DMG Radio has announced another significant appointment in the lead up to the launch of Nova 919 in Adelaide.
Jacqui Kassulke will no longer be a ‘freq,’ she will now be 919’s Music Director. Kassulke left Triple M Melbourne recently to “take a break from the industry,” but DMG has talked her into taking on the new role.
She is already in residence at Nova 919 and preparing for the station’s launch.
Kassulke, a former AFTRS Radio student, has an impressive background and solid experience, including stints in front of and behind the microphone in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as a RAWARD for Best Music Director in 2002.
She joins the ever increasing Nova Adelaide team led by Paul Bartlett, joint General Manager of 919 and FIVEaa. Also in the team are Program Director, Jason Staveley; Promotions & Marketing Director, Mel Van Deventer; Agency Client Manager, Deane Goodwill; Client Director, Bronwyn Klei; and on-air presenter Hayden Else.
Last week, the Federal Court upheld Austereo’s appeal to overturn a decision by the Registrar of Trade Marks, allowing it to use the slogan ‘totally different,’ so it is uncertain whether Nova will use ‘sounds different’ when it launches Nova Adelaide.
It will also face the same dilemma in Brisbane, where earlier this week DMG geared up for the launch of Nova 106.9 by appointing Sean Ryan as General Manager.
Even though DMG has until late May 2005 to launch Nova into Brisbane, Managing Director, Metropolitan Radio, Cathy O’Connor, has announced the vital appointment almost 10 months out in a memo to staff, saying:
“As many of you would know, for the past two years, Sean has been employed within the DMG Regional Radio Group as Regional General Manager – Northern Group and has made an outstanding contribution to its transformation and success.
“For those of you who don’t know Sean, prior to joining DMG, he had a successful media career working for WIN television in Canberra, Ballarat and Wollongong.
“Although the launch of Nova Brisbane is still some time away, Sean will commence in Brisbane on 1 September, and begins the long process of planning for our new station.
“Sean will relocate his family to Brisbane early in the New Year.
I am delighted to be offering Sean this well deserved next step into the metropolitan group. His enthusiasm is infectious and he brings with him a proven track record for developing a strong and passionate team around him.
“Please congratulate Sean on this well deserved appointment.”
It has been a frantic time for O’Connor and other key DMG executives, and the workload will not ease any time soon, with the launch of a new station in Sydney also on the agenda and another licence auction in Melbourne next week.