The Top 50 Most Influential People in Radio in 2015

Contributor

Previously at Radio Today we compiled the list of the Top 40 Most Influential Men in Radio and prior to that the Top 27 Most Influential Women in Radio.

This year we have put them together for the Top 50 Most Influential People in Radio in 2015.

The list includes on-air talent, management, senior executives, directors and owners who have influence on the airwaves and the business of radio.

They contribute to contemporary culture and can influence society’s views, standards and opinions. They are the men and women who help shape the fortunes of the Australian radio industry.

Some of the names listed have other media and business interests, this list takes into account only their radio influence.

The market size and reach of companies and organisations have been taken into account.

Of the on-air talent chosen, the question was asked “If the CEO or a key executive of that respective network left, would they have as great an impact on the business (as if this on-air talent left)?”

The names listed help shape the radio landscape and importantly have a role in shaping the future of the radio industry in Australia.

These people are setting the very high standard of Australian radio and they help set the tone and culture of radio stations, networks and the entire radio industry. They are the leaders of the Australian radio industry .

If you’d like to add any other names to the list or make comment, we would love to hear from you. We always welcome your feedback.

1. Malcolm TurnbullMinister of Communications has the future of the Australian radio industry in his hands. He recently reviewed media ownership, which now looks to be off the governments agenda.

2. Lachlan MurdochChairman / Owner of Nova Entertainment which includes the Nova and Smooth networks, Star 104.5 and FiveAA. His company Illyria owns 100% of the group.

3. Grant Blackley – CEO/ Managing Director Southern Cross Austereo . Formerly CEO of the Ten network, he recently commenced his new role, the biggest executive role in commercial radio.

 

4. Ciaran Davis CEO of APN – Recently announced as the new CEO of APN, owners of ARN’s diverse mix of radio and digital radio assets including iHeart. He was also recently awarded the coveted CEO of the Year award.

5.Cathy O’Connor – CEO Nova Entertainment – The longest serving, and a highly successful metro radio CEO, Cathy has been at the helm of Nova/DMG for almost 13 years.

6. Mark Scott  – CEO of the ABC which has the biggest radio market share in Australia. Includes Radio National, Triple J, Classic FM, News Radio and Local Radio.

7. Alan Jones – Announcer 2GB – Arguably Australia’s highest profile Breakfast announcer and previously a signfiicant shareholder of Macquarie Radio’s 2GB. One of the most influential personalities in Australian media.

8. Siobhan McKenna  – Managing Partner of Lachlan Murdoch’s Illyria, which owns Nova Entertainment’s Nova and Smooth networks.

9. Peter Bush – Chairman SCA – A highly regarded business leader and strategist. Formerly Chairman of Nine Entertainment and a former CEO of McDonalds Australia.

10. Kyle Sandilands  & Jackie O –Top rating announcers at ARN’s Kiis. Always either winning, or close to it, the Sydney FM breakfast ratings and now syndicated to over 200 stations in regional and international markets.

11. Russell Tate – Chairman/CEO of MRN of the recently merged Macquarie and Fairfax Radio Networks including stations 2GB, 2UE, 3AW, 2CH and Magic.

12. Duncan Campbell Group Content Director of ARN. Under his leadership, ARN has achieved #1 FM stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

13. Hamish and Andy – Previously the dominant national drive show on Southern Cross Austereo, and last week returning to the same timeslot on the SCA Hit / Today Network.

14. Craig BruceGroup Content Director SCA. He is responsible for the ratings and content of Australia’s largest commercial radio group including 10 metro brands Hit, 2Day, Fox and Triple M and over 70 regionals.

15. Ross Stevenson & John Burns  – 3AW Breakfast. The top rating Breakfast announcers of Macquarie Radio’s 3AW, who have lead Melbourne’s breakfast ratings since 2001.

16. Paul Jackson Group Program Director of Nova Entertainment – Oversees the content of the Nova and Smooth brands; was previously in the UK at Global and Virgin Radio.

17.  Kate, Tim and Marty – Nova National Drive – Includes the highly talented Marty Sheargold. The show has, in the recent couple of years, topped the drive ratings nationally for Nova.

18. Ray Hadley  – 2GB Morning Announcer – top rating morning announcer currently with one of the highest rating shows in Sydney radio.

19. Guy Dobson – Executive Director Metro Operations  SCA. Responsible for the operations/management of the Metro Hit/Today and Triple M networks .

20. Hughesy and Kate – KIIS National Drive.  Kate Langbroek  & Dave Hughes, formerly Nova Breakfast and now highly successful again, growing the ratings for ARN’s national drive timeslot on the Kiis network.

21. Janet Cameron – Managing Director of Grant Broadcasters which operates more than 30 regional radio stations. Grant’s are the largest privately owned regional radio group in Australia.

22. Adam LangChief Operating Officer Macquarie Radio Network, which includes 2GB, 3AW, 2UE , 2CH, Magic. Formerly from Southern Cross Austereo .

23. Neil Mitchell – Announcer 3AW. Morning Announcer at MRN’s 3AW, and an inductee into the Australian Commercial Radio Hall of Fame.

