Michael Stephenson became CEO of ARN in early 2026 following a planned succession, having joined the company as chief operating officer after a long senior career in Australian media. Before moving into radio, Stephenson held senior commercial and operational leadership roles at Nine Entertainment, where he was closely involved in integrated advertising strategies across broadcast and digital platforms. At ARN, he is responsible for setting the company’s overall strategic direction, spanning broadcast radio, digital audio, podcasting and advertising growth. His remit includes driving organizational change while positioning Australia’s largest commercial radio group to compete in an increasingly global, platform-led audio market.
RedTech: Congratulations on your recent appointment as CEO of ARN. You’ve been in the industry for decades. What are the most consequential changes you’ve seen in your time as a media executive?
Michael Stephenson: It’s a huge privilege to be appointed as the CEO at ARN. I have seen so much change over the years; however, three things stand out as the most significant drivers of change throughout my career. The first was the launch and then dominance of global digital platforms and the speed at which advertisers moved advertising budgets from proven media to search and social at the expense of brand. I think this has normalized to a degree now, which is a good thing. The second was the changes we have seen in content consumption and the transition from traditional to digital platforms, from television, radio and print to streaming, on-demand and digital subscriptions. And finally, we are only just beginning to see the great benefits and challenges that AI will bring to media and advertising. I suspect this will have the greatest impact of all on our industry.
RedTech: You’ve made it very clear that you want to move away from audio-first to being entertainment-first. What does this shift in vision mean for ARN’s radio and audio business?
Stephenson: I have shared my bold vision for the future of our business: To transition from a radio business to an entertainment company that provides audio, video, social and live experiences. Audio remains at the very core of our company. Increasingly, the content we create or license will be for video and social platforms and used to create real experiences for audiences and advertisers. Audiences want great personalities, great stories and moments that cut through and create popular culture. Advertisers want to tell their stories in and around our content delivered across multiple platforms. Creating opportunities for audiences and brands is at the heart of our strategy.
Increasingly, the content we create or license will be for video and social platforms and used to create real experiences for audiences and advertisers.
RedTech: How are you thinking about capital allocation between growing radio’s share of audiences and investing in new initiatives to support your entertainment-first vision?
Stephenson: Our radio business remains at the very center of our company; however, I am deliberately investing in areas that extend our brands and talent beyond traditional radio. That includes digital audio, video-led content, branded partnerships and live experiences. Our strategy will be to run our radio business with an ongoing focus on driving operational efficiency whilst investing in content, data and technology growth initiatives that will deliver strong returns for our shareholders. We started investing behind the revenue curve, testing and learning with low-cost initiatives to manage investment risk before making larger, more strategic bets. Strong radio performance gives us the confidence to invest in growth areas, and those growth areas, in turn, strengthen the overall business.
RedTech: In Australia, which channel is growing ad spend fastest? How will ARN capture that growth with your new vision?
Stephenson: In recent times, irrespective of the broader economic and geopolitical environment, the Australian advertising market has continued to deliver low single-digit growth. The out-of-home sector, digital video, digital audio, search, social and retail media have largely driven ad growth. Television has shown the greatest decline, and traditional radio markets have been broadly flat. I believe that opportunity is everywhere, and I don’t accept that we are leveraged to one market or another. We are in the advertising market, and how much we grow, I believe, is in our hands. With the biggest stars, the best brands and a cross-platform strategy, ARN is well positioned. Advertisers are looking for big ideas and integrated solutions. Our entertainment-first approach allows brands to authentically and effectively connect with audiences through audio, video, social and live engagement. With this plan, we can operate in every growth market.
RedTech: How is ARN using first-party data to inform its programming and sales strategy?
