Jonesy and Amanda executive producer moves to The Grill Team

Top-rated radio executive producer Laura Bouchet has been sensationally poached from top breakfast show Jonesy And Amanda. Her departure from Australian Radio Network comes two months after her husband decided to quit as EP of the highly-rated Kyle and Jackie O show.

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It’s the switch that has stunned Sydney radio.

Laura Bouchet, the executive producer behind top breakfast show Jonesy And Amanda, has been poached by Southern Cross Austereo in a deal which will see her go head-to-head with her old team at WSFM as the new producer of Triple M breakfast.

It’s understood the shock deal was hatched and executed in just a matter of days and that Triple M boss Mike Fitzpatrick moved so quickly Bouchet’s old bosses at Australian Radio Network (ARN) could barely muster a counter offer.

Laura Bouchet and her husband have both now left the Australian Radio Network.

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Bouchet’s departure comes just two months after her husband Bruno Bouchet quit as executive producer of the other jewel in their network crown; KIIS FM’s Kyle And Jackie O Show.

Talking about the move this week, Laura said the approach from Fitzpatrick came as “a total shock” on January 18.

“I loved my job and I loved my team and, you know, I have been there for 13 years and I met my husband working at ARN,” said Bouchet, who helped hoist Jonesy And Amanda to the No. 1 breakfast spot last August.

“I definitely wasn’t looking around. But then Mike sort of came out of the blue and made an offer, and asked me would I think about it over the weekend. Eventually I just decided I was ready for a new challenge.”

The power couple were executive producers of two of the highest rating shows in the country, Jonesy and Amanda and Kyle and Jackie O. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Part of that challenge is helping Triple M shake off its blokey reputation, a shift which began late last year with the departure of Matty Johns from The Grill Team.

Since then Lawrence Mooney has stepped in and the show, rebranded as Moonman In The Morning, has a new co-hosting team of Gus Worland, Jess Eva and Chris Page.

Bouchet will be the show’s first female executive producer as Triple M goes on a quest to attract more female listeners.

“One of the things (Fitzpatrick) said to me that really struck me when we talked about my new role was: ‘The definition of masculinity has changed,’ ” Bouchet said.

“He said Triple M wanted to be at the forefront of that evolution.

“And I think that’s a cool thing to be a part of.”

Bouchet has her work cut out however. Triple M breakfast ended the last ratings survey in a distant fourth sport.