Radio heavyweight scores top audio job at ABC
Top radio executive Ben Latimer has scored the top audio gig at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Latimer will be the new head of audio content, tasked with managing capital city networks, Radio National, sport, audio strategy and creation and networks including triple j, ABC Jazz, ABC Classic and more.
He officially joins on 31 July and will report to Chris Oliver-Taylor, ABC’s chief content officer.
“Being appointed to such a vital role within the national broadcaster is truly an honour and I am acutely aware of the challenges that come with this new responsibility,” Latimer said.
“I look forward to leading our exceptional ABC Audio and Radio teams to continue what they do best: creating captivating content that is distinct, high-quality and reflects the essence of Australia.
“While the speed and breadth of changes in the audio landscape are profound, I hold an unwavering optimism for the future and the distinctive role that the ABC will play.”
Lattimer has won multiple Australian Commercial Radio Award gongs and was named Australian Radio Network’s program director of the year. He is the former head of programming at Nova.
Of the appointment, Oliver-Taylor said “Ben is an exceptional leader who lives and breathes radio, his experience alongside the ABC’s audio executive team, is exactly what we need as we look to increase our audiences across all of our output, be that live and local or our significant podcast and OnDemand content. I can’t wait to welcome Ben to the ABC.”
Latimer is the third high-profile appointment to the content division in the past month, following the recruitment of Rachel Okine from Stan as head of scripted and Susie Jones from Netflix as head of factual.
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