Singo announces Mining Network

It seemed an unusual acquisition when John Singleton's Macquarie Radio Network bought the Smart Radio Network in Queensland, with rumours that the move was pushed for by Gina Rinehart.

Through the due diligence process, Rinehart did in fact visit the 'Smart' stations. She has business interests in Central Queensland where a number of the radio stations are based.

Now, 'The Australian' has reported that Macquarie have announced their intention to create an 'Australian Mining Radio Network' which will sell advertising space to companies with a specific interest in targeting mining communities.

The 'AMRN' will be a partnership with Redwave Media, owned by West Australian Newspapers, which has a potential audience of 300,000 in mining communities in WA.

Russell Tate, MRN Chairman, has said that there are no plans to acquire further regional radio stations as a result of the move, whilst MRN Sales Director Mark Noakes commented:

"We just believe it's a lucrative audience that advertisers will want to speak to, our proposition is to reach Australia's most cashed-up ears".

"It's not a network in terms of programming, it's a solution for advertisers, we think there is a range of sectors that do want to talk to the mining industry and the mining workforce."

MRN have denied that they would be using the stations as a political tool.