Austereo Bosses Hail Hamish & Andy “Rock Stars” As Duo Take Swipe At Kyle
Hamish Blake and Andy Lee celebrated their return to Southern Cross Austereo’s drive time slot after a five year hiatus – and a rumoured $10 million contract – with a flash soiree on Sydney Harbour last night.
After firing himself out of a canon in Sydney’s freezing Darling Harbour yesterday to celebrate the comedic duo’s return in the coveted Drivetime spot, Hamish and Andy’s Andy Lee told B&T he is suffering and coming down with a croaky voice.
“I’m losing my voice because it was so cold,” he said.” Hot water and lemon and an early night for me!”
The presenters held the People’s Launch Party on a boat in Sydney harbour for 300 fans and industry types to celebrate their return to Austereo who are pinning their hopes on the duo following tough ratings since the departure of Kyle and Jackie O to cross-town rival KIIS.
And firing Lee out of a cannon is just one of the stunts the twosome have planned. Lee said, “If it’s there for the taking I’ll do it.” With Blake chiming in, “Andy got shot out of a cannon and wanted to wear a monkey suit but the circus folk said he couldn’t wear one as it would catch fire.”
On-stage, the duo joked that former colleague and now rival, Kyle Sandilands, was copying them as had called the canon company asking to do be fired out of a canon.
Lee joked: “I said to the guy, surely you don’t have enough compressed air in the world to be able to launch Kyle? Even with explosives you’re going to struggle.”
Earlier on in the day the pair held their show from the boat, where one listener unveiled her new boob job and Delta Goodrem offered a personal message.
The duo actually made their return to the national weekday drive slot they once dominated a week earlier than planned, and Southern Cross Austereo bosses hope their show, on the newly rebranded Today’s Hit Network – which is across 42 stations, including 2DayFM in Sydney and FoxFM in Melbourne – will boost figures for the station.
Their departure from 2Day FM in 2010 sent SCA’s audience share and stock price plummeting, while Kyle and Jackie O’s new station, KiiS, and network, ARN, have soared to success in the Sydney radio market.
Austereo’s CEO, Grant Blackley, who called Hamish and Andy “rock stars” also revealed his joy at achieving 10/10 with Survey Four last week, and threatened his radio rivals that it’s just a matter of time before the network is “number one in every slot that we deem appropriate by demographic. It may take us a little while in some cases, but rest assured, that’s our goal.
Talking about Lee’s cannonball stunt, Blackley laughed, “I’m on my way home last week, just the second week in the role, and I got a phone call at about five o’clock and they said, ‘There’s something you didn’t sign before you left.’ I asked what? And they said, ‘the insurance because we’re firing Andy out of a cannon.’
“Hamish and Andy are rock stars and when they were on drive time, only a short period ago, they were delivering over two million listeners and it was Australia’s most successful radio show and we’re absolutely delighted to see them back at Southern Cross and back on radio.”
Speaking about Survey 4, he added: “We were rewarded with 10 performances that all improved across both the Today and Triple M networks on a national level.
“We gained 200,000 listeners in that survey and we’re now reaching, for those marketing we’re measuring, 4.3 million listeners across our metro cities, and that’s without the 74 radio stations around the nation. So an outstanding effort to everyone involved in that achievement.
“I think the most important thing through all the results I saw last week is that we were delivering directly on two key milestones, the first one being number one metro solution for 18-49s, and the second one, being number one metro solution for 25-54s.
“I actually think the talent we have at the network is outstanding. What we’re going to do is make sure over the ensuing months and years that we deliver more often in a number one slot as much as we can. In terms of the phasing of the Hit Network, naturally the first thing was the rebranding, and secondly we’ve got Hamish and Andy coming into that market.
“So we will be number one in every slot that we deem appropriate by demographic. It may take us a little while in some cases, but rest assured, that’s our goal.
“To actually achieve those goals we do have a fairly determined effort in everything we do and what I promise you is that we’ll do it with some priority and on a consistent basis, so you can rely on us more often than not. I think it’s a really strong and vibrant business, and my role is to make it a great business,” Blackley said.
Latest News
Women in Media’s Doris Li: “Listen To Your Heart And Go For It, Then Settle For Extraordinary”
How Communications’ China marketing director, Doris Li, believes ad-land professionals must be courageous enough “to be abnormal”, and listen to their hearts, to be fearless in times of change. During this year’s B&T Women in Media Awards, presented by Bauer Media, we’ll be recognising exceptional people who have achieved success in their professional arenas, celebrating […]
Study: New Business Wins Still Resilient, But Creative Finding It Tougher Going Than Media
The holding companies might be losing as much as 23 per cent of their revenue year-on-year, but new business has remained relatively resilient through 2020, the lastest research from R3 has revealed. In the first half of 2020 total new business revenue decreased 10 per cent globally – but creative agencies are having to find […]
I’m Not Loving ‘Karens’, For What They Highlight About Our Society
In this guest post, the CEO of PR/comms agency Extollo, Katy Denis, examines the social phenomenon of our time – the entitled ‘Karens’ amongst us & why they can be such a danger… Until last week, I had no idea who or what a “Karen” is. Thanks to (and I use that term very lightly, […]
Telstra Calls In ABC Comic Mark Humphries To Hilariously Debunk 5G Conspiracy Theories
B&T finds the 5G conspiracy theories truly laughable, except Bill Gates wanting to microchip us all. That appears legit.
