He must have agreed to it beforehand but one can’t help but wonder how ARN CEO Michael Stephenson, the man who had hands in the decision to replace Robin Bailey, Kip Wightman and Corey Oates on KIIS 97.3 Breakfast in Brisbane with Craig ‘Lowie’ Low just prior to the radio network’s Upfronts in October last year, felt as the cherry picker he and the reinstated trio were in ascended 15 metres to a billboard above the Inner City Bypass?
During peak-hour Robin, Kip and Corey marked their return to air this morning broadcasting live from Brisbane’s biggest billboard which features the show’s new-look marketing. Other guests, outside the CEO, included Robert Irwin and his I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here co–host Julia Morris with Agro, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and the trio’s families sending welcome back messages.
Robin said:
“It’s like nothing ever happened! It was our loyal Brisbane listeners who brought us back and we are so grateful to them to be on-air this morning. We want to give all our love and dedication right back to them.”
Kip added:
“Corey promised to take the show to new heights this year. As someone who hates heights, I really wasn’t expecting this. Let’s hope the rest of our shows stay on the ground this year!”
And Corey said:
“I had the idea to take the show to new heights this year. So, what better way then taking over a gigantic billboard in Brisbane!”
It was the chat with Michael though that was most enlightening. He said that the show being dumped, then reinstated, wasn’t a stunt. It was the vociferous backlash from listeners that started KIIS Network head Derek Bargwanna broaching the concept of changing the decision and it was Derek again who got to make the final phone call to let them all know that they’d be welcomed back in 2026.
Only then did they release Michael to return his feet to the ground. Additionally Georgina Marckwald has also been reemployed by the network to be heard from 10am – 3pm weekdays in Brisbane. That move too is a return to local after Jess Miller made way for Gordie Waters to network workdays to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in March 2024.
Robin, Kip & Corey are back in Brisbane, now live from 6am to 10am each weekday followed by Georgina Marchwald from 10am – 3pm. Listen live on Brisbane’s KIIS 97.3, or via the free iHeart App.
Main image L-R: Corey Oates (facing away), ARN CEO Michael Stephenson, Robin Bailey and Kip Wightman. All images supplied.
Jen Seyderhelm is a writer, editor and podcaster for Radioinfo.
Email: [email protected]
I am asserting my belief rather than making an allegation because its currently just a hypothesis in my mind rather a theory proven beyond reasonable doubt by empirical evidence studied and published in a thesis for peer review that it was a publicity stunt staged by the promotions department.