Hot91.1 and Zinc96 Troy ‘Chooky’ Deighton is stepping out of the General Manager role to head up a newly formed department for the Grant Broadcasters radio network as Digital and New Media Manager.

In his place returns former Hot91 and Zinc96 General Manager Steve Hirst who has spent the past 2.5 years looking after syndication and various digital radio projects with Nova.

Deighton will remain located in Maroochydore, the Queensland and Northern Territory hub for Grant Broadcasters.

The Digital and New Media Department will now service the entire network of over 50 Grant Broadcasters stations Australia-wide, bringing with it a variety of new Sunshine Coast based employment opportunities.

“This change is an illustration of the progressive nature of the company in an evolving media landscape, with Grant Broadcasters now on the cutting edge of New Media. It’s an exciting time for radio and I’m proud to be a part of it,” Deighton says.

Meanwhile, the radio side of the business is in experienced hands. Hirst offers over 10 years of radio experience, the last two at the forefront of radio’s digital explosion in a coveted role at Nova.

“I couldn’t be more excited about joining such a passionate and experienced team,” Hirst says.