Australia’s captains of industry gathered tonight to honour and celebrate Australia’s leading executives and CEOs for the third annual Executive of the Year Awards presented by The CEO Magazine.
Anthony Xydis, National Marketing Director at the Australian Radio Network (ARN) was awarded Marketing Executive of the Year, and also from ARN taking out the coveted CEO of the Year category was Ciaran Davis, CEO of Australian Radio Network.
Ciaran began his role in 2010 and, after three years of growth, the challenge was to deliver a business plan that built on this success. Ciaran embarked on a strategic direction and vision for the company and in the last 12 months has positioned the business from a challenger brand to the market leader in a very competitive market. ARN has had its best year yet, taking out the #1 and #2FM stations and breakfast shows in Sydney and the #1FM stations around the country.
Ciaran’s strategy has combined the best people, most entertaining talent and bold client solutions to build a strong, contemporary media company.
The commercial results have been positive, with ARN growing revenue and market share, increasing yield, and, importantly, driving demand for ARN within the challenging media environment.
Ciaran Davis, CEO of ARN said: “I feel incredibly privileged to win this award tonight. I have worked in radio for over fifteen years, it’s a dynamic industry to work in and this award is a strong endorsement for the industry. This award also vindicates the hard work and commitment of all the staff at ARN who are driven and passionate people.”
Ciaran was presented with his award at the gala event held at Sydney’s Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom. The awards were hosted by Eddie McGuire and judged by an expert panel of highly regarded business professionals including Nick Abboud, CEO and Managing Director Dick Smith, Bob Black, Former Managing Director Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands TNT, John Karagounis, Managing Director and CEO, The CEO Circle, Luisa Pastrello, General Manager Australia and New Zealand, Etihad Airways, and The CEO Magazine’s judges, Chris Dutton and Daniel Di Loreto.
With more than 600 entries, the Awards identify the achievements of aspiring and established leaders in 20 categories across industry sectors from media, retail, construction, natural resources and energy, health and pharmaceutical to telecommunications.
Other highlights were Gina Rinehart from Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd named Chairperson of the Year for a second year in a row who attended the event to accept her award, Adam Jacobs, Managing Director of The Iconic was named Young Executive of the Year and Peter Bosilkovski, Managing Director of Leo Burnett Sydney was awarded Media Executive of the Year.
“I am exceptionally proud to have been named Media Executive of the Year. I absolutely love what I do and to be recognised in this way, up against such fierce competition, is a great honour. Whilst this is a personal award, the entire team at Leo Burnett has played a role in this achievement – through the relentless agency-wide dedication to achieving excellence, driving innovation and encouraging risk taking, all while having fun doing it,” said Pete Bosilkovski, Managing Director Leo Burnett Sydney.
