Advertisement

Former sportsreader in line to run Radio Adelaide

A former sports journalist, PR man and online entrepreneur is set to be appointed to oversee the relocated Radio Adelaide, InDaily understands.

Jun 23, 2016, updated Jun 23, 2016

It’s believed the board of the station, which the University of Adelaide cut loose earlier this year in a budget-saving exercise, is in negotiations with one-time Network Ten personality Rob Popplestone to manage the newly-incorporated body, which will be relocated to share digs with Fresh 92.7 from next month.

Popplestone has not yet responded to inquiries from InDaily.

Business consultant and former state Liberal leader Iain Evans – who was appointed chair of the newly independent Radio Adelaide in May – would not comment on an impending appointment.

“We’re in negotiations with a potential manager and we won’t be making an announcement until a contract’s signed,” he said.

Asked what the role would involve, he said: “We’ll announce that when we announce the position and the successful candidate.”

Asked specifically about Popplestone’s interest, Evans said he was “not going to go through the over-20 applicants that we’ve had until the contract is signed”.

“All I’m saying is we’re negotiating with our preferred candidate and expect to have an announcement any day,” he said.

Building works are ongoing at Fresh’s studios, where Radio Adelaide will be co-located, but the operation has to vacate its current premises this week, after the university sold off the North Terrace digs.

After leaving Ten in 2007, Popplestone worked as a marketing manager with the SA Jockey Club.

2014-09-21_171106_Poppy_and_The_General_rgb

Popplestone has retained media commitments, including announcing with Phil Smyth on 5ebi. Photo: www.5ebi.com.au

His LinkedIn profile also lists him as general manager of EyeWorldTv.com, billed as an “interactive online streaming television station”. The website address does not appear to be active, and InDaily reported in 2011 that Popplestone had confirmed its closure.

Popplestone was a minority backer of AustraliaLiveTV.com, a free internet broadcast company that collapsed in 2011 with reported debts of $3 million and owing money to a host of prominent SA media identities.

Local News Matters
Advertisement
Copyright © 2024 InDaily.
All rights reserved.