Duncan Campbell will step down from his role at The Australian Radio Network (ARN) following a period of transition within the company.
Campbell’s title will remain as chief content officer until a changeover occurs, with Lauren Joyce, the current chief strategy and connections officer, set to take the reins.
Staff were informed of the restructure this morning.
The company says Campbell and Joyce are committed to ensuring a smooth transition, with open communication throughout. CEO Ciaran Davis said Joyce’s appointment “gives me confidence in our ability to drive future audience growth”.
“Her extensive experience as a strategist and content planner across media, creative agencies, and digital publishing will deliver the momentum we need to be Australia’s most valuable audio entertainment company. Lauren’s innate understanding of audiences and her ability to establish a strategy and execute it with precision gives me confidence in our ability to drive future audience growth,” Davis said in a written statement.
ARN’s Chief Strategy and Connections Officer, Lauren Joyce.
Campbell joined ARN as CCO back in 2010, and since then has been instrumental in the orchestration of the biggest radio deal in Australian history by signing Kyle and Jackie O to a ten-year contract.
The deal, which cost $200 million, subsequently saw the company engage in a range of cost-saving measures to free up revenue.
In December last year, Calum Jaspan wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald the deal played a role in the decision to make up to 50 staff, from a range of departments, redundant. Other factors included the company’s failed takeover of rival Southern Cross Austero and a weak ad market.
As part of the restructure, ARN announced a number of other key leadership change. The chief commercial officer role, currently held by Pete Whitehead, will be phased out. Whitehead, a driving force behind ARN’s commercial success for eight years, will stay on until Michael Stephenson steps in as COO.
Chief digital and technology officer Fayad Tohme will also depart at the end of January, leaving a legacy of enhanced digital capabilities. ARN has thanked both leaders for their impactful contributions.
Fayad Tohme and Peter Whitehead.
Pictured: Duncan Campbell