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Monday March 22, 2010

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Neil Mitchell re-signs with 3AW Radio

Posted by: Neil Mitchell | 10 December, 2009 - 8:43 AM


ABOVE: Neil Mitchell discusses why he re-signed with 3AW Radio.


NEIL MITCHELL: Good morning. I hate this - I really, really hate this.

There are many people in this industry who like talking about themselves but I don't.

But after the television news last night and the papers today I have to do it. You see, it's true. I have been in contract negotiations with 3AW for some months and I hate that too.

And yes, I have had an approach from another organisation - I have spoken with them. I will not name that organisation but it's not too hard to guess.

I won't say what we discussed – I never will – that was confidential. But it is correct they are looking at setting up a rival to 3AW, a rival talkback station to 3AW in Melbourne and obviously that's why they approached me to change.

Yesterday somebody leaked all of this. I can assure you I did not. I certainly didn’t want it out in public and I am certain the people who approached me didn't want it out in public either.

Anyway, I've had meetings and so has the man who handles such negotiations for me. I didn't do it myself because I find that very uncomfortable.

I will say that the people who approached me were extremely professional, extremely persuasive and extremely determined – they behaved impeccably in their dealings with me and I have no complaint about them at all.

Meanwhile, at 3AW, negotiations continued. They were continuing into last night after that story broke yesterday.

There had been a lot of toing and froing and words and it dragged on too much and none of us liked that. Now I have had several people – some prominent people – contact me since this became public and urged me to leave 3AW.

That was the wrong thing for them to do. It's none of their business and they should have stayed out of it.

I have done a lot of thinking over recent weeks and the alternative offer was very generous – more generous than 3AW's. That offer will remain confidential.

It's interesting you know when you sit down to think about something like this. What goes through your mind?

One, it's flattering, extremely flattering to have somebody think that after 22 years on radio you are worth a lot more money.

Two, it does make you reassess – to look at what you do and why you do it, which probably all should do more often.

Three, it makes you appreciate things. I discovered a sense of loyalty, a sense that the 3AW audience really is a part of my life. I had to think if I leave am I being disloyal to that audience, if I leave will that audience come with me, do I want to go and fight against something I have worked for 22 years to help build.

When I took over here on Mornings, when Ross Stevenson and I took over on Breakfast and Mornings 3AW was in deep trouble. I was told by management at the time that if I failed the company failed.

Now Ross has done a job in Breakfast that is just brilliant. I think he's the most successful broadcaster in Australia, possibly the most successful in Australian history. Now he doesn't go on about that, that's Ross, that's part of the reason behind his success.

He doesn't carry on about it he just does it. But I have been very fortunate to follow him in this shift and we have both worked very hard to keep both shifts at No.1 basically for 20 years, and that is also unprecedented at 3AW.

I am sorry I am going on about it. I feel I need to explain it before I get to a decision.

We all sometimes feel we're taken for granted, whether it's in a job or in a marriage – we all have that feeling. When a big offer comes along you feel more respected and recognised.

So, the negotiations continued into last night with 3AW and at around 9pm I got a copy of an adjusted agreement and about 15 minutes ago (8:15am, Thursday) I signed that agreement. So I have decided to stay at 3AW.

It was a tough decision, I was tempted. I have decided to stay, not because of the management or the money – the alternative offer was significantly more generous but money isn't everything and I have always felt that.

And the more I thought this through the less important it became, 3AW pays me well – very, very well.

I know these sounds trite, but I have stayed because of you, because of the audience and because of what 3AW is. I know it sounds trite but it's fair dinkum, it is true.

3AW is bigger than Ross or me or the management, Fairfax or Southern Cross or whoever is going to own us next week. If that all sounds trite and sooky – and no doubt many people won’t believe me – but it's true.

Blog comments Your Say

  • I am very glad of your decision to stay Neil.I value your informative comments and your honest confrontations and your usually blunt questions to Parliamentary Members both State and Federal.Also your compassionate ways with really needy people.No-one else could do it as you do.I am privileged to listen to you as many days as I can.Thank you for your decision to stay and talk to us from the 3AW studio.

    Evelyn Hill Monday 22 February, 2010 - 5:14 PM

  • my gosh these comments? the people that left them on sunday,are you serious?? old hacks?? look what happened when a younger presenter was left in control of the mic, look at comments he made that got him in so much trouble, no thanks, and US talk back?? who are you, who cares about US talk back, we live in australia'mate' not US get real,and i have listened to neil mitchel for many years and never her self promotion, its just not him. hes a quality personality who is in hot demand. lets all appreaciate it while we can.

    steve Tuesday 15 December, 2009 - 12:45 PM

  • Some of the comments I have seen just of the first page are so wrong. Who could alerted the plight of the conjoined twins and raised money and exposure like Neil did. Who could have raised the money for the Adolescent unit at the RCH like Neil did. Who could have made a difference to the little girls life who's final wish was to join the cheer leaders at Melbourne Storm before she sucummed to cancer - Neil did (and the list continues). I couldn't see John Faine, Red Symons or for that matter Derryn Hinch giving the exposure like Neil Mitchell. This is community service radio headed by someone who has a passion to help. To all of you pratting on, if you don't like Neil switch over to the ABC. I for one think this man does a great job for the Victorian community which I believe, no one will come close to for a long time. Great news Neil. You will still be like to loving uncle.

    Jane Tuesday 15 December, 2009 - 7:06 AM

  • Game on I am rapt that youre staying on. Neil as someone who has worked for you at some point several years ago at 3AW you are a decent man with decent intentions and even though the talk radio landscape is firing up with Singo entering the market, Melbourne would be so much more the poorer for you not being on the wireless at the institution that is 3AW.
    The fact it took this to get a better deal for yourself is I believe insulting and a slap in the face to a consistent and massive ratings magnet that you have been over 2 decades.

    Glenn Sunday 13 December, 2009 - 7:42 PM

  • you know if you left the station you would have failed at the other station and your ego couldn't take it.

    bob Sunday 13 December, 2009 - 1:15 PM

  • SELF PROMOTION - pardon me whilst I vomit~! I'm surprised you didn't drag out - "I still call Australia home"~! GET OVER YOURSELF~!

    Lenny Sunday 13 December, 2009 - 10:06 AM

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