MediaWorks Radio: 2015 Line-Ups for the Rock and the Sound

2 December, 2014

MediaWorks Radio Announces 2015 Line-Ups for the Rock and the Sound

MediaWorks is refreshing its announcer line-ups for popular radio brands The Rock and The Sound. The changes involve the breakfast and daytime shows on both stations, and will further strengthen MediaWorks’ dominance in commercial radio.

The Sound has been one of MediaWorks’ fastest growing radio brands since it launched in 2012, winning Station of the Year the following year. In 2015 it will be boosted by the addition of two major broadcasting stars.

Multi-award winning announcer Leah Panapa will move from The Rock to join Mark McCarron and Geoff Bryan as co-host of The Sound breakfast show; and Tracey Donaldson will become the new host of The Sound workday show after 14 years of hosting the popular No Repeat Workdays on The Rock.

The refreshed line-up for The Rock sees cricket legend and broadcaster Simon Doull re-joining the station’s Morning Rumble breakfast show, in place of Leah Panapa. Doull returns to The Rock after a six year absence, during which he worked with the Indian Premiere League and led Sky Sport’s cricket commentary team. Also new to the Morning Rumble is Jennifer Bainbridge (currently host of The Sound workday) as newsreader.

Group Content Director - Music for MediaWorks Radio, Leon Wratt says: “We have fantastic depth and breadth of talent, and these changes will strengthen both radio brands.

“On The Rock, the refreshed Morning Rumble will sit alongside our new Jono & Ben Drive show, while The Sound changes represent a significant opportunity for us to further extend our market position with Leah and Tracey, two of our most talented broadcasters who will bring great value to the station.

“Welcome back, of course, to Doully, and to Jen who joins The Rock team in the New Year.”

The Rock is the #1 radio station for men aged 10 and over,* while The Sound is the #1 station for 35-59 year-olds.*

Leah Panapa has been with The Rock for 14 years. She says: “I’m very proud of The Rock and to have been part of The Morning Rumble for over a decade! It is pretty hard to get up every morning at a sparrows fart, and then (try) and be entertaining, and I think we have achieved that.

“I am now really excited (not about the getting up early part… again) to join The Sound with Mark McCarron and Geoff Bryan. The Sound team are passionate and driven and has a clear objective of where they want to go, and I truly believe this is the beginning of something great!”

Tracey Donaldson says: “After 14 years I made the decision to make a change, and am so excited to have the opportunity to stay within MediaWorks while indulging my love of music radio. I’m proud to be leaving on a high, having taken the Workday to #1 nationwide,^ and to be working alongside my former Rock colleagues Leah Panapa and Robert Taylor at The Sound is the icing on the cake.”

MediaWorks is recruiting for a new host for The Rock workday (10am-3pm) show.

TNS New Zealand Commercial Survey 2-2014
*National Station Share (%), All 10+, Mon-Sun 12mn-12mn
**National Station Share (%), All 35-59, Mon-Sun 12mn-12mn
^National Station Share (%), All 10+, Mon-Fri 10am-3pm

The Sound 2015
Breakfast – Mark McCarron, Leah Panapa, Geoff Bryan
Workday – Tracey Donaldson
Drive – Robert Taylor
Nights – Mark Smith

The Rock 2015
Breakfast – Roger Farrelly, Bryce Casey, Simon Doull, Jen Bainbridge
Workday - TBC
Drive – Jono Pryor, Ben Boyce
Nights – Mike Garvey

MediaWorks is New Zealand’s largest independent broadcaster, reaching 3.8 million Kiwis through its TV, Radio and Digital platforms. The company owns and operates television channels TV3, FOUR and The Edge TV; radio brands The Edge, The Rock, More FM, The Breeze, The Sound, Mai FM, George FM, Kiwi FM, LiveSPORT and RadioLIVE; a network of websites including 3news.co.nz and 3NOW, and a family of mobile and tablet apps. MediaWorks’ entertainment and news brands and people are household names, with loyal, highly engaged audiences. www.mediaworks.co.nz

ENDS

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