Make no mistake. ARN is in full rebuild mode.

Kerri Elstub and Dave Cameron have been working together for six weeks now and one thing is certain – they’re on the same page when it comes to the company’s future.

“We dovetail really well together,” says Elstub, ARN’s Chief Content Officer. “I talk to Dave more than I talk to my husband!”

Cameron, ARN’s Metro Director of Content, agrees they’re making progress.

And they make no bones about the fact they’re expecting turbulence ahead.

But not only have they buckled up for the ride – they’ve practically armed the doors and cross-checked.

In their post-survey interview with Radioinfo’s Steve Ahern, Elstub and Cameron are quizzed about Kris Fade – widely touted as the man who might replace Kyle Sandilands on KIIS.

Asked whether ARN has the Dubai-based announcer in its sights, Cameron’s response is as forthright as it is cryptic.

“Suffice to say, we’re always well advanced in our thinking, in our conversations. You won’t expect to see any announcement from this company any time in the short to medium (term) future, but we are well advanced on what the future looks like and how we will continue to grow the KIIS brand out.”

Despite all the changes – and all the upheaval following the collapse of the Kyle & Jackie O Show – Elstub says Survey 2 of 2026 has delivered pleasing results for ARN.

KIIS in Sydney lost one share point in Breakfast this book but went up in cume.

Elstub says “First off the bat, I really would like to give shout outs to Brooklyn, Pete, Nat and Mike E, who have been absolutely stellar in what they have delivered, despite the headlines, despite the turbulence, to have to jump into a longstanding Breakfast show and deliver how they have – and as you point out, a one (point) share drop – full absolute credit and kudos to that team.”

“We understand that this is a period of change. We know that there is turbulence coming. And we’re prepared for that. But right now, today, I really just wanted to focus on the incredible work of not only those four people, but DB and that entire KIIS Breakfast team behind them, who are delivering under immense scrutiny.”

Cameron isn’t sure we can read too much into today’s KIIS result.

“I think there’ll be an audience wash over the next six months, and that is natural, and we will rebuild a relationship with what I believe will be a high level of audience that we’ll be able to sustain in that market with a new approach and some fresh voices, a new strategy … and highly commercial.”

Cameron believes we’ll see some audience churn, but what’s being built will ultimately be of great benefit to the company, the audience and shareholders.

Of that, he is confident.

As to his thoughts on getting a local Breakfast show up and running on KIIS in Melbourne, Cameron says they’re not going to rush anything.

“I will say this – you’ve absolutely seen the bottom of that brand in this market and you are yet to see the top of that brand in this market. We will reconnect it back to the market as it should be, and it’ll be connected highly likely through its own breakfast show.”

But any announcements will come in the medium term future, he says.

Any suggestion that Christian O’Connell’s Melbourne audience on Gold 104.3 may have been disadvantaged by his expansion into Sydney – particularly given we’re now into footy season – is met with a passionate response from Cameron.

“Let me say something – Christian owns this market. Christian is loved in this market. And it is a Number One station and a Number One show and a Number One workday brand new Number One Drive with Jonesy & Amanda.”

“You couldn’t get a stronger station in Australia right now than Gold in Melbourne.”

“He’s well loved in Melbourne and soon to be well loved in Sydney because, as you can see, the cume in Sydney has gone up a little bit.”

“Christian is only going to continue to build,” says Elstub.

As for Jonesy and Amanda leading the way in Melbourne Drive, Elstub says “They have settled into that slot. The figures are already there … they are one of the best acts in town.”

And so for now, it’s a case of steady as she goes …

“We’re taking our time to make the right decisions for ARN,” says Elstub.

Image supplied.