CRA appoints Helena O’Dowd head of commercial strategy

Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) has named Helena O’Dowd as head of commercial strategy, a new leadership role centred on delivering key initiatives under CRA’s 2030 strategic plan.

The position is designed to strengthen how the audio sector drives audience and revenue growth, with a clear mandate to translate consumer and client needs into industry-level solutions.

O’Dowd brings more than two decades of experience across marketing and media. She joins from Nine, where she most recently served as director of growth and retention, working across the group’s portfolio including 9Network, 9Now, Nine Publishing, Nine Radio, Stan, Domain, Drive and Pedestrian.

Her remit at Nine also included collaboration with major external partners such as the NRL, Tennis Australia, Rugby Australia, the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia.

Prior to Nine, O’Dowd held senior roles at OMD and EssenceMediacom.

CRA chief executive officer Lizzie Young said the appointment reinforces the organisation’s focus on aligning audio’s commercial proposition with marketer expectations.

“This is an exciting appointment for CRA and the entire industry. Helena's understanding of the consumer marketing landscape, as well as commercial realities, makes her exceptionally well placed to understand the challenges facing marketers today,” Young said.

“We have incredible audience scale, data which demonstrates the power of audio and its ability to drive profitable growth for brands, and an innovation pipeline centred around our strategic priorities to grow audience and make audio easier to buy.”

Young added that the new role complements CRA’s broader member support strategy.

“This role with a dedicated customer focus in market complements our existing activities and the broader CRA team which supports our members - Australia’s commercial audio broadcasting sector.”

O’Dowd said audio’s continued momentum made the move compelling.

“Looking at the landscape, audio is in growth, demonstrating that consumers are making it clear the role audio plays in their lives,” O’Dowd said.

“I am excited to step into the world of CRA where collaboration and appetite amongst the industry and members to move at pace has been overwhelmingly positive.”

“I look forward to helping customers access some of Australia’s leading brands in a more seamless way to help solve business problems and deliver results.”