Gary Roberts resigns after 16 years as MD of Nova 93.7 and a near 50 year career in radio
NOVA Entertainment today announced that Gary Roberts, Managing Director of Nova 93.7 Perth, has tendered his resignation effective from 2 July.
With nearly 50 years’ experience in broadcast media, including 16 years as Managing Director for Nova 93.7, Roberts has made an outstanding contribution to NOVA Entertainment and the radio industry.
Before joining Nova 93.7, to launch the iconic Nova radio station in 2002, Roberts held long term positions as Managing Director at Austereo’s Mix 94.5 and 92.9fm in Perth. He also served on the CRA Board for eight years, three of which as Chair of Commercial Radio Australia between 1998 to 2000.
Cathy O’Connor, NOVA Entertainment CEO said, “It is hard to sum up Gary’s contribution to both NOVA Entertainment and the radio industry in a single sentence. Gary has been an industry icon and a tireless leader for our very successful Perth team. We sincerely thank him for his contribution over many, many years.”
“It is with sadness that after 16 years, I am leaving an incredible team and station,” said Roberts. “I am so proud to have been part of building Nova 93.7 from the ground up. We’ve put together a world class team, both on and off air, and created a high performing business that continues to deliver record ratings and revenue. After 50 years in the radio industry, for me, it’s time for a change.”
Jamie Martinovich, Nova 93.7 Sales Director, will take on the additional interim role of Acting General Manager until further notice.
4 Comments
The end of a most magnificent career in radio. Undoubtedly the most successful radio practitioner in the country and great leader. Well done Gary Roberts.
A stellar career. A true leader and will be dearly missed. All the best for the next phase Mr Roberts.
Gary is both a great friend and a radio legend. To find out more about him, go here:
https://youtu.be/Oqk7n3zLaVc
For me, it is both saddening and gladdening that Gary is leaving Nova. Sad because it brings to an end an almost 40 year relationship working with him that began with the brand development and launch of 96fm in 1980. The station went on to top the Perth radio ratings for a record 34 consecutive surveys.
During the early nineties, he oversaw the rejuvenation and conversion of 6KYFM and PMFM into 94.5 and 92.9. Again, he achieved monumental success. 94.5 became number one and 92.9 number two in the Perth commercial radio market. It was during his tenure, to encourage radio commercial creativity and production, he introduced the Perth Radio Writers Award – still Australia’s richest radio prize.
In 2002, he launched and created the brand success that is Nova 93.7 – now with more Perth listeners than any other station.
My gladness comes from the knowledge that Gary will shortly be free from the inevitable pressures, constraints and machinations in successfully operating and growing the Perth component of the national brand that is Nova.
To those who now face the daunting task of continuing Gary’s legacy – for the time being at least – Jamie Martinovich with whom I have enjoyed a long relationship which began when he was the Promotions Manager at Channel Seven during the early nineties (when along with Seven’s Chris O’Mara, Mark Cloudesdale and Marty Maher and others including Alan Taylor, Craig Buchanan and Wayne Vinten at FCB Shorter, we created what may well be the State’s longest running campaign – ‘Nobody Knows News Like Seven’); plus Dan Underhill who graciously asked me to write a brand credo revolving around the benefits of ‘risk creation’ [as opposed to ‘risk dilution’] for Nova during 2004 which Gary later published as a trade ad in Campaign Brief – I offer my wholehearted and continuing support if appropriate or required.
I am unendingly grateful for the many learnings, opportunities and experiences that my relationship with Gary produced. I feel extremely privileged to have played a very minor role in Gary’s successes.
Over time, I learnt that Gary was, and is a conviction manager. This demanded fearlessness, single mindedness, courage and the managing of consensus. Mediocrity has never been part of his lexicon. Fools never survived.
Our many meetings were never across the barrier represented by desks – he would always sit alongside. That he cultivated and enjoyed amazing respect, support and loyalty from his team was to my mind, part of his inclusive management style as local Novationals know – I’m speaking of Jacqui, Madeleine, Drew, Steve, Nathan, Nat, Shaun and the many others.
Nonetheless, as the Buddha says, ‘all things must pass:’ impermanence is permanent. I hate the term ‘going forward’ when what is meant is ‘in future.’ For that which is foreseeable, I wish Gary and Wendy a long and rewarding holiday. By God, they both deserve it. Paris awaits you.
Long term, I am convinced Gary will emerge ebullient, energised and engaged in whatever he chooses to embrace. He knows better than most, the future belongs to those who see it first.