Robin Bailey claims she was ‘blindsided’ by decision to dump her from Brisbane breakfast
Brisbane breakfast radio host Robin Bailey has said she was “ambushed” by the Australian Radio Network’s decision not to renew her contract after a decade with the station.
Robin Bailey, centre, celebrated ten years on air with co-hosts Terry Hansen and Bob Gallagher last month
The 97.3FM co-host of the Robin, Terry and Bob show was dumped this morning for an unnamed new host, leading to the unusual step of her issuing a statement saying she had not been offered a new contract and “would have anticipated a more respectful approach to my departure”.
However ARN has disputed the statement saying despite a “long” negotiation with Bailey’s management they were “led into a position where we were unable to proceed with contract renewal”.
This morning ARN announced a new lineup for the show after a decade which will see Terry Hansen remaining to “be joined by a new host, along with Bob Gallagher who will continue as the show’s anchor”.
The show has been battling it out for the top spot in breakfast with Nova’s Ash, Kip and Lutsy who stole the lead in last week’s seventh survey of the year.
In her statement Bailey said the announcement has “come as a complete shock”.
She added: “I have been blindsided by ARN’s decision not to renew my contract. After minimal feedback during a protracted negotiation period at no stage did ARN make me any offer for 2017.
“I was ambushed this morning and told of the decision to cease my employment with the station. This was not a joint decision and I certainly saw my future with 97.3, a place that has been my home and my solace for so many years.”
In Monday morning’s statement ARN’s national content director Duncan Campbell said they were “sad to see her go”, but in a statement in the afternoon said:
ARN tried very hard to keep Robin at 97.3. While we won’t comment on specific elements of contract negotiations for privacy reasons, what we can say is this negotiation was ongoing for a long period of time with Robin’s management.
“We are very disappointed we weren’t able to agree to terms, but unfortunately, based on the information ARN was consistently given throughout the negotiation process, we were led into a position where we were unable to proceed with contract renewal.”
Robin Bailey’s statement in full:
The announcement today that I am leaving the 97.3FM breakfast team has come as a complete shock. I have been blindsided by ARN’s decision not to renew my contract. After minimal feedback during a protracted negotiation period at no stage did ARN make me any offer for 2017. I was ambushed this morning and told of the decision to cease my employment with the station. This was not a joint decision and I certainly saw my future with 97.3, a place that has been my home and my solace for so many years.
“I love radio and I have loved my ten years on air at 97.3FM. It was not only a job for me, it has been my home, my family and you the listeners have been my friends and supporters in the good times and the bad. After such a long and positive relationship at 97.3 I would have anticipated a more respectful approach to my departure. To the loyal Brisbane listeners and public, thank you for allowing me into your lives and thank you for being such an important part of mine. I will be back on radio, it’s who I am, it’s what I do and it is what I love – I can promise you that Brisbane.”
Bailey has not been on air on Tuesday morning, having finished up yesterday after ARN’s decision to not renew her contract.
How not to handle ones career.
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Breakfast radio is about light hearted entertainment before the serious grind of the day starts. While Robin has had some serious personal issues at times the show has been down right depressing and the choice of subject matter cringe worthy, ” let us pay for your divorce ” or getting private eyes to check up on people is far from light hearted. Its certainly time to ditch some of the tired spots like “top 5 ” which despite the background giggling is simply not funny. In short I think ARN is smart to shake it up.
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Looks like her management stuffed it up. They got greedy, asked for too much money and probably said “if you don’t pay it, she’ll leave”.
I sure hope her management team discussed all this with her beforehand!!!
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Negotiations include offers. Get a new manager. …… or they wanted you out.
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Fairly heartless comments above… they mad a BIG mistake letting her go and I wish her all the best.
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