News

Radio National Drive appoints Dr Rebecca Huntley to succeed Chaser Julian Morrow in Friday slot

rebecca huntleyIpsos researcher Dr Rebecca Huntley has been hired ABC Radio National as the new presenter for the Friday edition of RN Drive replacing The Chaser’s Julian Morrow who ended his two years of hosting the show at the end of last year.

Huntley will begin presenting the Friday edition of RN Drive, which is presented by Waleed Aly Monday to Thursday, at the end of the month on Friday January 31.

She said in a statement: “I have always been a listener and regular guest on RN. I am a fan of the network and so the opportunity to present the Friday edition of RN Drive is truly exciting.

“It’s a chance to explore my abiding interests in national and international politics, social affairs and the arts. However, I am still learning about which buttons I need to push for Friday afternoons.”

The researcher and author, who also holds degrees in law and film studies and a PhD in Gender Studies, is the current executive director of ‘The Mind and Mood Report’ at Ipsos Australia where she will continue to work. Huntley is part of a team of researchers who travel around the country every two months to listen to consumers’ fears, hopes and feelings on a broad range of topics.

RN’s acting manager Michael Mason said in a statement: “Rebecca’s appointment cements the already outstanding line up in place for 2014 and coincides with a number of new presenter appointments as well as the launch of RN’s new Creative Audio Unit. These changes, alongside RN’s longstanding and award-winning programs, will ensure the network continues to maintain and extend its position as the nation’s ‘ideas network’.”

Morrow will continue to appear on the ABC, with the consumer-panel show The Checkout set to return and The Chaser team launching new show We’ll Have to Leave it There.

RN’s additional 2014 presenter and programming changes sees The Inside Sleeve showcase a range of ABC presenters in the first six months of the year following the departure of Robbie Buck to 702 ABC Sydney: RN’s Paul Gough in February, Triple J’s Dom Alessio in March, Triple R’s Jonathan Alley in April and RN’s Fenella Kernebone in May

RN’s Now Hear This host Melanie Tait will also present Weekend Arts while current presenter Sarah Kanowski is on maternity leave and RN’s Creative Audio Unit has appointed Julie Shapiro as its executive producer.

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.