From 6PR to 3AW: Next stop Melbourne on Arthur Laundy’s station tour

The Laundy family certainly doesn’t muck around.

Immediately following last month’s successful purchase of Nine’s radio assets for $56 million, the Laundys told staff they’d soon be making their way around the stations, introducing themselves to staff.

And true to their word, within two weeks, billionaire pub baron Arthur Laundy and his son Craig will have visited every radio station the family has acquired.

Three days ago, Arthur was enjoying lunch with 6PR’s Breakfast team ahead of the AFL State of Origin game in Perth.

Today, he’ll be in Melbourne to visit staff at 3AW.

As the Herald Sun (subscription required) reports, Breakfast duo Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft, Mornings host Tom Elliott, sports host Jimmy Bartel and Drive host Jacqui Felgate are among the lucky few to score a lunch invitation.

Craig Laundy has already stopped by the 3AW office – popping in after attending the Australian Open men’s final.

“They’re a family business and want to get around to all of the stations and meet everyone,’’ Head of Nine Radio Tom Malone told the paper.

“The response from staff has been overwhelming, they’ve loved meeting Arthur and Craig.”

As the Laundy Family Office takes the reins of 2GB, 3AW, 4BC, 2UE, 6PR, Magic 1278 and 4BH, SEN boss Craig Hutchison has opened up about his own involvement in the bidding process.

Hutchison – considered the frontrunner in the days leading up to the sale – confirmed he did indeed have crack, but that the numbers reported were ‘wildly wrong.’

On The Sounding Board podcast, Hutchison said “Our bid – which can remain confidential – was the best bid that we thought we could do in our confines in the interests of our business and it worked at a level that suited us.”

“It didn’t pan out and that’s fine. You move onto the next opportunity.”

Main image: Laundy Family website