Fairfax Radio GM Shane Healy quits 3AW and Magic 1278 after 25-year career
The general manager of Fairfax Radio’s 3AW and Magic 1278, Shane Healy, has quit after a decade in the role, and admitted the stations “need to be refreshed and have new ideas”.
Healy joined the network 25 years ago as sports director, and also called AFL football with Rex Hunt for six years during the 1990’s. He was appointed general manager of 3AW in 2003 and led the station to the number one position in the Melbourne market.
National news director Rob Curtain will step in as acting general manager while a replacement is recruited.
“I have enjoyed more than 10 years in the role as general manager of two great stations,” he said. “After this period of time, it’s right that the business needs to be refreshed and have new ideas, so it’s time for me to pass the baton to a new leadership.
“It is of course with a touch of sadness that I am leaving 3AW and Magic because I have loved my job, however both are enjoying excellent ratings and good revenue growth, so now seems like the right time to go.”
“My plan is to have a short sabbatical and then look at doing something new that will challenge and stimulate me in the next phase of my career.”
Fairfax Radio network managing director Adam Lang paid tribute to Healy. “We have been very privileged to work with Shane Healy. He is a thoroughly decent person, incredibly passionate and a radio professional of rare calibre,” he said.
“His depth of experience in radio broadcasting is unique and Shane has done an excellent job presiding over the continued success of 3AW and Magic 1278. Shane also led the vital frequency change over with 3AW and Magic in 2006 – a major marketing challenge that was handled extremely well.”
“We wish him all the best in the next stage of his career.”
Prior to 3AW, Healy was general manager at Fairfax Radio Network’s Perth stations 6PR and 96FM and was also the network’s director of marketing for a period.
Healy will leave on November 14.
There’s a whole lot of execs at that Sydney Fairfax station who might like a move (before they’re moved).
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A character and a gentleman. Thanks for your help and advice all those years ago Shane. Best of luck for the future old mate.
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Wonder if this has to do with the upcoming Fairfax AGM in November. Roger corbett has put it about that he’ll be standing down next year, which might be seen as an attempt to avoid getting the big shove at the AGM. You know, “Hey, why fire the Grocer, he’s leaving anyway.”
Now Healy has gone.
Wonder if Singo has his number?
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The essential question is why did fairfax ever buy the network? Its shareholders always hated the idea. Management said often that radio was not the go. So what happened?
The result is a total wipeout of both fairfax investment and the operation of the stations (which fairfax has been sad at).
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