Ryan Khay on a new adventure

He’s been the Group CD at 92.7 Mix FM and SEA FM for the last nine years, on Friday Ryan “Ryno “Khay pulled the pin and is about to head off on a new adventure in the Tropics.

Ryan is heading up to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea for a new network role with CHM Supersound.

CHM Supersound group is the largest music, media and  Entertainment Company in PNG and the South Pacific and has been the driving force behind the development & growth of the regions music industry for the last 35 years

It’s been a big 12 months for Ryan and the team at EON Broadcasters, a ripper survey result which saw both Mix and SEA blitz the market and over the weekend they secured a bunch of ACRA finalists spots across 12 categories.

EON Broadcasters Station Manger John Williams said Ryno achieved many great things for EON Broadcasting, “not the least of having the No 1 & No 2 stations here on the Sunshine Coast & then of course being part of the team that’s just gained 13 ACRA finalists.  He will be missed, but we are happy to celebrate his success and wish future success”

We caught with Ryan and asked him a couple of questions:

Blair:  You’ve been the Group CD at the Sunshine Coast for since 2006…. so close to 10 years…. why the move to all places PNG?

Ryan: I wasn’t actively seeking a new role and love the Sunshine Coast, but saw the position come up on your website with CHM in PNG, and made an enquiry. 

I kind of saw the role as the radio equivalent of working away in the mines for a few years for financial gain.

CHM is a large company in PNG and not only do they have the national Commercial Radio network 99.5 RAIT FM, they also run the largest Recording Studio in PNG.

Music Production is a huge passion of mine outside radio, and I really like the idea of being able to hone my skills in Music Production outside of my role with RAIT FM.

I lived in Bouganville, PNG for 3 years as a child and know what I’m in for. It will certainly be challenges, but its those unique challenges I’m looking forward to.

The idea of getting the station to #1 in a foreign country that is known for its adversity excites me!!

Blair: Going out on a high?

Ryan:  Absolutely! Just this year alone we have had a record year for Mix FM’s Give me Five for Kids, The recent survey win, both stations having hit record budgets and now the ACRA nomination. I will certainly be leaving with a lot of pride.

Blair: Biggest achievement while at Mix and Sea outside the Survey win this year?

Ryan: For the role, my biggest achievement is to have built the team that we have now at Sea/Mix.

I am blessed to lead a dedicated, driven and devoted team that strive for excellence and create remarkable radio!
All the other achievement and success have come as a result of having a great team and a great station culture.

My biggest personal achievement outside the survey was winning an ACRA for Best PD in 2012. It was a tough time with the Austereo/Southern Cross merger and pending sale, and I faced a lot of challenges, so to get a gong in one of the toughest times in my career was a huge achievement. 

I’m excited to be only the 2nd PD to grace the trophy wall in the boardroom for an ACRA for Best PD (the other person is Paul Amos).

Ryan will finish up with EON at the end of October and the hunt will be on shortly to find his replacement.