Sam Cavanagh ends 16-year career with SCA

Former Assistant Editor
Sam with Hamish & Andy

Sam Cavanagh has signed off after 16 years at Southern Cross Austereo.

The news comes after SCA recently revealed that Sam had taken long-service leave for the rest of 2018, with a view to returning next year.

Cavanagh, the long-term executive producer for The Hamish and Andy Show, had taken on a new role as EP for Triple M’s new Drive show in 2018 Kennedy Molloy – and the show had shown promising results to date.

He started out as a phone operator on Fox FM‘s The Tracey and Matt Show, before working as an EP on The Shebang with Marty and Fifi.

Sam revealed in a statement that he has accepted a role outside of radio in the world of advertising, with a new creative agency.

“I walked into SCA as a 23-year-old with a bleached blonde mohawk, and no idea what I was doing,” he said.

“16 years later, and this company has given me a career beyond my wildest dreams.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with the countries most talented performers, have broadcast from places like Beijing, Afghanistan, and a tall ship crossing Bass Strait.

“I’ve enjoyed the rare thrill of putting a radio show live to air, every single day.

“There are too many people who have impacted my career along the way to mention them all here, but I would like to shout out to Craig Bruce who saw potential in me long before I saw it in myself.

“It’s time for me to take on a new challenge. But not before I return for a week in January to steal as much stationary as possible.”

Following the announcement, Bruce described Sam to Radio Today as “one of the most thoroughly decent humans I’ve met in my life.

“A natural leader, his influence at SCA was profound.
“He is an idea-generating machine,” Craig continued. “[Sam] showed us all that the creative process starts with asking great questions” and will be “a huge loss for the category.”

Mick Molloy and Jane Kennedy have also wished Sam the best for the future; “We could not have wished for a better EP to help launch Kennedy Molloy and we wish Sam all the very best in his new adventure.”

SCA Melbourne GM and long-time mentor Dave Cameron added; “Sam’s one of the best, but is actually truly focussed on bringing out the best out in others.”

SCA also revealed today that Sam will be granted a special farewell when he returns from long service leave before his eventual departure.


Sam Cavanagh featured on Radio Today‘s list of the Top 10 Executive Producers in Metro FM Radio earlier this year.

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Higgo
17 Oct 2018 - 11:58 am

I don’t know what else can be said about Sam that hasn’t already. He’s a gentleman, a calming influence, funny, super creative, and supportive. Sam is quite simply one of the best people to work with and be around.

Ed
17 Oct 2018 - 12:49 pm

Sam Cav, Michael Mason who’s next. It always goes in three’s. Watch this space.

Pete
17 Oct 2018 - 4:18 pm

This is a blow to SCA. Sam is a major talent who will be missed.

Dave Smith
18 Oct 2018 - 10:50 am

All the very best to you Sam C, I had the pleasure to work with you and not only were you one of the very best at what you do, but a thoroughly damn fine bloke to boot and that rarely happens in media…Or anywhere for that matter. No doubt you will be a huge success in your next career phase.
Cheers mate

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