Stephenson: A major part of my role is to accelerate our digital transformation. Creating and implementing a 1st party data strategy is central to our transformation. I am supercharging our long-term, multi-decade partnership with iHeart to fast-track our transition to a digital company. We have five million registered users in Australia, which is about 20% of the population, and we have built data partnerships to generate more than 800 audience segments. We have built a data lakehouse using data bricks and Microsoft Fabric. Through our apps, podcasts, digital platforms and promotions, we have a strong understanding of who our audiences are and how they engage with our content. That insight informs programming decisions, content development and commercial strategy. It also allows us to deliver more targeted, measurable outcomes and attribution for advertisers, based on real, measurable business outcomes.
Gen Z absolutely consumes audio and entertainment-based content, just not the way the rest of us perhaps do.
RedTech: Radio operators worldwide face a challenge: Gen Z does not have a traditional radio listening habit. Is that the same in Australia, and how are you addressing it?
Stephenson: Gen Z absolutely consumes audio and entertainment-based content, just not the way the rest of us perhaps do. They consume the content differently and on different platforms. Discovery often happens through social and short-form video, and listening is largely on demand. Our focus is on meeting them where they are with content and talent that feels relevant to their world. Podcasts, video and social are critical entry points. Once they connect with the personalities, our content can become a part of their broader media mix. This is why becoming a content and entertainment brand is so important.
RedTech: Top morning show talent in Australia commands compensation that is unusually high by global standards. How do you hedge against the loss of superstars?
Stephenson: Talent is one of our most valuable assets, and Australia has extraordinary broadcasters. Our talent sets us apart and gives our audience a reason to connect. To maximize returns from major contracts, having all rights to all content across all platforms and creating content distributed across multiple platforms is critical. We focus on building long-term partnerships with our stars, creating environments where talent can grow and evolve, and aligning their remuneration with the commercial success of our company and the return to our shareholders.
RedTech: How do you see AI playing a role in ARN’s business operations?
Stephenson: We are at the beginning of our AI journey. AI will be an important tool, and we are already using it to improve efficiency and decision-making across the business. That includes areas such as scheduling, content discovery, ad production and data analysis. The effective use of AI allows our teams to spend more time on creativity, strategy and building strong relationships with audiences and clients.
The core skills of storytelling, creativity and understanding the needs of audiences and advertisers are as important as ever.
RedTech: What skills should radio and audio businesses be recruiting today compared to five years ago?
Stephenson: The core skills of storytelling, creativity and understanding the needs of audiences and advertisers are as important as ever. However, the days of doing this within the traditional radio business are gone. You must be more digital, as an individual, as a team, or as a company, and you must understand, be curious, learn, and be comfortable with being cross-platform, understanding the roles of audio, video and social platforms, and the importance of data and technology in driving better outcomes.
RedTech: Radio companies are under real revenue pressure right now, which is leading to tough staffing decisions. What would you say to CEOs about keeping teams motivated and protecting culture?
Stephenson: Revenue pressure is a symptom of the challenges facing traditional media companies, not the problem. Those facing the most significant pressure have been the ones to react to changing conditions the slowest. Leaders cast long shadows. How you act, walk, talk and feel is how those around you will also act, walk, talk and feel. Leadership matters most when you are navigating change. Being open, visible and honest with teams is critical. People want clarity and to feel trusted. Protecting culture means having a plan, communicating clearly and often, recognizing effort, and reinforcing purpose. If people understand the direction and feel respected, they stay engaged even during challenging periods.
RedTech: Are there global media companies or leaders that inspire you? How have they influenced your vision and strategy?
Stephenson:I’m inspired by leaders and organizations that have successfully evolved legacy media brands while staying true to their core purpose. There are many great examples from around the world. I love watching what media companies in the Nordics and northern Europe are doing; I think they are the most interesting. The best examples put audiences first, invest in capability and are willing to experiment while staying commercially disciplined. That balance between creativity and accountability is something we are very focused on at ARN.
Editor’s Note: RedTech’s interview with Michael Stephenson was concluded prior to the Kyle and Jackie O Show being taken off-air.
This story originally appeared in the March/April 2026 edition of RedTech Magazine. You can read or download that edition for free here.
You can access all past RedTech publications, also for free, here.
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