ARN has extended the contract for KIIS FM national drive show hosts, Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw for three years.
KIIS Network’s national drive show Will & Woody launched in 2018 and the show quickly gained a solid, loyal national audience with help from market-leading FM breakfast shows in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.
McMahon and Whitelaw had a long apprenticeship under the guidance of former SCA content chief Craig Bruce. Will and Woody spent much of the last decade at SCA working in regional markets, weekend metro breakfast shifts at 2Day and Fox and then four years in Perth at Hit 92.9.
Now at ARN Will & Woody is the equal #1FM drive show in Sydney and is the #2FM drive show nationally*. Every week they reach an estimated 1.4 million listeners across Australia.
The radio hosts are represented by Mark Klemens’ Profile Talent. Klemens and his team have runs on the board with drive contacts having managed Hamish & Andy for many years.
Of the contract extension, Will McMahon said: “I am just so grateful that we have an opportunity to keep doing what we’re doing. Particularly in the current climate, it’s an incredible show of faith from ARN and it does nothing but fill us both with confidence to continue to grow and perform together. Having said that, I’m under no illusion that we wouldn’t be here without all the people that get around our weird radio show and behind the scenes, the support of our team, our families and friends. All in all though, I absolutely love Woods and the idea that it’s a ‘job’ to hang out with him every day is absurd.”
Woody Whitelaw added: “Absolutely thrilled to be putting off getting a ‘real job’ for another three years. It truly is a dream to be given the opportunity to spend every afternoon having fun with my best mate. Also super grateful for everyone who have been on the ride with us so far – you are the ones who bring the show to life and I can’t wait to keep sharing the laughs with you all.”
The program offers brands opportunities for integrations. Recent campaigns have included ‘Coffee Making Intervention’ with Harris Coffee to show Aussies how they can make better coffees themselves, getting their mate Sophie Monk to show how fun a friendly game of tennis can be with Tennis Australia, and celebrating the ‘most wonderful time for a beer’ with Carlton & United Breweries at Christmas.
Most recently, Will & Woody launched their ‘Help in Ruff Times’ campaign in partnership with Ruffie Rustic Foods.
ARN chief commercial officer Pete Whitehead said: “Will & Woody deliver exceptionally creative client campaigns and integrations that engage audiences nationally across ARN’s on-air, digital and on-demand audio offering. By working collaboratively with clients to gain a deeper understanding of their campaign vision, Will & Woody are able to find unique ways to bring brand messaging to life organically within their show. From staging a ‘national coffee making intervention’ with Harris Coffee – which scored them an ACRA nomination – through to their recently launched initiative with Ruffie Rustic Food to help people in ‘Ruff Times’, Will & Woody put their sense of humour, fun and genuine love of radio into every campaign execution to deliver outstanding results for clients and their brands.”
ARN’s national content director Duncan Campbell said: “Will & Woody have a unique connection and genuine chemistry of true best mates and that’s what makes their show so compelling for our national audience. Since launching their show in 2018 as newcomers to a competitive drive show market full of household names, Will & Woody have consistently built momentum and delivered impressive results for the KIIS national network and have been the #2FM drive show nationally for the last three surveys. And this is only the beginning. Will & Woody continue to be a key part of ARN’s strategy to deliver consistent, strong and engaging content across the KIIS National Network and are part of the vibrant and results-driven team who our audiences trust and love.”
*Source: Figures from GFK standard Drive Show 4-7pm time period.
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Top Photo: Lockdown drive: Will & Woody broadcast from home