ARN taps ex-TikTok music lead Ollie Wards to drive video and social push

ARN has appointed former TikTok and Triple J executive Ollie Wards as director of video and social, as the audio group accelerates its shift toward a cross-platform entertainment model.

The newly created role will see Wards lead ARN’s video and social strategy across platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, while scaling content across its iHeart ecosystem.

Reporting to chief content officer Kerri Elstub, Wards will focus on expanding audience reach, developing new content formats and unlocking additional revenue streams beyond broadcast.

The appointment signals a broader push by ARN to evolve from a traditional radio business into a platform-led entertainment player, with video expected to play a central role.

Wards joins from TikTok, where he was director of music for Australia and New Zealand, leading the platform’s music strategy and partnerships. During his time there, he worked across artist development, trends and industry collaborations, including the launch of TikTok Trending with iHeart.

Prior to TikTok, Wards spent more than a decade at Triple J, including as content director, where he helped shape one of Australia’s most influential youth media brands. Elstub said Wards brings a strong understanding of how audiences engage with content across platforms.

“Ollie is one of the most respected digital and content leaders in the country, with a sharp instinct for what audiences connect with and how culture moves across platforms,” she said.

The move comes as ARN expands its digital ecosystem through its global partnership with iHeart, with new features including short-form video, full-length video podcasts and video ad insertion expected to roll out in the coming months.

Wards said the focus will be on evolving how ARN creates and distributes content.

“I’m excited to be driving video and social for iHeart and some of Australia’s most loved personalities and brands, plus building some new ones. We’ll be evolving how ARN makes great content for wherever audiences discover it.”