The Mint Partners Wins Pernod Ricard, Cemoy & Little National
Independent communications consultancy The Mint Partners has bolstered its integrated client roster and signed a number of premium lifestyle brands to kick start the new financial year. With an array of new products, services, and a focus on insight-led and creative integrated communications, MINT has enjoyed recent success with an expanded portfolio across new categories including fintech, […]
Activist Who Wanted Coon Cheese Shelved Now Wants Paul’s Smarter White Milk Renamed
B&T suggests new, less offensive names for Smarter Milk could be Udderly Delicious or the Liquid Lactose Lash.
University Of Tasmania Appoints Pivotus To Digital Advertising Strategy, Buying & Analysis
University Of Tassie set to debunk rumours its courses only include woodchopping, cider maker and a PHD in David Boon.
Aussie Agencies Top AD STARS 2020 Shortlist, With Ogilvy, M&C Saatchi Sydney And VMLY&R On Top
Aussie agencies dominate AD STARS shortlist, sending a clear warning to the likes of Bhutan & Kiribati in the process.
“I’d Rather Die Than Do This For A Day!” Influencer Lampooned For Job Ad From Hell
Who doesn't love to laugh at a "job ad from hell" story? Unless you once answered one and now have the job from hell.
Rumour Has It James Corden Will Replace Ellen If She Steps Down
Ellen set to join the list of ex-TV villains that also includes Ryan Phelan, Kerri-Anne Kennerley & Humphrey B. Bear
Indie Industry Body IMAA Launches First Radio Campaign With ARN
In what no one is calling a delicious irony, independent advertising body puts money where its mouth is by advertising.
opr Adds DocuSign To Client Roster
Sure, it might not be a Coke or a Qantas, but opr think this win significant enough to send well-meaning press release.
Stan Acquires Heckler Co-Produced Biopic On F1 champion Sir Jack Brabham
A feature length documentary on the extraordinary racing career of Australia’s first Formula 1 champion, Sir Jack Brabham, co-produced by design, animation and visual effects house Heckler, will be available on Stan exclusively from this Friday – 7 August. Directed by Ákos Armont (Aurora Films) in association with Heckler, whose co-founder Will Alexander served as […]
Monday TV Wrap: Bells Ring For Seven As Farmer Wants A Wife Continues Good Run
Farmer Wants A Wife does the business for Seven & we're yet to get to the neutering or the dagging part of the series.
Is This The End For Cash? 62% of Aussies Now Use Card Payments For Just About Everything
Dodgy tradies, international drug cartels and fountain wishing-wells set to be most effected by move away from cash.
ET Collective Announces 2020 Winner Of WomenKind X ET Initiative
Much like a winner's envelope that refuses to open, get past this confusing headline to reveal the winner inside.
“Notable For Its Exotic Plumage!” David Attenborough Lends Voice To Hilarious Anti-Trump Campaign
You rarely equate humour with political ads, & that just proves what a wonderful anomaly the Trump presidency truly is.
Seven Turns To Hit UK Format Beat The Chasers Comes To Find Australia’s Smartest
Seven unveils plans for a quiz show that sadly doesn't include a dunking machine or electric shocks for a wrong answer.
Adrian Farouk Appointed CEO Of Publicis’ Epsilon In ANZ
Adrian Farouk now guaranteed a spot in the Publicis' staff car park after promotion to Epsilon CEO.
“Now That’s A M***** F***** Burger!” Provocative Ad Sells Merits Of Going Vegan
The many advantages of veganism is getting to tell people 147 times a day & annoying the crap out of restaurant chefs.
Hays: 39% Of Job Applicants Have No Idea How To “Gain A Place On An Interview Shortlist”
Here's top tips for job applicants that include excluding juggling, the bagpipes and your Bali arrest on your resume.
Study: 1.5 Million Aussies Watch Netball On TV (& Third Of Those Are Men)
Study finds men are increasingly watching netball. Not helping with the housework, but definitely tuning-in to netball.
Hindus Rage At Unsavoury “Namaste Mother F@cker” T-Shirts
Sure, this T-shirt is kinda witty. Yet not appropriate for job interviews, a visit to nan's or Hindu cremation ceremony.
Would TikTok Be Missed?
Columnist poses the question - would TikTok be missed? B&T says not as much as vanilla Paddle-Pops or Best Of Red Faces.
NextMedia’s frankie And Gardening Australia Magazines Report “Surge In Sales”
Reports say frankie & Gardening Australia mag sales are soaring. Further proof that frankfurts & potted annuals are hip.
Mag Closures & The New Landscape For Earned Media
This columnist argues that fortune favours the brave. And that's from a media perspective, not a dragon fighting one.
“Worst Year In Living Memory!” Aussie Ad Spends Plummet 14.7% In 2019/20
As expected, 2019/20 ad spends make for very difficult reading indeed. Even more so if you've forgotten your glasses.
Jamie Whincup And A Host Of Aussie Personalities Star In Club Marine Series
In a first for the Australian insurance market, Club Marine, Australia’s largest provider of boat and pleasure-craft insurance, has released a new series of videos to help explain insurance cover. With a few familiar Aussie personalities to help out, Club Marine is helping its members, as well as the broader boating community, to understand the […]
Ultimate Edge Communications Welcomes Michaela Fulop Back As Client Success Manager
Sydney, July 31st, 2020: Sydney-based media marketing consultancy Ultimate Edge Communications (UEC) announces a new hire in the company’s media team; Michaela Fulop returns to fill the vacant role of Client Success Manager, to be the go-to person across the full client roster.
No Change At The Top! Initiative Remains Top Performing Media Agency For June
June's new business wins is pretty much the same as May's, just with a few less factual inaccuracies this time around.
