Australian Radio Network (ARN), which oversees audio brands including Kiis FM, WS FM and iHeartRadio, has undergone a commercial restructure.
There are no redundancies associated with the restructure, ARN said, with the changes instead aimed at providing clients and agencies with a stronger offering.
“ARN is committed to offering the best commercial partnership opportunities to both agencies and clients, and this means being nimble and responsible,” ARN’s chief commercial officer Pete Whitehead said. “This restructure reflects ARN’s ability to be agile, strategic and streamlined. Not only do we offer the best integrated campaigns, but we are committed to offering the most efficient and effective client experience.”
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The restructure involves a number of moves and promotions.
Sydney agency sales director Angus Leech has been promoted to national agency sales director. He will hang onto his Sydney responsibilities as he takes in the national remit for ARN’s agency strategy.
Kate Blakeley, meanwhile, will support the Sydney team, by taking on the role of Sydney sales director for independent agencies. She was previously an account director and group agency sales manager at the company, and has also spent time agency side at PHD and Carat.
Sydney and Brisbane integration manager Andy Procopis has been promoted to national integration director. The new role involves overseeing integrated commercial responses nationally, developing new opportunities and working closely with national content director Duncan Campbell to create integrated campaigns.
Meanwhile senior integration specialists Laura Stewart and Ally Leiba will become integration managers for Sydney and Melbourne respectively. Sophie Thomason and Wendy Allen remain in their respective Brisbane and Perth roles.
Lena Rapley, previously ARN’s head of client solutions across the markets of Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, has also been promoted to commercial partnerships director. The company said this role had been established to lead the commercialisation of ARN sponsorship and partnership opportunities nationally.
And commercial product and audio partnerships director, Corey Layton has been elevated to head of commercial audio and podcasts. The role will include the growth of the iHeartPodcast Network Australia and involve responsibilities across integration, partnerships and evolving ARN’s audio offering. The shake-up does not directly impact iHeartRadio, with COO and head of iHeartRadio, Geraint Davies, and content director Brett Nossiter remaining in their roles.