On The Dial: Interviews with NE, SCA, ARN Group Content Directors; Fed Court confirms ACMA’s powers; Helen Nash joins SCA board
Paul Jackson: “We don’t knee jerk"
We’ve hooked up with a couple of the Group Content Directors, we chat in depth with each of them giving their insights into what went well, what went wrong, where they are focused and their thoughts on the competitive landscape.
NE had some strong results in a number of markets around the country with Survey #2. But are there any alarms bells going off in some? We talk to Paul about the next moves with the smooth brand and what he is hoping for in Survey three.
Duncan Campbell on Melbourne: “We want to see growth”
Following Survey #2 for 2015, we spoke with a couple of the Group Content Directors.
We’ll get Duncan Campbell from ARN’s perspective on the most competitive market in the country right now, Melbourne, and if he is happy with KIIS 101.1’s performance.
We’ll explore what’s next for the KIIS network and what’s going on in Perth around 96FM, and any changes on the cards there.
Craig Bruce: "last thing we need to do now is to overthink our position"
It’s safe to say that Craig Bruce, Group Content Director for Southern Cross Austereo has a number of things on the go. Survey 2 has also thrown up a few more challenges for the group. We’ll take an in-depth look at each market to get a feel of what’s working and what isn’t from Craig’s side of things. We’ll gain insight into SCA’s Mantra for 2015 including what are the next steps for the hit brands and do listeners get it?
Fed Court confirms ACMA’s powers
Another small victory for ACMA in the last few days with the Federal Court confirming its powers to investigate a couple of broadcasts by Alan Jones.
This follows on from SCA losing its case against the regulator last month. The latest finding cements ACMA’s ability to go beyond just investigating the Broadcasting Act or the Code of Practice. With Commercial Radio Australia CEO Joan Warner at that time saying: “It means that the ACMA can now act as police, judge and jury.”
With lastweek’s findings, Justice Buchanan confirmed that the ACMA has “an independent discretion to commence investigations under section 170 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992”.
Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman said: “‘The Court’s decision confirms that the ACMA has a broad power to investigate licensees’ compliance with broadcasting rules. The decision also allows for the result that technical deficiencies in the way complaints are made will not necessarily prevent the ACMA from assessing licensees’ compliance with important rules, including rules about accuracy, where it is in the public interest to do so.”
Helen Nash joins SCA board
The new Chairman of Southern Cross Austereo, Peter Bush, has appointed a new Non-Executive Director to the board.
Helen Nash is currently on the board of Blackmores, and Pacific Brands; and previously worked with McDonalds as Chief Operating Officer, IPC Media, and Procter and Gamble.
Bush commented: “We are delighted Helen has agreed to join the Board. Helen not only brings a depth of commercial experience to the table but also has a fine strategic mind to lend at a time when the industry is facing interesting challenges.”
Changes on the Sunshine Coast for Grants
Steve Hirst is returning to Hot91 and Zinc96 as their new GM, as Troy ‘Chooky’ Deighton heads up a new department for Grant Broadcasters as their Digital and New Media Manager.
For Steve Hirst, who has been with Nova in Sydney said: “With two young children, we’d become settled into the Sunshine Coast lifestyle and the opportunity to stay closer to home and come back to Hot and Zinc was too good to refuse.”
For Chooky, he will still be based on the Sunshine Coast with the new Digital and New Media Department looking after the entire network of over 50 Grant Broadcasters across the country.
“This change is an illustration of the progressive nature of the company in an evolving media landscape, with Grant Broadcasters now on the cutting edge of New Media. It’s an exciting time for radio and I’m proud to be a part of it,” said Troy.
smooth's Festival of Chocolate expands but not the waste line
NOVA Entertainment’s smooth Festival of Chocolate, not only returns to Sydney but will also appear in Melbourne.
Tony Thomas, NOVA Entertainment’s Chief Marketing & Digital Officer said, “With the incredible response we received from attendees and exhibitors at smoothfm’s first Festival of Chocolate, it was only natural we bring it back in 2015 bigger and better and expand into Melbourne. The smooth Festival of Chocolate was such a great brand experience for all involved that we are confident this year’s events will see record crowds.”
Adriano Zumbo is this year’s official ambassador and will appear at the Callebaut Test Kitchen which will be hosted by smoothfm’s Cameron Daddo. Adriano said: “It’s a wonderful product, it’s a wonderful industry and I’m very lucky to be a part of it.”
The Rocks will host the smooth Festival of Chocolate in Sydney September 12 and 13 with Melbourne’s Crown Riverwalk being transformed into a chocolate experience on October 24 and 25.
JOBS
Capital Radio Network has a vacancy for a General Manager in Perth
91.9 Sea FM are looking for a Music Director / Morning Announcer
ARN has a vacancy for a Senior Account Manager based in Melbourne.
Omny has a vacancy for an Operations Manager in Melbourne.
RCS are looking for a Radio Automation Support Person based in Sydney.
Grant Broadcasters are looking for Sales Staff in Cairns.
Crocmedia has a senior role available as NSW Commercial Manager, based in Sydney.
C91.3 FM are looking for a Sales Executive.
C91.3 FM has a vacancy for a Sales Manager.