The Australian Association of National Advertisers’ (AANA) Board has appointed a new director, Grant Blackley, chief executive officer & managing director of Southern Cross Austereo (SCA).

“I’m very pleased Grant will be joining the AANA Board. He brings with him more than 30 years’ experience leading some of the nation’s top broadcasters, including five years as CEO at the Ten Network and the past four as CEO at SCA. Having his perspective at the board table will help give us a 360 degree view of the issues impacting our industry,” said AANA chair, Matt Tapper.

SCA has the ability to reach more than 95% of the Australian population through its radio, television and digital assets. Led by the Triple M and Hit Networks, SCA owns 78 radio stations (plus an additional eight digital radio stations) across metropolitan and regional Australia. The entertainment company broadcasts 92 free-to-air TV signals in regional Australia, predominantly under the Nine Network brand, and owns leading commercial Podcast Network, PodcastOne Australia. Blackley also chairs Commercial Radio Australia and is a director of Free TV Australia.

“I look forward to contributing to the great work the AANA Board does advocating for national advertisers and, as custodians of the self-regulatory system, protecting our right to commercial free-speech,” said Blackley.

The announcement follows the appointments to the board in November of Andrew Hicks, director of marketing, Woolworths Food Group & Supermarkets; Martin Brown, director for eBusiness, Strategy & Marketing, Nestlé Oceania; and Lisa Ronson, chief marketing officer, Coles.

Mike Connaghan stepped down from the board after resigning as WPP CEO late 2018.