Everybody in the radio industry has likely heard of TM Studios, known for their jingle and production music house.
Few likely knew, however, that Cumulus Media’s Westwood One national radio arm was its parent.
That’s about to change.
A partnership comprised of Creative Director Dave Bethell, Chris “UK” Stevens and GM Greg Clancy has agreed to a purchase agreement that sees it snag TM Studios from Westwood One.
As such, TM will transitions from being a Dallas-based entity to a multi-national company under the newly formed Major Triad Media.
It will use studios in Dallas, Los Angeles and Great Britain, and it’s a transaction finalized on the 30th anniversary of the merger between TM Productions and Century 21 Productions. This created TM Century, a predecessor to TM Studios.
TM Studios will continue to work with Westwood One, with a multi-year agreement to serve as exclusive barter representative to existing clients in place.
“From listening to TM jingles on my local radio station in England when I was a kid to becoming a fan, I’ve always wanted to work for TM,” Bethell said. “Eventually it was the place where I had my big jingle break back in 2005. I’ve written and produced for TM Studios continuously ever since. As co-owner I’m excited to tell the next chapter of TM’s incredible story with our perfect new partnership.”
“I’m so excited to be part of the team to take TM’s legendary name into a new chapter, and from my home country, no less,” Stevens added. “It’s been fifteen years since I originally relocated from London to Dallas to work with TM. It is a dream come true to become part of the new ownership team.”
Clancy shared his own memories.
“I vividly remember watching my dad sing in TM vocal sessions as a kid and had my first vocal session at TM as a 12-year old boy. I began singing for Tom Merriman and Jim Kirk at 23, straight out of college,” he said. “Just imagine what this moment means to me. We are standing on the shoulders of giants and can’t wait to grow and extend the TM legacy. ”
TM was formed as TM Productions by Tom Merriman and Jim in 1967 and has been owned and operated by iconic individuals, such as Roy Disney and Bill Drake. In 1990, TM merged with Century 21 to create jingle and production music superpower TM Century. TM has been owned by the Jones Media group, Triton Radio Networks, Dial Global, and Westwood One.
