Primedia Broadcasting, owners of successful radio stations 94.7 Highveld Stereo, Talk Radio 702, 94.5 Kfm and 567 CapeTalk, has announced a number of structural changes and promotions in its senior management team.

In a statement released at the beginning of March, Primedia Broadcasting CEO, Terry Volkwyn, said the "new appointments were all in line with the changing and growing needs of the group. At the same time, it allows the individuals concerned to grow and develop."

"The new structure forms part of our strategy to grow Primedia Broadcasting from a "Good to a Great" company," said Volkwyn.

Primedia Broadcasting acquired 94.5 Kfm late last year. The four stations have a combined listenership of almost three million.

"These changes will enable the expanded group to maximize growth and allow the four radio stations to provide world-class service, " said Primedia Broadcasting Executive Chairman, Dan Moyane.

*Ryan Till, currently Promotions Manager, has been appointed Group General Manager.

Till (33) has been with Primedia since 1997 - shortly after it bought 94.7 Highveld Stereo. He has been involved in almost all facets of the business from sales to on-line and programming promotions.

"I am excited about the challenges that lie ahead and it is a privilege to be involved in an business that operates world-class radio stations," said Till.

* 702 Station Manager, Yusuf Abramjee, has been promoted to Group Head: News and Talk Programming.

Abramjee (41) has been station manager for three years. Prior to that, he was 702's man in Pretoria, crime editor and acting news editor.

In his new role, Abramjee will oversee news and information, including traffic, sport and business for all four stations. He will also head-up the talk programming side of 702 and 567. The four stations will continue to run their independent newsrooms.

"The group will continue to grow the news and information services. We boast some of the best journalists and talk-show hosts in South Africa -many of whom have been with us for years and have worked their way up the ranks," said Abramjee.

"I am looking forward to working across the four premium brands," he added.

*Primedia Broadcasting's Regulatory Affairs Manager, Pheladi Gwangwa, succeeds Abramjee as 702's new station manager. Her successor is to be announced later.

Gwangwa joined Primedia in October 2002. She cut her teeth in the sector at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and its predecessor the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA). She is a qualified attorney.

Gwangwa (31) has been responsible for compliance in respect of the regulatory side of Primedia Broadcasting's businesses and helping to shape policy-making in the sector.

"I am thrilled to take up this new role and will continue to grow 'Jo'burg's No.1 News and Information Station.' I am grateful to management for trusting me and seeing my potential. We will continue our strategy of providing a platform for robust debate and talk and engaging 702landers," said Gwangwa.

*567 CapeTalk's Station Manager, Colleen Louw, has been appointed "Joint Station Manager of 567 Cape Talk and 94.5 Kfm".

Louw (30) was appointed Station Manager of 567 in 2003.

"I am looking forward to my additional role and will be exposed to a different format," said Louw. "There are most certainly exciting times that lie ahead."

Louw was Marketing Manager of 567 prior to her appointment as head of the station.

The 94.5 Kfm Station Manager position became vacant recently after Felicia Roman took up an opportunity within an empowerment consortium in the Western Cape.

*Current Operations Manager at 94.5 Kfm, Jaco Viljoen, has been appointed Group IT/Technical Manager.

He has been with the station since 1997 and started out as a sound engineer and worked himself up the ranks.

Viljoen (34) said: "I'm excited about the challenges and opportunities presented by new technologies in the broadcasting industry. I am looking forward to putting our stations at the forefront of the emerging digital technologies and convergence."

Yusuf Abramjee
Group Head: News and Talk Programming 702 Story

Pheladi Gwangwa
Station Manager: Talk Radio 702

Colleen Louw
Station Manager of 567 CapeTalk and 94.5 Kfm