Prodigal son Jules Lund signs with new network Disrupt Radio

The well-known television and radio star has been out of the media spotlight for nearly seven years but he’s about to make his long-awaited comeback.

Jules Lund is returning to radio with a new weekday drivetime show focusing on business, entrepreneurship and innovation. Picture: Britta Campion

After a seven-year hiatus from radio, broadcaster Jules Lund is making a comeback to the airwaves with his own drivetime show.

The Melbourne-based media presenter – turned entrepreneur – has signed with new talkback station Disrupt Radio, which is set to launch in the coming months.

Lund will be weekday drivetime (4-6pm) host for the digital network, with his show to focus on business, entrepreneurship and innovation.

“I’m ecstatic because I’ve worked in radio and then start-ups and now I get to talk about start-ups on radio, so it’s the perfect bridge between two of my key passions,” the 44-year-old said.

“I have missed radio, for me I really enjoy the live aspect.

“Now I’m able to share some of the insights I’ve been able to extract from some of the world’s best leaders and innovators with an Australian audience.”

Disrupt Radio, which isindependently owned and operated, has about 20 staff and the station will be available in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on DAB+ (digital radio plus) and online.

Lund’s show, Start-up Nation, will be broadcast weekdays from the studio’s new Southbank hub.

Former ABC Melbourne radio identity Libbi Gorr has also been announced as the host of Disrupt’s breakfast program from 7am to 9am on weekdays.

During his time out of the media spotlight Lund founded online marketing platform Tribe, which now boasts more than 70 employees across five locations in Melbourne, Sydney, London, New York and the Philippines.

On air, Lund will share his expertise in the various business fields of marketing, law, people and culture, equity raising, cybersecurity and mental health.

“The path of an entrepreneur is sometimes a lonely journey, especially for a founder, so in Australia there is a huge increase in how many people are creating their own businesses,” he said.

“It’s really difficult to get inspiration and education, so I see this as a phenomenal platform to be able to attract and help our listeners connect with some of the best minds across the globe.

“It was something I was craving in the early stages of building Tribe.”

Tribe focuses on assisting brands building their social media presence.

Those involved with Disrupt include a number of senior figures team who were previously at the ABC – the former managing director of the national broadcaster, Michelle Guthrie, and former executives Steve Kyte and Tom Wright.

Kyte is a consultant in charge of global content, while Wright is looking after Disrupt’s podcasts.

Lund is no stranger to Australian radio audiences; he has hosted numerous radio shows on commercial networks throughout his media career, appearing on the Fifi (Fifi Box) and Jules show on the Today Network and the Jules, Merrick and Sophie show (with Merrick Watts and Sophie Monk) on 2DayFM.

He also hosted The Scoopla Show on the Hit Network, alongside Emma Freedman.

Disrupt Radio’s founder and chief executive officer, Benjamin Roberts, said Lund was a great asset to the network.

“You rarely hear about people in Australian radio leaving the industry to build another, only then to return (now as a successful tech founder) and be open to sharing that journey and inspiring others to follow,” he said.

“His expertise in the realm of start-ups and marketing is unparalleled, offering valuable insights to those looking to make their mark in the business world.

“Jules will give voice to the ambitious, the self-made and the entrepreneurial.”