KIIS 101.1’s Jase & PJ return from break with new contributor in “crunch year”

Jase and PJ

Melbourne radio battle starts one week early at KIIS 101.1

ARN has secured the services of AFL premiership legend and Brownlow medallist Dane Swan who joined Melbourne’s Jase & PJ show today. The KIIS 101.1 FM breakfast show returned from break early, one week before the return of radio ratings next Sunday.

The deal by ARN was negotiated with Liam Pickering’s Precision Sports Entertainment Group which represents Swan.

In November 2020, Swan was a guest on Jase & PJ in the Morning. He unexpectedly revealed that he and his partner Taylor Wilson are expecting their first child in February.

Dane Swan

Retiring in 2016, Swan is one of the greatest midfielders of the modern era. Drafted by the Collingwood Football Club in 2001 he had a stellar career winning the Brownlow medal in 2011 as well as the Copeland Trophy three times.

Swan said, “Joining Jase & PJ is the perfect fit for me, a great opportunity to make their mornings more intellectual and smarterer. I can’t wait to get started. I love to tell a story – I’ve got a fair few to share.”

“Quick-witted, calm and good-looking”

Jason ‘Jase’ Hawkins said, “You never quite know what Dane will deliver and he’s everything I want to be… quick-witted, calm and good-looking. I’m hoping this will rub off on me the more time I spend with him.”

Polly ‘PJ’ Harding added, “He’s as Melbourne as they come; easy-going, quick-witted and one of those people that brings a bit of spice to the footy scene.”

The KIIS 101.1 breakfast hosts are well aware they need to lift ratings at the station this year. The show subsequently is the first ARN program back on air after its summer break. All other shows expected back on Monday January 18.

ARN’s chief content officer Duncan Campbell said, “Dane will be a terrific addition to Jase & PJ in the Morning. His AFL knowledge and insights combined with that unique sense of humour of his and laid-back style means he’s a perfect fit for the show. He will create even more engaging local content for KIIS 101.1 breakfast listeners.”

Speaking to Mediaweek after the final radio ratings were released in December 2020, Campbell said 2021 was a “crunch year” for KIIS 101.1.

“Regarding KIIS Melbourne, we are doing a fair bit of work to better understand what the key issues are.”

See also:
ARN’s Duncan Campbell: SCA’s Perth moves, crunch time for KIIS 101.1

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