RAJAR’s O’Hara To Step Down As Managing Director
RAJAR has announced that Jane O’Hara is to step down as managing director after three and a half years at the audience research body.
O’Hara will leave the company at the end of this year to pursue her long-held ambition of going long distance sailing. Her departure comes just weeks after RAJAR announced plans to invest a further £500,000 in testing the latest electronic audience meters (see RAJAR To Invest In Further Electronic Measurement Trials).
Commenting on her decision, O’Hara said: “”This is an appropriate time for a change. The RAJAR contract is not out for tender at the present time and therefore my successor will have an opportunity to get their feet under the table before that process begins.”
RAJAR chairman, Lord Gordon, added: “Jane has done a great job for RAJAR, sometimes in very difficult circumstances. She will be sorely missed. Finding a replacement with similar qualities and experience will be a challenge but the foundations laid by Jane will smooth the path for the new managing director.”
Earlier this year RAJAR decided not to introduce an electronic radio audience measurement system in the immediate future, despite claims from some in the industry that its current diary system is flawed (see RAJAR Says ‘No For Now’ To Electronic Measurement).
The move attracted considerable criticism from outspoken Wireless Group chief executive, Kelvin MacKenzie, who has since threatened the company with legal action over its rejection of the electronic meters (see Industry Responds To Rejection Of Electronic Measurement).
However, RAJAR has received the support of advertisers keen to protect the integrity of the currency used to trade £600 million worth of radio audiences each year (see Agencies Support Rejection Of Electronic Measurement).
O’Hara’s decision to step down comes follows BARB’s recent announcement that Bjarne Thelin, director of planning at Carlton Television, will replace Caroline McDevitt as chief executive of the television audience research body early next year (see BARB Appoints Thelin As New Chief Executive).
RAJAR: 020 7903 5350 www.rajar.co.uk
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