ARN promotes Corey Layton, Adam Williams and Michael Dargan into head of department roles

Australian Radio Network (ARN) has promoted three executives, creating new head of digital audio, head of audio product and innovation, and head of creative roles.

Corey Layton, previously head of commercial audio and podcasts, takes on the role of head of digital audio, effective immediately.

This will involve heading up ARN’s iHeartRadio and podcasting strategy and is part of the company’s content function.

iHeartRadio Australia’s chief operating officer Geraint Davies left last year, and ARN has been hinting at a shake-up of the platform, but has thus far been coy on what its 2021 strategy will be.

“It will be an overhaul of our iHeart strategy, our broad iHeart strategy, not just around podcasting. Podcasting’s part of it, but there’s more extensive strategic changes on the way which will be announced in the coming months,” ARN’s content director Duncan Campbell previously said when pushed by Radio Today for more details on what the changes would entail.

This is now be taking shape with Campbell today saying: “This new role brings iHeartRadio and the iHeartPodcast Network under ARN’s content function which will allow us to be more holistic in our approach as market leaders in digital audio through innovation and investment. Corey has brought a wealth of strategic and creative expertise across commercial and audio partnerships, making him the best person to take on this newly created role and he will play a key part in driving ARN’s digital audio growth strategy.”

Layton added: “Digital audio continues to experience significant content and commercial growth, driving unprecedented audience engagement. I am looking forward to expanding on our iHeartPodcast Network #1 position, while bolstering our all-in-one radio, music and podcast platform, iHeartRadio.”

In other moves, Adam Williams has been promoted to the newly-created role of head of audio product and innovation within ARN’s commercial team.

Williams has been with ARN for over 15 years

Williams joined ARN as creative operations manager back in 2005. In 2010 he became head of creative, and in 2019 took on the head of SONIC role. SONIC was part of ARN’s creative team, offering audio branding, contextualised audio and voice technology consulting services.

Now, as head of audio product and innovation, Williams will be responsible for developing and implementing audio product strategies to drive commercial returns.

And Michael Dargan, previously head of campaign ideas, becomes head of creative, a role once occupied by Williams.

Dargan 

He will lead ARN’s creative agenda, working the the integration, strategy, digital, sales and connections team to deliver creative solutions for clients.

Both Dargan and Williams will report to ARN’s chief commercial officer Pete Whitehead.

Whitehead said: “It’s always rewarding to be able to promote from within as it highlights the depth of talent we have in the network. Both Adam and Michael have delivered exceptional results through their innovative and creative approach to commercial solutions for our clients. They will play a key role as ARN continue to strengthen our position as Australia’s leading audio company.”