24. Kevin BlytonManaging Director / Owner Capital Radio Group. Capital owns & operates stations across NSW, WA and Victoria. Kevin is on the CRA Board of Directors and an inductee into the Hall of Fame

25.  Dave CameronNetwork Content Director for SCA’s Today Hit Network and also has been FOXFM Content Director for over a decade.

26. Joan Warner – CEO Commercial Radio Australia – Heads up the national industry body, representing Australia’s commercial radio broadcasters.

27. John Singleton – Shareholder / Director MRN. Owners of 2UE, 2GB, 3AW. Entreprenuer and founder of Macquarie radio. Recently merged his group with Fairfax radio.

28. Mike FitzpatrickContent Director of SCA’s Triple M Network also Triple M Melbourne Content Director, he has been one of the drivers behind the Triple M Networks recent success.

29. Louise Higgins – Nova Chief Operating officer / GM Melbourne – recently appointed to the role of Melbourne GM, has the dual role of COO for Nova Entertainment.

30. Michael Mason – Director of ABC Radio has more than 25 years experience in commercial and public radio and television.

31. Geraint Davies – Chief Operating Officer ARN and Head of iHeart radio – Previously at Austereo he’s been COO at ARN for over 5 years and part of the team that has transformed ARN into its leadership position.

32. Triple M Hot Breakfast – Eddie McGuire, Mick Molloy & Luke Darcy – have been the drivers of Triple M’s ratings leadership, spearheaded by the massive profile of Eddie. Currently the number 1 rating FM breakfast show in Melbourne.

33. Jeremy Millar – Manager of Metropolitan Local Radio ABC –Former ARN Group Program Director and now Manager of Metropolitan Local Radio for ABC Radio overseeing 60 ABC stations, including 51 regional stations and 9 metropolitan.

34. Matthew Granger– National Sales Director at ARN. He was previously Group Sales Manager at the Seven network, making the switch from television to radio in 2007

35. Jonesy and Amanda – Breakfast Announcers WSFM. The top rating show starring Amanda Keller. Also host the nationally syndicated My Generation broadcast on 100 stations weekly.

36. Chris Scaddan – General Manager of Triple J. Has been at Triple J since 2003, was previously the networks Program Director.

37. Peter Charlton Group Sales Director at Nova Entertainment, joined the company from Adshel in 2012; previously worked at GWR in UK.

38. Mickey Maher– Group Regional Content Director Southern Cross Austereo. Former B105 Content Director recently appointed to the role of regional Group CD.

39. Mark Klemens – Managing Director of Profile Management steers the careers of top radio talent including Hamish and Andy, Fifi Box, Tim Blackwell, Tim Ross, Jules Lund, Michael Wipfli, Will & Woody and Brigitte Duclos.

40. Rick Lenarcic – Executive Director Regional Operations SCA – previously was Regional General Manager for the southern arm of SCA radio. He now oversees over 70 regional radio stations.

41. Matt Tilley – Breakfast host KIIS Melbourne, formerly Number 1 Fox breakfast host and co-host of The One Percenters on Triple M

42. Cathy Thomas  – General Manager Southern Cross Austereo Melbourne. Previously was National Sales Director at SCA

43. Grant Cameron / Dugald Cameron – Directors of Grant Broadcasters, Australia’s largest regional broadcaster, owned by the Cameron family. Grant is on the CRA Board of Directors.

44. Kevin Whyte – Managing Director Token which manages key radio talent including Merrick Watts, Dave Hughes, Dave Thornton, Tom Ballard and Tommy Little.

45. Bill CaralisOwner of the Super Radio Network, the largest privately-held radio network with 36 stations across NSW and Qld.

46. Liz Adams – Director of Talent at Creative Representation formerly of Adams Management she oversees the careers of radio talent such as Matt Tilley, James Brayshaw & Kate Langbroek.

47. Stephen Everett / Geoff Handbury / Rowly Paterson Managing Director Stephen Everett and owners  Geoff and Rowly operate 13 stations across regional Victoria.

48. Gary Roberts – Managing Director Nova Perth a stalwart of the Perth radio market. A former GM of PMFM/92.9, Mix94.5 and 96FM.

49. Jon Faine – Announcer ABC top rating host of mornings on 774 ABC Melbourne was previously voted as one of the Top 50 most influential members of the Jewish community.

50. Jeremy Simpson – General Manager of SCA Sydney 2DayFM / Triple M, formerly Group Sales at Southern Cross Austereo.

Dropping out of Radio Today’s previous Most Influential People lists are …….

  • Max Moore-Wilton
  • Rhys Holleran
  • Michael Miller
  • David Kidd
  • Clarke Forbes
  • Kate Dundas
  • Clive Dickens
  • Adam Williscroft
  • Helen Davies
  • Toni Pipicelli
  • Chrissie Swan
  • Donna Puechmarin
  • Rachel Corbett

Brad March is a Director of Radio Today and a former Group Managing Director and Group Program Director of Austereo. He is Director of Marchmedia.

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