MediaWorks is refreshing its announcer line-ups for radio brands The Rock and The Sound. The changes involve the breakfast and daytime shows on both stations.
The Sound has been one of MediaWorks’ fastest growing radio brands since it launched in 2012, and in 2015 will be boosted by the addition of two major broadcasting stars.
Award winning announcer Leah Panapa will move from The Rock to join Mark McCarron & 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.
“We have fantastic depth and breadth of talent, and these changes will strengthen both radio brands,” said MediaWorks Radio group content director – Music Leon Wratt.
“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. “I’m very proud of The Rock and to have been part of The Morning Rumble for over a decade,”she said (in a statement). “It is pretty hard to get up every morning at sparrow 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 said: “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.
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
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