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Some of Australia’s biggest names in audio have shared their insights into how radio gives brands the edge when it comes to investment, at The Audio Edge event held at the Edge in Melbourne’s Fed Square.

Hosted by industry body Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA), the Audio Edge featured appearances from Fifi Box, Russel Howcroft, Jacqui Felgate, Jase & Lauren, and Joel Creasey, as well as industry experts from major networks and media agencies.

CRA also unveiled the results of a trial conducted in collaboration with McDonald’s Australia and Analytic Partners, which showed radio had a double-figure impact on return on investment (ROI).

In early 2024, McDonald’s Australia acted on the recommendation of Analytic Partners and placed greater emphasis on brand-focused radio ads over traditional price and product-centric messaging for the Surprize Fries campaign.

Paul Sinkinson, managing director of Analytic Partners, said the strategy delivered a remarkable 13% increase in ROI: “The most impressive aspect was, not only did radio’s performance improve, but the change to radio made other media channels work better as well, driving a better total performance.

“TV was boosted by +14%, social media by +12%, and online video by %3, underscoring radio’s pivotal role in amplifying brand messaging,” Mr Sinkinson said.

“The trial has reinforced the value of radio as one channel in our broader media mix, helping us be more present and visible in the local communities we operate in,” shared Martin Newman, National Media Manager of McDonald’s Australia.

Jo Dick, CRA chief commercial officer said the case study proved once again, that radio is the ultimate sidekick: “Utilising radio for brand messaging can significantly amplify a campaign’s overall impact, and the synergistic effect of sonic branding across a range of channels has shown to be a powerful tool in creating measurable return on investment for McDonald’s.”

The ABC has a record number of podcasts in the latest Australian podcast ranker, featuring more titles in the top 200 than any other publisher.

ABC News Top Stories is the No.3 podcast in Australia based on results from the Triton Podcast ranker for June, while Conversations with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski climbed two spots into the No.6 spot. Conversations drew an additional +54k listeners in June, its highest result in four months. Audiences continue to turn to ABC News for trusted coverage, with ABC News Daily hosted by Samantha Hawley sitting at No.12.

The ABC has more podcasts in the ranker than ever before with 34 titles in the top 200.

June was a big month for some of the ABC’s premium titles, with the Dr Karl Podcast delivering its highest audience on record (144K) while Big Ideas (+14 ranks) and Ladies We Need to Talk (+11 ranks) achieved record high rankings.

Less than two weeks out from the 2024 Paris Olympics, the ABC also has the No.1 sports podcast in Australia with ABC Sport Daily. The podcast will play a key role in the ABC’s Olympic coverage, dissecting the biggest stories each day out of Paris on ABC Listen.

The ABC has Australian audiences covered throughout the Games, with Bruce McAvaney leading the ABC radio broadcast across various ABC capital city and regional stations from 26 July while Roy & HG will analyse the big, small and silly as only they can. Their Paris 2024 show, Roy & HG: People, Medals and Cheese airs across ABC Radio and as a podcast on ABC listen.

Late Night Live recorded its highest ever result as host Phillip Adams was farewelled after 33 years. LNL jumped up +19k listeners and +14 ranks. The results coincide with another big week on the program as Walkley award winning journalist David Marr starts his tenure as LNL host.

Not Stupid, the podcast from Julia Baird and Jeremy Fernandez which launched in May has already featured in the top 200 in June at No.109.

Head of Audio Content Ben Latimer said: “I’m delighted that the ABC was one of only three publishers to grow in the latest podcast ranking. We’ve seen again in these results that audiences continue to turn to the ABC for trusted news and expert sports coverage and analysis, while Conversations turned in another superb result, its best since early this year.”

– Hamish & Andy remains Australia’s no.1 podcast –

– It’s A Lot with Abbie Chatfield celebrates largest audience ever –

LiSTNR is Australia’s no. 1 sales representation podcast network nationally^ for the 22^nd time, reaching more monthly listeners^ than its competitors in June as per the Australian Podcast Ranker, with Hamish & Andy remaining in first place as Australia’s favourite podcast*.

One of Australia’s most prominent podcasters, Abbie Chatfield celebrated the largest monthly audience since launching It’s A Lot with Abbie Chatfield in 2019, with 315,587*monthly listeners.

Alongside Abbie Chatfield, LiSTNR’s sport focused podcasts led the charge with strong audience growth, including Triple M Footy AFL (up three places to 169,861 monthly listeners*), The Rush Hour with JB & Billy (up six places to 129,970 monthly listeners*) and Triple M Rocks Footy NRL, which was up seven places with 75,762 monthly listeners*, with Ben and Harry making their debut on the All Australian Podcast Ranker.

For the money-minded audience, Motley Fool Money jumped eight places to 54,166 monthly listeners* in June.

Popular podcasts in the top 20 included Hamish & Andy, which again claimed the number one comedy podcast, It’s A Lot with Abbie Chatfield, Crime Junkie, 7am with Schwartz Media and Happy Hour with Lucy & Nikki.

Overall, LiSTNR’s sales representation network had 63 podcasts in the Top 200 Australian Podcast Ranker* in June, and 38 titles in the All Australian Top 200.

LiSTNR’s owned and operated titles that grew their monthly listeners^^ year-on-year included Darling, Shine!, KICPOD, and CommSec Market Update.

“As LiSTNR continues to be the leading sales representation network, it’s great to see the LiSTNR sales team increasing its podcast revenue across June to finish +25% year-on-year,” Executive Head of LiSTNR Podcasts, Grant Tothill, said.

“For Hamish & Andy to continue as Australia’s favourite podcast, and for Abbie to achieve her best monthly audience, is a real credit not only to Hamish and Andy and Abbie, but also their respective teams.

“Podcasting continues to be a dynamic industry and it’s important to develop new podcast talent. So, to see Ben and Harry McKay making it into the Top 200 All Australian Ranker is just reward for the team and for them,” concluded Tothill.

Sources: *Australian Podcast Ranker Top 200 Podcasts – June 2024, ^Australian Podcast Ranker – Top Sales Representatives – June 2024, ^^ LiSTNR owned and operated published podcast titles, ** All Australian Podcast Ranker – June 2024

3MDR 97.1fm is a not for profit community radio station licenced to serve the communities of the Mountain Districts RA1 licence area, covering the shires of Cardinia, Yarra Ranges and Knox.

Since 1985, community radio 3MDR 97.1FM has been at the heart of our community. Founded by locals in response to the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires, 3MDR brings people together – through radio, online platforms and events – so that our community can continue to connect and thrive together.

We are looking for a bookkeeper to join our team. Tasks include managing financial records, processing transactions, and maintaining accurate accounts.

We are looking for someone local to the Dandenong Ranges who is familiar with community organisations to support the station’s operations by ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency. This is mostly a remote position.

Bring your attention to detail and passion for community service to contribute to our mission of broadcasting excellence.

Skills required: Proficiency with Quickbooks

Hours per week and hourly rate: $35/hr for average two hours per week.

Please send a cover letter and CV to secretary@3mdr.com by 31st July.

The Australian Podcast Ranker has been released by Commercial Radio and Audio (CRA) and Triton Digital. Below are the top five charts for June. The complete charts can be viewed here.

About the Australian Podcast Ranker
The Australian Podcast Ranker is a monthly snapshot of the top 200 podcasts listened to by Australians, the top 200 Australian podcasts, the 20 biggest publishers and the 20 most successful podcast sales representatives.
The Australian Podcast Ranker is an industry initiative commissioned by CRA and published by Triton Digital. Results comply with IAB Podcast Measurement Technical Guidelines.

Australian commercial radio is proving its resilience, with the metro ad revenue increasing in the second quarter of 2024, according to new figures released by Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) which for the first time include both Broadcast Radio and Digital Audio ad revenue.

Total metro ad revenue (broadcast plus digital) in Q2 2024 was up 2.6% to $200.7 million, compared to the same time last year. Q2 2024 Metro revenue broadcast only was $178.172 million, up 0.1% on Q2 2023, while digital audio revenue increased by 27.1%.

Jo Dick, CRA chief commercial officer, said the results were extremely positive after a challenging start to 2024.

“Market conditions are tough right now – but radio is once again showing that it is resilient, reliable, and the best bang-for-buck when advertising budgets are tight.

“We are seeing incredibly strong growth for digital audio ad revenue, up 27.1% in Q2 2024 – which really highlights that one of radio’s greatest strengths is adapting with changing listening habits and embracing new technologies.

“The data also shows us that for the first six months of 2024 total radio ad revenue, including both broadcast and digital, remains steady, up 0.2% on the first half of 2023,” said Ms Dick.

The quarterly broadcast radio ad revenue figures were compiled by media data analytics company Milton Data for CRA.

CRA has previously only released metro ad revenue figures for Broadcast Radio, not Digital Audio. CRA digital audio ad revenue figures are included in the Australian Online Advertising Expenditure Report (OAER), compiled by PwC and released by IAB Australia.

myDRIVESCHOOL, in partnership with LiSTNR and funded by the Australian Government, today announced a new podcast, Keep Your Wheels On, which aims to educate drivers on safe driving habits and techniques.

Launching today, Keep Your Wheels On is a collection of drivers reflecting on times that they have experienced unsafe driving situations, and features guidance from driver education experts who provide advice for safer driving.

Hosted by Greg Rust, from LiSTNR’s Rusty’s Garage and Lisa Skaife, Founder and CEO of myDRIVESCHOOL, each podcast episode features a special guest sharing their driving history. With guests including actor Shane Jacobson, former Supercars racer and four-time Bathurst 1000 winner Greg Murphy, and Victoria Police – Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir, Keep Your Wheels On explores important driving lessons to help listeners become safer and more aware drivers.

