News

APN News & Media to rebrand

APN News & Media is set to rebrand, with the company which owns the likes of Australian Radio Network, Emotive, Adshel and Conversant Media wanting to find a new name to better reflect the “unique radio, outdoor and digital nature of the Group”.

According to the company’s annual report, APN – once known as Australian Provincial Newspapers – is currently working on the new identity, and will provide further details on the new branding at the AGM in May.

There has often been confusion in market around the current name and branding due to APN Outdoor. While APN News & Media did own APN Outdoor, it sold 100% of its shares in 2013 however neither company rebranded. APN News & Media still has outdoor interests through Adshel, which it 100% acquired last year, and Hong Kong Outdoor.

Last year APN News & Media exited traditional publishing with the sale of its Australian Regional Media (ARM) division to News Corp and the demerger of NZME in New Zealand.

The company then acquired digital publisher Conversant Media which publishes the likes of The Roar and Techly for $11.6m plus earnouts.

According to the annual report’s update from CEO and managing director Ciaran Davis: “ARN, Adshel, Emotive and Conversant Media will be working closer together as a group to leverage our unique “away from home” advertiser proposition and derive revenue and new opportunities across the board.

“Our strategy is built around growing our audience base, diversifying revenues, expanding our digital and data capabilities, and optimising integrations across the Group.”

The company’s annual report also covered off its financial results for calendar year 2016 which saw the company post $298.6m in revenue, up from $259m in 2015.

The company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for 2016 was $90.0m, up from $80m in 2015 with a net profit after tax for 2016 of $69.3m, down from $76m in 2015.

Australian Radio Network – which includes the success story of the Kiis FM network along with WSFM in Sydney, Gold 104.3 in Melbourne among others – posted an EBITDA of $86.1m, up 4% while Adshel reported an EBITDA of $46.2m, up 21%.

Kyle& Jackie O: Number one Sydney breakfast show for Kiss FM

According to the annual report, Davis received a “one-off $200,000 retention incentive relating to his previous role as the CEO of ARN”.

His total remuneration was $2.002m.

Other incentives outlined in the report include, an increase to chief financial officer Jeff Howard’s bonus of $150,000 in recognition of his role in restructuring the business.

The CEO of ARM Neil Monaghan – who is now News Corp’s managing director of regional media – received a $225,000 incentive for his contribution in finalising the sale of ARM.

Tony Kendall’s total remuneration in the year was $676,903. Ron Atkinson’s was $196,265, although this only reflected about half of the financial year in question.

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.