Kieran Simpson named digital content director for ARN’s Pure Gold and Conversant Media’s The Roar
Here, There and Everywhere has signalled the integration of the ARN and Conversant Media brands, appointing Kieran Simpson as digital content director for ARN’s Pure Gold as well as Conversant Media’s The Roar.
The appointment is one of the first across the two HT&E businesses, suggesting the start of an effort to consolidate the companies under one roof.
Simpson announced his return to ARN yesterday on Instagram
Simpson previously worked on 2Day FM’s Sydney breakfast show with Grant Denyer, Ed Kavalee and Ash London.
A spokesperson for ARN said Simpson will be focused on strategy across the two brands, and will work with Natalie Babic, digital content director, who will focus on strategy for the Kiis Network, The Edge, and Conversant Media brands Techly and Lost at E Minor.
“Both roles report to Rosie Squires, head of digital content for ARN and is part of the broader integration between ARN and Conversant Media,” the spokesperson said.
Mumbrella understands the plan to consolidate has been in the works for some time. In the last year alone, Conversant Media founders Zac Zavos and Zolton Zavos both departed the business, as did chief operating officer, Sorrel Osborne. Zavos, Zavos and Osborne have not been replaced.
At the end of 2018, HT&E also announced the departure of ARN CEO Rob Atkinson, as part of a streamlining of leadership across HT&E.
HT&E CEO Ciaran Davis now sits at the helm of ARN, as managing director and CEO of HT&E.
The changes also follow the sale of HT&E’s Adshel to Ooh Media for $570m, which saw CEO Mike Tyquin depart alongside chief revenue officer, David Roddick. Since the acquisition, HT&E CEO Davis has led a holding group with one only major entity, ARN, as well as smaller businesses Conversant Media and Emotive.
Upon Atkinson’s departure, Davis told Mumbrella his immediate focus would be on simplifying ARN’s structure. Previously, he also flagged the launch of Generation E Media, a network which would combine HT&E’s digital assets and radio stations, to serve a younger audience. When his role expanded, he did not provide an official update, but noted a combination of assets to serve a younger audience was still something of interest.
Davis could not, at the time, confirm whether the HT&E brand would continue to exist.
topics
ARN
Conversant Media
Kieran Simpson
Kiis Network
Natalie Babic
Pure GOld
Rosie Squires
The Roar
