Russel Howcroft leaves PwC to join 3AW Breakfast program in Melbourne
Russel Howcroft is departing his position of chief creative officer of PwC to pursue a career in radio.
He will be joining Nine Radio’s 3AW network, taking over from John Burns in the Breakfast slot from August.
Howcroft is switching PwC for a stint behind the microphone
Managing director of Nine Radio, Tom Malone, said Howcroft embodies what 3AW Breakfast is all about.
“He loves Melbourne. He loves footy. He loves telling stories. And he has a long-held ambition for radio. I know that his zest for life and passion for thought-provoking conversation will resonate with our loyal listeners, while also introducing a new audience to 3AW,” Malone said.
As well as his time at PwC, Howcroft has been executive general manager of Ten, as well as CEO of Y&R. He appears as a permanent panellist on the ABC’s advertising and marketing program, Gruen.
Howcroft is replacing John Burns, who announced his upcoming retirement last year. He will appear alongside existing co-anchor Ross Stevenson from Monday, 3 August. He is, he said, excited to extend his career to include radio.
“As a proud Melburnian, I’ve spent my life listening to 3AW and waking up to the brilliant, razor-sharp and distinctively Melbourne voice of Ross Stevenson and John Burns,” he said.
“To be asked to join the king of radio, Ross Stevenson, each morning as one half of AW’s award-winning Breakfast team is an honour and a delight. I can’t wait to jump in the chair, get the first cup of coffee into me and join in the daily chat that gets Melbourne talking and laughing.”
Both Malone and Stevenson paid tribute to the ‘legend’ that is Burns.
“I’d like to thank John for his enormous contribution to 3AW over decades and we’ll be sure send him off in style next month,” Malone said.
Stevenson, who has been on air with Burns since 2001, said it was the end of an era.
“He is an absolute radio legend and a bona fide legal genius, and it has been a true privilege and an unrivalled joy to sit alongside Burnso all these years. I’m also looking forward to welcoming Russel to the studio. He’s a Demons supporter like Burnso, he’s bald and he enjoys the occasional long lunch . . . so if I just squint my eyes . . .,” he said.
It’s the latest talent shake-up since Nine took full control of the former Fairfax asset, then known as Macquarie Media.
Steve Price exited Sydney’s 2GB Afternoon program last year, and was replaced by the former co-host of Today, Deb Knight. Afternoons in Melbourne also had a shake-up with radio stalwart Dee Dee Dunleavy joining 3AW to replace Denis Walter, who had moved into the Nights slot.
This year, the long-reigning leader of breakfast radio in Sydney, Alan Jones, left 2GB. He was replaced by Sydney’s Afternoons host, Ben Fordham in Sydney, and Neil Breen in Brisbane.
Nine is still looking for a local drive host in Brisbane.
Nine also paused the Macquarie Sports Radio stations before deciding to bring back heritage radio brands 2UE and Magic. Stevie Jacobs hosts breakfast across the returned stations.
While Russel’s talents and personable nature will never be wasted, wherever he decides to go, I suspect he will feel much more comfortable in this role than he may have done in consulting for one of “the big 4” or even in commercial TV management. A rare occasion where I feel a negative in living in Sydney. All the best Russel!
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Can’t think of a more perfect fit for both parties. Fantastic news. A great get for Nine and AW.
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“I tipped this!”
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Great idea, hadn’t thought of Howcroft.
John was great and all the best to him.
Pity we, up in Cohuna, don’t get a relay for this show really miss Melbourne for it.
Trev Powis Cohuna Victoria Australia
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3AW breakfast needs a refresh, and a co presenter who contributes equally in interviews and segments rather than reacting to what Ross Stevenson says. Hopefully Howcroft will do that.
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Congrats you wonderful fellow.
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Why bother?
It has always been the Ross Stevenson show with John Burns very much in the background. He might as well just phone his contribution in.
Of the 3 or so hours they are on air John would probably speak less than 20 minutes.
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The Russ & Ross Show….got a nice ring to it.
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Russel is a very nice man and I have absolutely no doubt that he loves Melbourne, footy, storytelling and radio, in abundance. I just wonder if he’ll get to love the hours. Tough adjustment for a sociable man with a young family.
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Congrats to Russel. He’ll be amazing at whatever he sets his mind to. I’m a bit sad we’ll lose a good person in marketing and advertising but could see his interest waning. Write books, have opinion and get people talking about things that matter – and enjoy it, I say.