ARN ramps up iHeart growth plans with two senior appointments

ARN is accelerating plans to expand iHeart in Australia, appointing two senior executives as the platform pushes further into live entertainment, video and branded content.

Shauna Anderson (pictured) has joined as director of content for iHeart, while music and entertainment executive Elle Bowles has been appointed senior manager of iHeart LIVE.

The appointments form part of a broader strategy by ARN to position iHeart as a cross-platform entertainment ecosystem spanning audio, podcasts, video, social and live experiences.

SEE MORE: iHeart signs brothers Malik, Ron and Jaylek Nikua

Anderson will oversee iHeart’s content strategy, including original podcasts, talent development and branded content initiatives, alongside expanding ARN’s digital and video capabilities.

Bowles will lead iHeart LIVE, focusing on premium fan and brand experiences designed to extend beyond traditional events into broader cultural and social moments.

ARN chief content officer Kerri Elstub said the company is looking to build iHeart into something much larger than a traditional streaming platform.

“We are building something much bigger than a streaming platform or podcast network,” she said. “iHeart is a true entertainment super platform creating deeper connections with audiences at scale.”

The push comes as competition intensifies across the audio and podcasting market, with media companies increasingly investing in video, live experiences and creator-led formats to deepen audience engagement and unlock new commercial opportunities.

According to ARN, iHeart now reaches 7.8 million podcast listeners monthly in Australia, generating more than 25 million monthly downloads and connecting with around five million registered users locally.

Bowles will also build on iHeart LIVE’s growing event slate, with more than 20 live experiences planned across 2026. Recent activations have included talent-led events featuring figures such as Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.

Both executives are based in Sydney and have commenced in their roles.