Two major executive departures at ARN, former Sony exec. jumps to Kobalt, and Ace Radio founder retiring

Two major executive departures at ARN

Two ARN’s top executives have left the company. Mix 106.5 Sydney Program Director Ryan Rathbone was told his contract would not be extended. He was coaxed to the position two years ago from Nova 106.9 Brisbane. Radio Today reported rumours his replacement will be former 2DAY FM PD Derek Bargwanna who is close to Mix/Kiis’s new golden boy Kyle Sandilands.

Long-time National Sales Director for Direct, David Hefter, quit to pursue other interests, after joining the company in 1999. He is replaced by Sydney Sales Director, Direct Brian Blacklock.  Mix 106.5 General Sales Manager Ben Gialouris moves into Blacklock’s former role.

Ace Radio founder retiring

Geoff Handbury, an owner and director of Victoria’s 13-station regional network ACE Radio, is retiring after 30 years in radio. Another change in 2014 is that group PD Mark Taylor is giving up some duties. He overlooks the entire network, which meant driving 80,000 kilometres over the last 12 months. Taylor is handing over Horsham GM duties to Scott Grambau.

Sony’s Ryan Wright heads to Kobalt

Kobalt Music Group named former Sony Music exec Ryan Wright as Senior Vice President, Marketing. New York-based Wright was previously SVP of Global Marketing at Sony Music Entertainment, where he oversaw worldwide marketing campaigns, brand strategy and partnerships from 2008-2011.

Global insight exec for Universal Music

Universal Music appointed Gabriela Lopes as Senior Vice President of Global Insight. She leaves her role as Director of Market Research for IFPI in January.

Rod Brice leaving SCA

After twenty years with Southern Cross Austereo, Rod Brice is leaving on December 13. His roles included Group PD of Regional Radio at Southern Cross Broadcasting and National Group PD of Radio for Macquarie Southern Cross Media He was also on the Commercial Radio Australia board.

Chrissie Swan and Jane Hall extend contracts

Mix 101.1 Melbourne’s Chrissie Swan and Jane Hall have extended their contracts to return on air in 2014. The pair made up the first all-female breakfast team last year.

Asher Moshes at Mercury Consulting

Asher Moses, award-winning Technology Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age for seven years, is new Senior Account Manager at Mercury Consulting for technology clients.

GM for Toowoomba arts space

Kerry Saul is the GM of the youth-orientated art space Toowoomba Regional Arts and Community Centre, in Queensland, which is due for completion in mid-2014. It will be the city’s first mid-size performance venue.

Spencer Howson to remain at 612 ABC

With rumours he was heading for 4BC, 612 ABC Brisbane signed up top rating breakfast presenter Spencer Howson for a further two years, reported The Brisbane Times. The deal is yet to be made official, the paper said, but ABC Western Queensland’s Bernadette Young let it slip on twitter.

Kate Langbroek scores column gig

Ten days after winding up the Hughesy & Kate breakfast show at Nova 100 Melbourne, Kate Langbroek begins as a columnist at Sunday Style. It is called Yolo aka you only live once.

Changes at APN Outdoor sales

Mark Fairhurst is new GM of sales for APN Outdoor. He was ad director at the SMH/SH, national sales director of SBS Australia and GM of sales with Eye Corp.  Will Atkinson is promoted to direct sales manager – NSW to handle independent agencies and direct clients.

Ten’s Director of Development leaves

Ten’s Director of Development Lisa Fitzpatrick left 17 months after joining from Seven. She was tapped by CEO James Warburton to set up a creative development unit under Programming Chief David Mott but both men left.