Dr Rebecca Huntley has been appointed as the new presenter for the Friday edition of RN Drive, commencing on Friday January 31.
RN Drive is ABC RN’s popular flagship evening program, broadcast daily from 6.00–8.00pm. The program provides fresh perspectives, intelligent analysisand original insights into major national and international events, alongside daily updates on business and the financial markets. RN Drive is presented Monday–Thursday by Waleed Aly, with the Friday edition, previously presented by Julian Morrow, ending the working week with an equally engaging, but more discursive look at the week that was.
Rebecca said: “I have always been a listener and regular guest on RN. I am a fan of the network and so the opportunity to present the Friday edition of RN Drive is truly exciting. It’s a chance to explore my abiding interests in national and international politics, social affairs and the arts. However, I am still learning about which buttons I need to push for Friday afternoons.”
With degrees in law, film studies and a PhD in gender studies, Rebecca brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position. Currently the Executive Director of The Mind and Mood Report at Ipsos Australia where she will continue to work, Rebecca is part of a team of researchers who travel around Australia every two months to listen to consumers’ fears, hopes and feelings on a broad range of topics.
One of Australia’s foremost commentators on social issues and trends facing Australia, Rebecca appears regularly on the ABC’s Q&A and The 7.30 Report, Sky News Australia’s Paul Murray Live and at events such as TEDxSydney and the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Rebecca is also the author of several books, including The Italian Girl. She has been a feature writer for Australian Vogue and is a columnist for Business Review Weekly.
Michael Mason, RN’s Acting Manager said: “Rebecca’s appointment cements the already outstanding line up in place for 2014 and coincides with a number of new presenter appointments as well as the launch of RN’s new Creative Audio Unit. These changes, alongside RN’s longstanding and award-winning programs, will ensure the network continues to maintain and extend its position as the nation’s ‘ideas network’.”