End of an era: New ARN role for Rob McLennan

Today marks the end of a remarkable radio era in Geelong.

After more than three decades as News Director of K rock and Bay 93.9 FM, Rob McLennan is taking up a new post at ARN, overseeing its newsrooms in regional Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.

After being a part of the K Rock/Bay family for an incredible 36 years in total, McLennan tells Radio Today it was a huge decision for him.

But he’s excited about what lies ahead.

“I’ll miss the team at K rock and Bay but at the same time, I know the news leadership team at ARN and have worked alongside them since the acquisition of Grants and have a huge amount of respect for them.”

“I’m really looking forward to joining them in a permanent capacity.”

When McLennan started his radio journey in Geelong, there was just the one station in town: 3GL in James Street.

He was there for the name change to K rock and the acquisition of Bay 93.9, becoming News Director of the combined operation.

After such a long innings, McLennan has no doubt that leaving the team in Geelong will be a huge tug on the heartstrings.

“I know it’s a cliche but they really do feel like family, I feel like I’ve been lucky to have worked with every single one of them.”

“I’ll carry all of them in my heart wherever my career and my life take me.”

McLennan says his decades in Geelong have brought him great personal rewards.

“The things that stand out are getting to work with dozens of super talented journos over the years and having the chance to lead the newsroom through a time of extraordinary change in our industry.”

“From typewriters and rolling edits, to the advent of digital systems, and into an era of fresh new delivery platforms, it’s been an incredible journey. I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s next.”

McLennan is also excited to have the opportunity to pass on some of what he’s learned to a new generation of broadcast journalists.

“I love the path ARN is taking when it comes to news, the chance to work with a team that’s embracing listener’s changing wants and needs is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up!”