The chief content officer at SCA, Dave Cameron, had to make a tough decision this month. It wasn’t about another change at a breakfast team at one of the network’s four Sydney and Melbourne stations.
Instead, he had to instigate a change of strategy for the metro content teams. SCA will give more power to its cap city content directors. This meant having to stand down the heads of content for the Hit Network, Gemma Fordham, and the Triple M network, Mike Fitzpatrick.
In an internal email to staff on Monday, Cameron said SCA was looking at options for the redeployment of the radio executives. However Fordham decided to leave the business while Fitzpatrick is considering his options.
Triple M’s Mike Fitzpatrick, Top: Hit Network’s Gemma Fordham
To replace the duo, SCA will be appointing what Cameron called a “brand agnostic” head of metro content. The new role will be advertised and SCA is believed to have briefed a recruitment company to undertake an extensive external search. SCA will also consider internal candidates who step forward.
In announcing the departure of Fordham, Cameron paid tribute to her achievements over the years since returning to the company after a stint in New Zealand radio.
“Gemma Fordham has led the Hit Network through several major brand changes in Adelaide, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, a station realignment in Perth, continued the success of The Fox, and has built and developed several new shows and talent across the country, including creating the hugely successful Carrie and Tommy show.”
Although SCA breakfast shows in the key Sydney and Melbourne markets underperformed this year, both CEO Grant Blackley and Cameron have continued to stand by the newer breakfast shows hosted by Dave Hughes (2Day FM) and Marty Sheargold (Triple M Melbourne) indicating the company was prepared to give the high-paid announcers time to build an audience. Hopefully in a year less impacted by Covid.
The Triple M brand ended the year on a high in Adelaide, but it needs TLC in all the other metro markets.
At the Hit Network, Fox ended 2021 on the up, Mix 94.5 in Perth is a competitive #2, but the Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane stations underperformed.