ARN’s Group Program Director Peter Yiamarelos will leave the Australian Radio Network in July, and will return to Europe to take up a “a senior radio position” in Greece.

Yiamarelos, an Australian with Greek parentage, worked in Greece before returning to Australia to take up the ARN position in August 2007. He was appointed to former ARN CEO Bob Longwell, who has now retired.

New ARN CEO Ciaran Davis, is believed to have wanted to implement a new direction for the network’s Mix stations according to radioinfo sources. Yiamarelos met with Davis this week to give notice and will step down as Group PD on July 23.

Davis paid tribute to Yiamarelos’ achievements in a memo to staff, saying: 

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Peter for his drive, determination and dedication to ARN where he has achieved so much in the most competitive radio landscape in the world.   Peter has overseen some significant changes during his time at ARN including the re-invigoration of the Mix and Classic Hits network formats, launched 4 new breakfast shows across the country, as well as overseeing the launch of ARN digital stations Classic Hits Plus, The Edge Digital, and most recently Classic Hits Live.
 
“I am sure you all join with me in wishing Peter every success in the future and no doubt you will all get the opportunity to wish him luck as he completes his market visits in the next few weeks.  I know he is looking forward to thanking you all for your support over the past 3 years.” 

Prior to joining ARN, Peter Yiamarelos oversaw a group of European stations, and launched the highly successful Lampsi FM station in Athens. He also developed and launched Greece’s first top 40 national radio show, and relaunched a number of stations in The Netherlands, Bulgaria and in Romania.

Before working overseas he studied at AFTRS then  worked with the Austereo Group, at Triple M Sydney and at FM104.7 Canberra, the ARN and Austereo joint venture. See our 2007 article at the link below.