Agency revenue up nearly 10% in H2.

Reports that HT&E is seeking a private equity suitor have been dismissed by the media group. 

The Australian Radio Network's parent company APN will change its name to HT&E, short for Here There & Everywhere.

The name change was agreed to at the company's annual general meeting today, where APN announced it will recommence paying dividends to shareholders after a significant restructure of the company over the past few years.

Explaining the name change CEO Ciaran Davis told shareholders:
 

Ciaran Davis has been appointed to the APN board as an Executive Director (Managing Director) of the Company, effective immediately.

APN News & Media Chairman, Peter Cosgrove, said: “Ciaran has made a significant contribution to APN. He was promoted to the position of Chief Executive of the Company in August 2015 from his role as Chief Executive of APN’s Australian Radio Network (ARN). Since his appointment, he has led the Company through a phase of substantial transformation and strategic development.

APN News and Media Limited shareholders have voted in favour of the demerger of its New Zealand business NZME.
 
It was an overwhelming vote with 99.98% of shareholders in favour.
 
APN and Fairfax confirmed NZ merger plans following the May AGM, with APN extending a halt in trading on the stock exchange.
 

APN News & Media Limited has announced the resignation of Jane Hastings as chief executive officer of NZME, and the appointment of current NZME chief financial officer, Michael Boggs as her replacement, effective Friday 8th April, 2016.

Jane Hastings has been with the APN Group since May 2012 leading TRN to strong growth, and in her current role since September 2014 where she led the successful formation of NZME.

Michael Boggs will report to APN Chief Executive Officer Ciaran Davis.

Saxon in the afterglow of the ACRAs after parties

Ciaran Davis has recently stepped into the top job as CEO of APN, and last week he passed the baton for his old job to Tony Kendall, who will replace him at the helm of the Australian Radio Network.
 
Kendall was previously Director of Sales at Bauer Media, and before that he held a range of senior commercial management roles at News Corp Australia.
 
radioinfo spoke to Ciaran Davis about his new role and about Tony Kendall’s appointment.
 

With Ciaran Davis' recent appointment to the Chief Executive position at parent company APN News & Media, his replacement at Australian Radio Network has been named as Tony Kendall.

Kendall (pictured) joins ARN from Bauer Media where he is currently director of sales. He joined Bauer in early 2013 from News Corp Australia where he spent over 23 years in senior commercial management roles across Melbourne, Sydney and New York including a year as the CEO of the Australian magazine division.

Michael Miller has resigned as CEO of APN to join News Limited as Executive Chairman.

Ciaran Davis will replace him as CEO of APN. A recruitment process is underway for a new CEO for the Australian Radio Network to replace Davis.

The changes will take place from September 1st.

APN Chairman Peter Cosgrove said: