What's New
BY Sarah Patterson April 15, 2024
What's New April 9, 2019
Gary Roberts returns to 96FM as managing director
96FM has a new boss, with ARN announcing the appointment of Gary Roberts in a newly created position of managing director – Perth.
Gary’s return to the station that he helped launch in 1980 will see the experienced exec provide leadership and management across commercial, content and operations.
He’ll also work closely with ARN’s newly appointed chief commercial officer Peter Whitehead and national CD Duncan Campbell.
The appointment comes a short time after Rob McCasker resigned from the role of 96FM content director, just a few short months after he replaced Geoff Watts in the CD role.
“ARN is proud to welcome Gary to the role of managing director – Perth,” said ARN CEO Ciaran Davis.
“This appointment forms part of ARN’s broader strategic review, and Gary’s unique and unprecedented career in radio will ensure we have the required level of senior leadership and management in Perth.”
“With an outstanding radio career and achievements spanning decades, we look forward to a strengthened strategic approach for 96FM under Gary’s management.”
When Gary was last at 96FM, he was the program director, then general manager for 12 years.
During that time the station was #1 for a record 34 surveys in a row in Perth.
Gary’s experience in radio also included three years as chairman of Commercial Radio Australia, following eight years as a director.
He’s also the only person to have managed all Commercial FM stations in one major market, and was more recently managing director at Nova for 16 years.
“I’m excited about my return to 96FM,” said Gary.
“It has the strongest FM heritage brand in the Perth market and I’m looking forward to reigniting the strengths of 96FM for both our audiences and advertisers.”
Now this should be interesting. Will be keeping an ear out for the first time in a long time
Well done on another great diversity hire! Looking forward to hearing how another middle aged white man is going to shake up the system.
Id be worries if I was at Nova Perth.
frank – What has diversity got to do with this? He’s taken every station he’s been at to Number 1 – 96fm needs someone to turn things around and if anyone can do it, it’s Gary Roberts.
I think it’s a great move – how long before Nathan, Nat & Shaun and half the Nova 937 team end up at 96fm?
If only ARN had left it alone. They purchased a market leader and managed to run it into the ground in the first 12 months.
The amount of money lost on failed relaunches, strategic resets, whatever bullshit they call it now… is phenomenal.
is that the Gary Roberts who used to work at the Funtastic 2UW in the 70’s ???
Thank you Nicole. I was going to say something but decided to let it go at first.
What difference does being a middle aged white male make?
If a black female was the best qualified then they should get the job.
It appears Gary is better qualified than anyone for this job so should be given the chance.
So the real question is will ARN Sydney back him when he wants to dump the weakest content on the station? (Kyle and Jackie).
i wouldn’t want to be the current breakfast show at 96FM – short lived now. what Garry bring in Botica’s bunch. everything old is new again…
I doubt that Gary Roberts will look towards hiring from Nova for a couple of reasons. First is that ARN own half of them so why disrupt that and second is that 96FM needs a fresh approach and GR will know that.
ARN really stuffed up 86fm. Brad McNally had it at number One. Great music position.
The Head honcho’s at ARN came in and ruined it. From first to worst just like 973 in Brisbane. Im amazed they haven’t stuffed up Mix Adelaide. Give them time and they will especially now Gemma has 107 targeted 35+ Game on Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Nicole you’re wrong. When Roberts took over at 92.9, it was already a clear number one and had been for some time. I know because I was the GM who took it there. All Roberts was able to do was let it slide to number 2 from which it never recovered.
Hes not the messiah, he’s a very naughty boy taking credit for other peoples work.
Simple fix.Get rid of that eastern states crap!!
carnt believe how many changes this station has had in the last few years.
there branding and music all overy the show.
Bring it back to the raw!
Slogan/Everything that Rocks!
Alt/modern /classic.
get botica and Ian blackley back for a start.
Over the last few year I’ve had to turn to a different station for my first 3hrs of the day because I couldn’t stand the 2 different wanna be funny peanuts,I didn’t want to believe they got rid of a really bad not funny at all wanna be and found another equally bad guy which was sad because the music at 96FM is not doubt the best
So bloody good job Gary on bring back the Bunch
You go 96FM to all the staff you are NUMBER 1
Steve