The Australian Radio Network has announced the appointment of Irene Hulme as the new Program Director for its Feel Good station, Mix 101.1 Melbourne, replacing Mark Johnson who has left the network “to pursue other professional interests”.
Hulme, who takes up her new position on 8 January has been promoted from within the company after a very successful period as Assistant Program Director and Music Director at ARN’s classic-hits station GOLD 104.3
ARN Group Program Director Jeremy Millar says Hulme is a “logical choice” for the role: ”We are thrilled to be able to promote Irene into the role of Program Director as she has been an integral part of the top-rating GOLD104.3 team and will bring valuable skills and experience to Mix 101.1.”
Prior to joining ARN in 2004, Irene Hulme spent 18 years with the Austereo Network where she held a variety of roles including Program Manager, Assistant Program Manager, Music Director and announcer at stations including Fox FM and Triple M in Melbourne, 2DayFM in Sydney, B105 in Brisbane and SA FM in Adelaide.
Hulme says she is “excited about joining the station” following the success it experienced this year with the launch of Tracey & Tim for breakfast. She looks forward to building on the success of the station and the team in the new year.
Other staff changes have also been announced internally at ARN today:
Mike Byrne is moving from Gold FM to WS FM as program director. He will take up his appointment on April 2.
Ben Latimer will take up a new role at WS FM as Assistant PD and executive breakfast producer.
David Kidd (who was acting PD at WSFM) will be the interim PD at Mix 106.5 until a replacement for Ben is appointed.
Jim Dolan (ex 2UE Sport & 2GB Sport) joins ARN as Sports Director for Sydney and Brisbane stations, where he will present breakfast sport on WS FM and 4KQ Monday to Friday. He begins 8 January.
WS FM retail sales manager Josh Busteed has been appointed as General Sales Manager for Mix 106.5, commencing 15 January. Brian Blacklock will cover Josh’s role at WS until a replacement is appointed.
Richard Mills will take over a new role as Sydney Training Manager and Retail Sales Manager of WS FM.
Paul Holmes will not return to WS FM Drive, and will move north to as part of a new drive team for Hot Tomato on the Gold Coast.