verification report via email once all stations have received copy. This information is also accessible in your order history, via our secure password protected website.

How do I alert stations to campaign or rotation changes?

IMD is able to inform stations of campaign or commercial changes by distributing 'Text Only' updates to stations. Agency paperwork is imported and supplied by email, via the dedicated IMD PC. The PC provides audio notification & screen alerts to advise stations of new instructions. 'Text Only' jobs are verified in the same way as standard jobs.

How long do stations hold copy?

The stations hold copy on their IMD machine for 90 days from the date of distribution. If copy is to be re-used for a later burst you can request stations retain a copy of your commercial on their playout system, however you would need to confirm this with the individual stations.

If you need to re-supply copy after the 3 month period, a charge will be incurred at the standard rate.

IMD has a digital archive of all commercials we have distributed since 2001.

What deadlines apply and what are IMD's hours of operation?

Stations require rotation instructions as early as possible in the day prior to transmission in order to run their logs, however during busy periods, particularly Fridays & holiday periods, we advise you to allow more time.

IMD recommends that audio is with us for distribution by 4pm at the latest for the next day's airtime.

Some stations will charge a late copy fee for last minute amendments to campaigns requiring the traffic department to work after hours. Please contact the relevant stations for rates.

Please note that IMD also charge a late copy rate for any instructions/copy received after 1pm on Friday for a campaign on air that weekend or Monday.

The IMD Radio Department operates from 09:00 to 18:30 Monday to Friday, however we are flexible so if you have an urgent job or need to arrange a last minute amendment please call us on 020 7468 6600.

Please refer to our Deadlines page for further details.

How can I keep track of my previous jobs?

You can view your job history within the secure client area on the website. Your order history will provide you with a list of your previous jobs, including advertiser and product details, ident numbers and the stations where copy has been delivered. You can also see the date and time that each station received and first actioned the audio. Additionally, you may listen to a review version of the commercial.

What happens if I need to cancel an order?

You can cancel an order at anytime. However, if we have already completed the job and the commercial has been sent to the stations, then you will be invoiced at your normal rate.

How do you invoice?

We invoice on a job by job basis. You will receive a paper invoice listing campaign details. We require payment within 30 days.

We have also introduced online invoicing, a service you can access via your online order history. We provide you with initial costs, confirmed costs and a PDF of your invoice once available.

We send out statements on a monthly basis.

What is the Newslink/Sky News package?

Both IRN and Sky News offer solus spots in breaks across their networks of commercial stations. All commercials are positioned within the news bulletins.

For further details please contact the Radio Department on 020 7468 6600.

Where can I obtain a copy of a radio commercial?

The Radio Advertising Bureau maintains a website of radio commercials for private study and for people within the industry. Commercials can be downloaded free of charge from the website for reference purposes.

If you have a question which is not listed here, then please do not hesitate to call the Radio Department on 020 7468 6600. Alternatively, email radio@imdplc.com