BT has partnered with Hits Radio Pride to create Hits Radio Pride Future Star, a campaign to find the next voice in radio and launch their career through Bauer Media’s dedicated LGBTQ+ station.

The partnership builds on BT’s commitment and long history of supporting diversity and the LGBTQ+ community, including adopting the UN’s Standards of Conduct within the workplace, its growing and active allies community, and sponsoring Pride in London.

The campaign begins on Saturday 28th August, the one-year anniversary of the station. Launched last year as the first dedicated LGBTQ+ radio station in the UK by a major broadcaster, the station has grown from strength to strength, with reach growing by 279% since launch.

Listeners and budding presenters looking to get their foot into the industry will be able to apply to win the chance to present their own show on Hits Radio Pride. All they will need to do is record and submit a short audition clip on the Hits Radio Pride website, giving the station a taste of their presenting skills.

In addition to the Future Star campaign, BT will be the station’s lead partner and sponsor for the next six months, running branded idents, brand story trails and a series of audio vignettes that will be embedded into the fabric of the station. Trails will also run across the full Hits Radio Network over the Bank Holiday, promoting the launch of the Future Star competition.

Paul Gerrard, Programme Director, Hits Radio, said: “We’re so excited to be celebrating our first birthday at Hits Radio Pride and what better way to mark the occasion than with BT and launching our biggest campaign yet! At Bauer Media we recognise the importance of creating opportunities for people from all walks of life to get into the industry, which is why we knew we wanted to launch a competition like Future Star and give someone the chance to host their own show and kick start their career.”

Simon Kilby, Managing Director, Bauer Media Advertising, added: “We were proud to launch the first LGBTQ+ commercial radio station in the UK and are so pleased of what Hits Radio Pride has achieved this year; from creating award-winning content to providing a platform for the community to speak out. This new partnership with BT will allow us to create even more brilliant content for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, helping BT to authentically connect with such a passionate audience.”

Pete Jeavons, Marketing Communications Director at BT, said: “This fantastic partnership opportunity builds on our support of the LGBTQ+ community. At BT, we are dedicated to connecting people to the things that they love, and as lead sponsor of Hits Radio Pride, we are thrilled to be playing a part in providing budding Future Stars within the community the chance to host their own radio show.”

For more information and how to apply for Hits Radio Pride Future Star, see: hitsradiopride.co.uk.