ARN taps Nine’s departing sales chief Michael Stephenson for new role as chief operating officer
From every channel to mostly audio - Nine's Chief Sales Officer lands at ARN as Chief Operating Officer
ARN has appointed departing Nine Chief Sales Officer Michael Stephenson as Chief Operating Officer in a new role which signals the company behind the Kyle & Jackie O Show is set to ramp-up its ambitions after a protracted and ultimately aborted takeover of rival Southern Cross Austereo [SCA].
ARN announced to the ASX this morning that it had appointed Michael Stephenson to a newly created position of Chief Operating Officer after weeks of speculation that Nine’s Chief Sales Officer was set to depart - the company officially confirmed Stephenson's exit last Wednesday.
Stephenson will report to CEO Ciaran Davis - ARN dominates Sydney's airwaves with KIIS FM, home of the Kyle & Jackie O Show, although the company has hit ratings trouble expanding the show into Melbourne in April.
Although ARN's licensed iHeart radio and podcasting platform remains the country's largest by audience volume and podcast rankings, Stephenson will be looking to counter SCA’s $50m-plus, investment in its custom LiSTNR audio platform which is making in-market gains after five tears of development and investor impatience. SCA in recent SMI advertising reports has dominated marketshare in digital audio.
ARN's ASX announcement said Stephenson would lead "the delivery of the company's commercial strategy focused on accelerating digital innovation, enhancing operational efficiencies and fostering a commercial culture of excellence and creativity".
Stephenson, who is expected to start some time in the March quarter, said: “ARN Media is the leader in Australian audio. They have the biggest stars and the biggest brands. Their commitment to innovation, coupled with their bold vision for the future of audio, is incredibly exciting and I can’t wait to be a part of it. I’mlooking forward to working with the talented team at ARN Media to unlock new opportunities, deliver value to clients, and shape the future of audio entertainment in Australia.”
ARN CEO Ciaran Davis said Stephenson's "leadership style and extensive experience" made him ideal to join the executive team as COO. "His deep relationships with Australia’s top advertisers, proven ability to drive share of advertising, and entrepreneurial approach to foster a collaborative, creative, and inclusive work environment align perfectly with ARN Media’s mission to transform audio entertainment in Australia," Davis said. "Michael will play a key role in advancing our strategic priorities and generating exceptional value for our clients and our shareholders.”