Lisa Skaife, Founder and CEO myDRIVESCHOOL, said: “Loved doing this podcast with Rusty, and some amazing guests with great insights and mind-blowing stories. We laughed, cried and learnt some, and I hope the listeners will too … all the best and keep your wheels on!”

Todd Stevens, Senior Executive Producer ‑ Branded Podcasts, said: “The stories revealed in this new podcast series are incredible; from Samantha who crashed her car driving tired, but then became paralysed when her ambulance driver also fell asleep and crashed, to Angela who ended up $70,000 in debt by deciding to drive her new car uninsured.

“It is true that this podcast features expert commentary that could help you to become a safer driver, but it is also about much more than that.  It is about learning from the experiences of real people who showcase just how quickly a crash can happen, and the longstanding impacts that can occur when it does.

“Rusty and Lisa had not heard these crash survivor’s stories until they sat down in the recording studio and so their reactions are real and unfiltered.  We catch the laughs, but also hear the real frustration and tears as they unpack these moments with their expert guests.”

Launching today on LiSTNR, 16 July, Keep Your Wheels On will have eight weekly episodes.

About LiSTNR:

LiSTNR is a curated and personalised, free app offering radio, podcasts, music, and news, creating a new audio destination for all Australians. Featuring a fun and intuitive onboarding process, LiSTNR delivers an audio destination that is built for individual listeners’ routines and preferences. Highly personalised, it provides listeners a new world of audio entertainment, with their own daily feed of audio and easy discovery of new content through curated recommendations. Available across a large array of devices including both iOS and Android, CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Assistant and Alexa and Android TV, LiSTNR enables a fantastic listening experience, anytime and anywhere. Open your Ears to a new world of audio – download the free app today. LiSTNR.com

The gripping new podcast series from 9News Queensland and 9Podcasts, The Ultimate Sacrifice, launches today (July 15), delving into the harrowing events of December 12, 2022, when two police officers were murdered in a shocking ambush at Wieambilla, Queensland.

On a day that left an indelible mark on the state and shook the nation, a routine callout to a remote property in Wieambilla, west of Brisbane, plunged four young police officers into the grip of unimaginable evil.

Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold died in a cold-blooded execution at the property, while their colleagues, Constables Randall Kirk and Keely Brough, bravely risked their lives to call for backup. Despite sustaining injuries, they miraculously escaped and survived the ambush. Innocent neighbour Alan Dare, who courageously sought to investigate the unfolding chaos, was also shot dead.

The Ultimate Sacrifice, led by the acclaimed duo of 9News Queensland presenter Melissa Downes and producer Jessica Lodge, who made the award-winning podcast Hannah’s Story, confronts the haunting question: how did a routine callout lead to Queensland’s deadliest police shooting and Australia’s first Christian terrorist attack?

In four compelling episodes dropping in the first two weeks, The Ultimate Sacrifice meticulously examines the events leading up to the deaths of six people, including the three killers.

The podcast will revisit the six-hour gun battle waged by the police officers, and explore the long-term investigation into conspiracy and religious extremism that reveals how the murderers – once respected teachers – turned to heinous violence. It also covers the arrest of an American man, discovered nearly a year after the ambush to be connected with the killers.

From Monday, July 29, the podcast will continue by tracking the four-week coronial inquest into the massacre with frequent episodes. Listeners will receive updates on unfolding evidence and conclusions, including testimonies, new details, previously unheard recordings, and crucial evidence revealing the heroism and camaraderie displayed on that tragic day.

Melissa Downes said: “December 12, 2022, is a day that left a lasting impression on us all, a stark reminder of how unexpected tragedy can profoundly touch our community forever. The Ultimate Sacrifice is our heartfelt exploration into the events of that unforgettable day and an earnest pursuit of answers. It is a tribute to the police lives lost and a solemn recognition of the bravery shown by all who responded.”

Jessica Lodge said: “Having witnessed the impact of our first 9News podcast, Hannah’s Story, we approached this new project with a sense of privilege and responsibility. As we uncover new evidence during the upcoming inquest, we hold the highest regard for Rachel and Matthew, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Our goal is to ensure their courage and the events of that fateful day are honoured with the utmost respect.”

Head of 9Podcasts, Mia Stern, said: “The team behind The Ultimate Sacrifice is exceptional,  bringing award-winning talent to this new podcast. It will serve as a tool for understanding, education and emotional reflection as Australia revisits that harrowing day. With Melissa and Jessica leading the way, we have the perfect duo to navigate the complexities of this story with expertise and empathy.”

The Ultimate Sacrifice is available now wherever you get your podcasts (Spotify, Apple Podcasts). It is produced in a partnership between 9News and 9Podcasts.