“I’ve seen so much change.” Sales legend Brian Wybrow retiring after 50 years in radio

Brian Wybrow. Image supplied

Whether you’re on-air or behind the scenes, notching up 50 years in commercial radio is a pretty amazing feat.

Brian Wybrow is the Media Sales Executive for ARN’s 5MU Murray Bridge and Power FM. His colleagues tell me he’s a humble chap. He’s not one to make a big fuss.

However, he won’t be able avoid being the centre of attention this week.

Come Friday – after half a century in the industry – Brian will officially retire. Or, as he so eloquently puts it, he’s off to the radio rest home.

Brian started his radio career at CBN Sales in Adelaide, which was the representative company of ARN’s original owners, the Albert family.

A few years on, he was headhunted by Melbourne’s 3MP to set up AdSales, its Sydney rep company.

At that time, 3MP was the most profitable radio station in Australia.

Following the sale of 3MP, 2UW – which was also owned by the Albert family – approached him to be its Direct Sales Manager. He then assumed the role of General Sales Manager, a position he held for eighteen years.

The transition from 2UW to Mix 106.5 was completed during Brian’s tenure.

When the original ARN and Wesgo joined forces, Brian became Sales Director of Mix 106.5, WS FM and The Edge 96.1

“Now that was an interesting time,” Brian tells Radio Today. “Two main competitors combining in the one office at Macquarie Park.”

“Surprisingly, it didn’t take too much time before the teams put their egos into their pockets and got on to the job to dominate the Sydney direct radio market.”

During his fifty years in commercial radio, Brian has also held roles at Sydney stations 2UE and 2GB, as well as Adelaide’s FIVEaa

Brian considers himself lucky to have worked with a number of high-profile announcers, including John Laws and Ron E Sparks.

His favourite on-air team was 2UW’s Baz & Pilko.

“There wasn’t a day that went by that you didn’t have a laugh,” Brian says. “They were so good with clients.”

Now back in his old hometown of Murray Bridge, Brian couldn’t think of a better way to close the chapter on his remarkable career.

“I’ve done it the other way around,” he says. “A number of reps start in regional radio. I started in metro markets, mainly in management.”

“Now I’m a sales rep in a regional market and loving it.”

Colleagues including 5MU presenter Bevan ‘Bevo’ Jones say Brian’s support, guidance and friendship will be sorely missed.

“Congrats on 50 years and an amazing career in such a tough and high-pressure gig. That’s an outstanding achievement.”

“Thanks for also being a fantastic mentor in my time at 5MU and Power FM. Wishing you well in your retirement. No doubt the team will miss your bubbly personality and it won’t be the same without you.”

Having been in commercial radio for 50 of its 100 years, Brian says “I’ve seen so much change.”

“But from a sales perspective, it’s a matter of tickling your clients’ cash register. That will never change.”

“I can’t think of a better medium to use to do that.”