Big response for Today FM’s ‘new voice of a nation’ ad

More than 500 people responded to Today FM's "Wanted: The new voice of a nation" advertisement, which it ran in newspapers in December shortly after Ray D'Arcy left the radio station for RTÉ.

In the ad, Today FM said it was seeking people with a "great voice and a mind to go with it", "an abundance of fearless opinions and the eloquence, intelligence and passion to express them" and the "ability to listen as well as speak".

It also specified a need to be “in tune with modern Ireland” and ability “to enthral and entertain” among the qualifications.

The perks of the job were said to include “a rollercoaster of emotions”, “a team that has your back” and “more fun than you could ever imagine”.

Today FM chief executive Peter McPartlin says there were 520 responses to the ad, which was in large part intended as a spot of defiant marketing to suggest the station was ready to move on after D’Arcy’s unexpected departure.

However, McPartlin says the station is serious about getting new voices on air and has written back to each respondent, with some young radio enthusiasts who got in touch invited into Marconi House to meet producers.

Meanwhile, there's a shortlist of eight people for the Sunday morning show vacated by Anton Savage, the presenter eventually chosen to fill D'Arcy's old weekday slot.

The candidates include stand-in presenter Aingeala Flannery (a Today FM news editor, media lecturer and award-winning magazine writer) as well as a number of broadcasters from other stations. They must fancy the sound of "a rollercoaster of emotions".