ARN’s regional COO Rick Lenarcic resigns after Grant Broadcasters acquisition
After nearly 30 years in the media, Rick Lenarcic has resigned from his role as chief operating officer – ARN regional, for personal and family reasons.
ARN’s chief operating officer, Michael Harvey, has stepped into the role effective immediately, with Grant Broadcasters former CEO Alison Cameron remaining on the HT&E board, so Grants is well represented in the business.
Earlier this month, ARN’s parent company Here, There, & Everywhere, (HT&E) completed its acquisition of Grant Broadcasters. The acquisition will mean the amalgamation of Australian Radio Network (ARN) and one of Australia’s oldest regional radio company, Grant Broadcasters, under one company.
The sale was worth $307.5 million on a cash and debt free basis, with 22.5% in HT&E shares, equating to 11% holding in HT&E.
The transaction will see HT&E acquire 46 of Grant Broadcasters’ radio and digital operations across the country in a deal which was announced on 12 November last year.
With Lenarcic choosing to step away from radio, the ARN told Mumbrella its executive team will be working even more closely and directly with all of its regional stations.
A spokesperson from ARN told Mumbrella: “ARN was excited to welcome Rick into the ARN family but fully respect his decision to take a well-earned break to focus on his health and family. Michael Harvey, ARN’s chief operating officer, has stepped into the role effective immediately, bringing his extensive experience in media and broadcast, having worked in senior roles in subscription television, the film industry, digital media and broadcast radio over the past 25 years. ARN wishes Lenarcic the best of success and looks forward to maintaining the live and local approach to the acquired Grants Broadcasters stations in 2022 and beyond.”
Lenarcic commented on his Linkedin: “To all my work colleagues, friends and associates I have resigned from my position as COO Regional at ARN. After nearly 30 years in the media, many different and exciting roles, moving/living across this great country, being part of many mergers and acquisitions and too many flights, long road trips, dodgy hotel rooms and meetings, I now need to spend time with my beautiful wife and loving family and start working on my health to get prepared for my next chapter in the book of life.”
He continued: “A big thanks to Ciaran and the ARN leadership group. For the record, this was my choice and I truly believe the merging of the two businesses will be a huge success especially with the great management team and the hard-working regional staff across the country. To Alison Cameron, thanks also for letting me be part of the Grant Broadcasters family business over the last three plus years, we did have some fun and plenty of challenges. I will have regrets in leaving the industry but a well-earned break is required and hopefully, other opportunities will become available down the track. Thanks again to everyone that has been part of the journey and my book, keep safe and enjoy life… it’s short.”
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topics
Alison Cameron
ARN
ARN regional
Australian Radio Network
Grant Broadcasters
HT&E
Rick Lenarcic
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