In our ‘Year in Review’ series this week, radioinfo speaks to one of the radio industry’s leaders, Austereo CEO Michael Anderson.
Anderson this year took on the role of Chief Executive when Brad March left the company. Anderson had a number of senior Sales roles for Austereo since joining the company in 1996. He was appointed Chief Operating Officer in May 2003 and Chief Executive Officer in August 2003.
radioinfo: What has been the biggest highlight for you this year?
Anderson: The way the people at Austereo are responding to the competitive environment.
radioinfo: Has taking on your new role been tough?
Anderson: The
strength of the team and our focus has made the transition a very
enjoyable experience
radioinfo: What are the worst and the best aspects of your current job?
Anderson: The worst is having to be patient, and the best is gaining the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the company.
radioinfo: What do you see on the horizon for Austereo in 2004?
Anderson: Innovation, excitement, learning and success.
radioinfo: You will be very busy reinvigorating your stations in 2004, but will you have time to devote to bigger picture things like digital radio, etc?
Anderson: We have the best executive depth in the
industry, which enables us to ensure we not only deal with the present but are able to prepare for the future.
radioinfo: Comparing with 2002, how was business overall in 2003?
Anderson: The industry is more than half way through a significant change in its competitive circumstance. There has been a lot of hype around the new licenses to date and that is to be expected, however Austereo has been an industry leader in every sense of the word for many years and we are committed to driving the medium forward for many years to come.
Competition helps us in this goal and as such is
welcomed.
In the last few months we have demonstrated our commitment
to innovation in both the listener and client fields. Stay tuned for
2004!
Even in competitive times, Austereo is confident of a good year in 2004. The company recently advised the stock market:
“Austereo estimates that EBIT will be in the range of $39m to $41m for the 6 months to 31 December 2003… Austereo still expects the full year EBIT to be in the range of $68m to $72m and within its budgeted results. The estimates are dependent upon advertising, audience share and competitive conditions.”
Austereo Group Ltd is the largest radio broadcaster in Australia. The company operates radio stations in all mainland Australian capital cities and the two major regional cities of Newcastle and Canberra. It was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange on 5 March 2001.
The company operates two national networks in Australia, Today and Triple M, and offshore markets, including Malaysia, Greece and the UK.
The programming of Austereo stations is targeted to under 45 audiences. The success of the company’s strategies is predicated on holding the number one and two ratings places in the vital 18-39 age audiences in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and Canberra.