Cruise 1323’s Dom Rinaldo shown the door: ‘That’s the industry’

Adelaide’s broadcast industry is in shock after a popular presenter was shown the door as head office heavyweights also came to town and talked to another big name.

They say 13 is an unlucky number and it sounds like that is true for Dom Rinaldo.

The popular radio presenter – who is the brother of hairdresser Vince Rinaldo – was looking forward to clocking up 13 years at Mix 102.3’s sister station, which has 13 in its call sign, Cruise 1323.

But the powers that be at ARM – the parent company of the easy listening station and Mix – seem to have had other ideas.

Rinaldo – who would have been celebrating 13 years at Cruise in December – was quietly shown the door.

He was last heard on-air on Tuesday, July 11 and, as happens in the world of radio, he just disappeared from the airwaves without any explanation.

Dom Rinaldo in 2021. Picture Dean Martin

ARN hadn’t made any announcement until contacted by The Advertiser after which it provided an explanation for Rinaldo’s absence, confirming he was “no longer with the station”.

“Dom is a much-loved and respected presenter who has entertained Adelaide during the mornings for the past 12 years,” ARN chief content officer Duncan Campbell said in a statement, adding: “We thank him for his passion and contribution to the network over the years and wish him all the best.”

The statement provided to The Advertiser also said: “A fresh approach to the Cruise 1323 line up will be made shortly.”

Contacted by The Advertiser after ARN confirmed his departure, Rinaldo said he was “sad that I couldn’t say goodbye to my loyal listeners”.

“I loved Cruise and the music, but that’s the industry,” he said, adding: “Hopefully there is another radio station in Adelaide who could use my services and experience.”

Rinaldo’s axing is despite his morning show performing well in the ratings.

In the most recent survey results Rinaldo finished third in his timeslot with 10.3 share points.

That result was up 0.4 from the previous survey, when he was again second runner-up – albeit sharing that ranking with FIVEaa’s mornings presenter Matthew Pantelis.

In both surveys Triple M’s Mel Andersen and Mix’s Michelle Murphy were in first and second spots in the morning timeslot.

Dom in a previous radio role with SEN with Mark Aiston and Mark Bickley. Picture: Advertiser Library

Dom in a previous radio role with Fresh with Alby Kidd, Travis Dodd and Cam Wallace. Picture: Advertiser Radio

Rinaldo, who has more than 40 years experience in radio and has also been Adelaide United’s media liaison officer, also came up with a winning formula for Cruise 1323 – its All-Time Top 10s, which industry insiders say gave the station a ratings boost in recent years.

Cruise has rolled out hundreds of the Top 10s, which have covered themes such as “one-hit wonders”, “songs you didn’t know were covers” and “male artists in make-up”.

In an interview with The Advertiser in 2021, Rinaldo said the Top 10s allowed him to play music that listeners would never normally hear on Cruise such as Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven.

An industry insider said Sydney-based ARN bosses have been in Adelaide and that they also held a meeting with Mix breakfast presenter Ali Clarke.

Cruise’s breakfast newsreader Alan Baskin – who is based in Melbourne but was on-air in Adelaide – was also made redundant.

Asked for comment regarding the talks with Clarke, ARN said in a statement that it was a routine meeting: “There are no issues with the Ali Clarke Breakfast Show. We’re pleased with the show’s performance and are confident that the people of Adelaide will continue to support and embrace the team.”