ARN extends Will & Woody’s contract for three years
After re-signing Kyle and Jackie O, Christian O’Connell, and Jonesy and Amanda late last year, Australian Radio Network (ARN) has now also extended its contract with Kiis FM’s national drive hosts, Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw.
Will and Woody are guaranteed another three years with the network and said the extension was even more appreciated in the context of COVID-19, which has seen ARN implement pay cuts for staff, including on-air talent.
“I am just so grateful that we have an opportunity to keep doing what we’re doing,” McMahon said.
“Particularly in the current climate, it’s an incredible show of faith from ARN and it does nothing but fill us both with confidence to continue to grow and perform together.
“Having said that, I’m under no illusion that we wouldn’t be here without all the people that get around our weird radio show and behind the scenes, the support of our team, our families and friends. All in all though, I absolutely love Woods and the idea that it’s a ‘job’ to hang out with him every day is absurd.”
Whitelaw added that he’s “absolutely thrilled to be putting off getting a ‘real job’ for another three years”.
“It truly is a dream to be given the opportunity to spend every afternoon having fun with my best mate,” he said.
“Also super grateful for everyone who have been on the ride with us so far – you are the ones who bring the show to life and I can’t wait to keep sharing the laughs with you all.”
The Will & Woody drive show launched in 2018 and has risen to become equal first in the slot among FM counterparts in Sydney, with a 9% share, behind AM’s 2GB and ABC Sydney.
In the most recent 16 April survey – the last to run indefinitely given COVID-19’s impact on the data gathering process – the duo also had a 6.8% share in Melbourne, 10.8% in Brisbane, 12.1% in Adelaide, and 11.5% in Perth.
ARN national content director Duncan Campbell said those results mean Will & Woody “continue to be a key part of ARN’s strategy”.
Duncan Campbell
“Will & Woody have a unique connection and genuine chemistry of true best mates and that’s what makes their show so compelling for our national audience,” he said.
“Since launching their show in 2018 as newcomers to a competitive drive show market full of household names, Will & Woody have consistently built momentum and delivered impressive results for the KIIS national network and have been the #2FM Drive Show nationally for the last three surveys. And this is only the beginning.
“Will & Woody continue to be a key part of ARN’s strategy to deliver consistent, strong and engaging content across the KIIS National Network and are part of the vibrant and results-driven team who our audiences trust and love.”
Chief commercial officer Pete Whitehead added the duo “deliver[s] exceptionally creative client campaigns and integrations” for clients, and “find unique ways to bring brand messaging to life organically within their show”.
“From staging a ‘national coffee making intervention’ with Harris Coffee – which scored them an ACRA nomination – through to their recently launched initiative with Ruffie Rustic Food to help people in ‘Ruff Times’, Will & Woody put their sense of humour, fun and genuine love of radio into every campaign execution to deliver outstanding results for clients and their brands,” Whitehead said.
The announcement also follows ARN extending the contracts of breakfast hosts Jase and PJ in February, and the revival of Brisbane’s Robin, Terry and Bob show in January, three years after Robin Bailey was dumped from the program.
Brittney Rigby was Mumbrella's deputy managing editor - news and analysis. She left Mumbrella in April 2021.
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ARN
Australian Radio Network
Duncan Campbell
Pete Whitehead
Will & Woody
Will McMahon
Woody Whitelaw
