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Stephen Beers returns to 3AW

After being ousted last month in preparation for the Nine takeover of Macquarie Media, 3AW operations manager Stephen Beers is back, with new Nine radio boss Tom Malone emailing staff to say Beers would return as station manager.

This is the first decision Malone has made since stepping into the top job for Nine’s new radio assets, and he said it reflected the ‘important contribution’ Beers had made to the station.

Stephen Beers is back at 3AW

“Stephen has generously agreed to contract back to Macquarie Radio as we transition our business into the new Nine,” said Malone in the email.

“I have taken this decision because even in my first week I see what an important contribution Stephen has made to the success of 3AW in this city and for this community and we need his wisdom and support as we move forward together.”

Malone went on to say he has known Beers for 20 years and is looking forward to working with him on the ‘evolution’ of the sound of 3AW and 1278.

Malone also took the chance to issue a challenge to staff, asking them to stay mindful of delivering great local content while ‘keeping a close eye on costs’.

Nine named its director of sport, Malone, as the radio boss earlier this month. His appointment followed the departure of former CEO Adam Lang in October, ahead of Nine taking full control of the radio business.

Macquarie Media is the broadcaster of a number of leading AM stations, including 2GB in Sydney and Melbourne’s 3AW. It also recently announced a review of its Macquarie Sports Radio asset, including culling all talk content. 2GB is also currently under content review after comments made by star breakfast host Alan Jones.

At its recent Annual General Meeting, Nine admitted Jones had hurt Macquarie Media’s revenues after an advertiser boycott followed his comments, and said it was a reminder for people in similar positions to be ‘very careful what they say’.

Nine has made it clear the intention is the further connect its media assets, which now includes TV, digital, print and radio, and maximise the synergies between them. In his email to staff, Malone touched on this, saying Beers would work on the process to improve the production and commercialisation of 3AW in line with the other pillars of the business.

6PR, Macquarie Media’s Perth outpost, commercial director Gordon Hill also left the business when Beers initially did. Nine completed its takeover of Macquarie Media a week ago.

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