Southern Cross Austereo is splitting it's management into metro and regional businesses as part of a restructure. Under the new arrangement Guy Dobson will be the new executive director of metropolitan operations and Rick Lenarcic will be executive director of regional operations.
In a statement SCA said the restructure was part of a move “recognising the distinctive and important differences between the metropolitan and regional businesses.” Dobson and Lenarcic will oversee content, innovation, client solutions and leadership teams under their respective roles.
The restructure follows news that SCA's director of digital and Innovation, Clive Dickens, is leaving the radio network to take up the chief digital officer role at Seven West Media. SCA are yet to announce a replacement for Dickens who will see out the year in his current role.
The company have also been the subject of market speculation following declines across most segments in the 2Day network in Sydney in the GfK ratings.
The network has been particularly hard hit following the departure of number one breakfast show hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O for rival station Kiis.
As a result, there has been suggestions that SCA have offered TV/radio personalities Hamish and Andy a $10m offer take its 2DayFM breakfast slot in a bid to revive its waning ratings.
Dobson has more than 30 years experience heading up media operations. He was previously CEO of Austereo, prior its merger with Southern Cross Media and has led content solutions for SCA since the merge under the role of chief content officer.
Lenarcic has 25 years experience leading media businesses and was most recently Regional General Manager for the southern arm of the business.
Speaking of the reshuffle Dobson said: “I’m so looking forward to leading a dynamic reinvigorated metro business structure into 2015. We have the most talented people in Australia on our team, with this new structure, a dedicated team focusing on metro solutions and similarly a specialist team focusing on our regional assets, SCA is going to power into the new year."
Lenarcic added: "to be directing this energetic team is exciting and I look forward to managing the further building of our TV, radio and digital assets across regional Australia. The added advantage of metro content, experience and knowledge further enhances our position as one of Australia's largest media companies.”
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