Jay Walkerden departs Nova after internal investigation

Former Publisher

Jay Walkerden won’t be returning to Nova Brisbane, Radio Today can reveal.

As reported on March 4, Walkerden was under “internal investigation” following an alleged incident with a member of the Ash, Kip, Luttsy & Susie breakfast show while in the US.

Nova was in California as guests of the San Francisco Travel Association, San Francisco International Airport and Visit California.

Radio Today understands that Brendan Taylor, NOVA Entertainment’s group program operations director, will oversee Brisbane in the interim.

After Survey 1 results last week, programming and marketing chief Paul Jackson declined to comment when asked about Walkerden’s status.

“That’s ongoing and not something I can talk about at this stage,” Jackson told Radio Today. “At the moment, Brendan Taylor is there and across the product and day-to-day.”

Jackson said he too would be making the trip north to check in on the team, but remained confident and upbeat about the Brisbane office under the circumstances.

“We’re just rolling on pretty well at the moment,” he added. “And you can see that from the numbers today. We feel fine about where we are with that.”

Details of what unfolded during the overseas trip are unreported, but Walkerden’s email responder put the almost decade-serving executive ‘on leave’ this month.

When asked by Radio Today, a NOVA Entertainment spokesperson verified his departure.

“We confirm that Jay Walkerden has left NOVA Entertainment, departing the role of Head of Podcasting & Program Director of Nova 106.9. Further information will be provided in relation to the future and composition of these roles in due course.”

Radio Today also reached out Walkerden, who responded after publication on Wednesday.

“It was personally and professionally devastating to receive an email informing me that my time was up at Nova,” said Walkerden via a statement. “I am proud of the work, results and leadership demonstrated over nine fantastic years with Nova in Brisbane and have always acted with integrity and empathy with our on and off-air teams and clients.”

In addition to his duel general manager gig and programming responsibilities, the radio boss was also head of podcasting for the network.

Prior to joining Nova in 2011, Walkerden was programming chief at CMC Media, Global Media in the UK and began his career at Southern Cross Austereo where he spent about 14 years.

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Ben
18 Mar 2020 - 4:04 pm

What a huge loss to Nova. One of the best content directors around

Brad
18 Mar 2020 - 6:25 pm

Absolutely devastating. Anyone know what happened here? Jay has always acted with integrity and I would regard one of the best cd in the business.

Seb
18 Mar 2020 - 8:48 pm

Didn’t he win every survey last year? Interesting times for Brisbane

Rob
19 Mar 2020 - 9:14 am

Great innings Jay. Best performing Nova in Australia.

Michael
19 Mar 2020 - 4:33 pm

Jay Walkerden is a good content director. Arn should approach him to help run 96fm in Perth with Gary Roberts and dan underwood

MR
19 Mar 2020 - 8:29 pm

I’d love to know the full story, cost saving for Nova? I smell a rat but this is going to be great for Hit in Brisbane.

Casual employee
20 Mar 2020 - 9:32 pm

Totally agree MR. smells fishy. They made a bunch redundant last year and I reckon this was an easy cost saving. I bet there is more to come. I’ve heard they are network weekends from Sydney this weekend. For a casual like me, not sure how I pay my rent.

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