Emma-Jayne Owens departs ARN, Peter Whitehead promoted to chief commercial officer

HT&E today announced several staffing changes within HT&E and ARN’s management.

Significantly, ARN’s chief commercial officer Emma-Jayne Owens will leave the company, as will Mason Rook whose role of commercial director Sydney & Brisbane has been made redundant.

Owens’ role will remain, and be taken on by Peter Whitehead, who moves from the role of commercial director Melbourne & Adelaide. He will continue to be based in Melbourne.

The changes have been attributed to a “simplified and reenergised Executive Leadership Team structure across both businesses.”

 “I would sincerely like to thank EJ, Mason, Tony and Greg for their contribution to ARN and HT&E and we wish them all the very best,” said HT&E CEO & managing director Ciaran Davis.

“EJ joined us in 2017 in the newly created role of chief commercial officer and during her time at ARN was part of the Executive Team in renewing ARN’s vision and made progress in reviewing ARN’s commercial approach to market.

“Mason joined ARN a year ago and in that time has made a significant contribution to the Sydney and Brisbane markets.”

“I congratulate Peter on his new position as chief commercial officer. Pete has driven some great success in the Melbourne and Adelaide markets and we look forward to having him in this expanded role.”

The recent sale of Adshel by HT&E also sees two roles within the HT&E Commercial Team made redundant.

This means chief revenue officer Tony Kendall and partnerships director Greg Tremain will both depart the business.

I would like to thank Tony and Greg for their tireless efforts in taking the group proposition to market and to Tony in particular for his previous leadership as CEO at ARN,” said Davis.

These changes follow the departure of ARN CEO Rob Atkinson in late 2018, with Davis assuming the additional duties.

“As I’ve said recently, HT&E is a fantastic business with a portfolio of high quality investments, and a balance sheet the envy of the traditional media sector,” Davis continued.

“These changes are a result of our objectives to optimise the cost structure, reduce corporate costs and ultimately set the business up for ongoing operational effectiveness and further growth.

“ARN underpins HT&E as a market leading radio business and I’m looking forward to working with all our team to achieve ARN’s vision to create the future of audio entertainment focussing on our strengths in content creation, audience delivery and our relationships with advertisers.”