This month, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) celebrates 85 years as Australia’s trusted international voice.   

On 20 December 1939, just after the start of WWII, Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies launched ABC Radio Australia, then called Australian Calling, to counter disinformation and propaganda from enemy forces. Since then, ABC International has undergone many changes. Today, it is engaging audiences in Asia and the Pacific and supporting media across the region through the work of two teams – ABC International Services and ABC International Development.

ABC Radio Australia and international television service ABC Australia reach nearly 11 million people each month and digital platforms ABC Pacific and ABC Asia are also experiencing rapid growth. Meanwhile, media capacity building activities, funded by the Australian Government through DFAT and managed by ABC International Development, continue to expand, promoting public interest journalism in the Asia Pacific.

As part of the birthday celebrations, ABC International has launched an interactive storytelling platform, the Indo-Pacific Media Map, which portrays the ABC’s activities, audiences and impact across the region.

This week, international audiences will also enjoy special birthday content on ABC Pacific, ABC Asia and ABC Radio Australia, including ABC Radio Australia Nesia Daily presenters Jacob McQuire and Michael Chow interviewing iconic former ABC Radio Australia identities and unearthing some of the biggest moments from the past 85 years of programming and an in-depth digital feature delving into ABC International’s fascinating past.

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said: “I am incredibly proud of ABC International’s legacy as the trusted and independent Australian voice for 85 years in the Asia Pacific region. As we take this moment to reflect on our journey, we also look to the future as we continue to grow our international audiences and deepen our connections, championing regional storytelling and a robust and independent media landscape.”

EXPLORE THE INDO-PACIFIC MEDIA MAP

Take a journey through the media landscape of Asia and the Pacific using our interactive platform, the Indo-Pacific Media Map, and discover the depth and impact of the ABC’s international activities: https://indopacificmediamap.abc.net.au/

 

About ABC International Services 

For 85 years, the ABC has been broadcasting internationally. ABC Australia television has a monthly viewership across the Asia-Pacific of at least 10.5 million* and is available internationally via more than 100 rebroadcast partners. ABC Radio Australia’s FM radio service has a monthly urban listenership of at least 355,500** in the Pacific and Timor-Leste. ABC Pacific, the digital home for bespoke and curated content for Pacific audiences, has approximately 487,500*** followers on ABC Pacific Facebook. ABC Asia, the digital home for bespoke and curated content for audiences across Asia, has over 5.7 million***followers on ABC Asia Facebook.

*Viewership in Asia measured by Ipsos Affluent Asia data, estimations and extrapolations (May 24), in the Pacific viewership measured by Tebbutt data, estimations and extrapolations (Nov 23).  Total audience number is approximate and has not been de-duped. 

**Based on ABC-commissioned Tebbutt ‘Media Usage in the Pacific Survey’ (Nov 2023) noting listenership figure is estimated based on urban populations of six Pacific countries with the Timor-Leste audience figure extrapolated.  

***Figures taken from Khoros Analytics (Sept 24).

fbi.radio is looking for a Digital Producer to help shape its digital growth and presence.

Role – Digital Producer – Lead

Reports to – Managing Director (Creative)

Terms – Part time (30.4 hours / week) – (permanent contract)

Salary – Remuneration will be pro-rated accordingly, with an annual salary of $60,000

Location – Redfern

About fbi.radio

fbi.radio is an independent youth broadcaster. We target a demographic of 18-24 year olds and reach an audience of over 500,000 each month, broadcasting on 94.5 FM, DAB+ and online at fbi.radio. We believe in the transformative power of music, arts and culture to inspire young people, foster community and bring positive change to Sydney and the world.

Overview of the role:

As the Digital Producer – Lead, you will play a key role in shaping fbi.radio’s digital growth and presence, ensuring it resonates with the station’s audience and mission. You will oversee the creation of content that highlights and celebrates local and emerging music, arts, and culture across various digital platforms. You will lead a team that includes the Digital Coordinator and select content volunteers, focusing on developing engaging digital content, expanding audiences, and connecting with the diverse communities fbi.radio serves. Additionally, you will spearhead the development of fbi.radio’s overarching digital strategy, aligning it with the brand strategy established by staff and the Management Committee.

Responsibilities:

– Develop and implement a digital content strategy that aligns with fbi.radio’s goals, enhancing audience engagement and expanding reach

– Collaborate with Managing Directors, Programming, and Partnerships teams to develop innovative, multi-platform content that attracts new audiences and drives partnership revenue

– Oversee the creation, editing and publishing of content for all fbi.radio digital channels (including Instagram, Tik Tok, Youtube) including innovative ways to repurpose on-air content for online

– Develop, edit and publish website content that supports fbi.radio’s goals and objectives

– Develop social media strategies to engage with audiences, and increase interaction

– Plan digital campaigns around major events or special programming (e.g., SMAC Awards, interviews, fundraisers).

– Collaborate with the Managing Director (Creative) to track and monitor audience engagement across platforms and tailor content based on trends

– Manage and curate content for weekly e-newsletter and investigate ways to grow owned audience

– Recruit, brief and oversee volunteer and paid writers, digital content producers, photographers, editors, videographers and graphic designers

– Regularly assess the fbi.content strategy in collaboration with the Managing Director (Creative) to explore emerging technologies, identify monetisation opportunities, and ensure alignment with the fbi.radio audience

– Fulfill ad-hoc in-house design requests for social media graphics, event posters, merch, etc

Selection Criteria:

– 2+ years experience in digital editorial and design / digital marketing / social media

– Experience with image, video and audio editing software, such as Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop

– Proven experience managing and maintaining website CMS

– Adept at using and monitoring social media to create community engagement

– Exceptional communication and organisational skills

– Able to work effectively in a team environment, providing leadership to an assistant and coordinating volunteer teams

– Reliable, diligent and able to work quickly and across multiple projects

– Problem solving and creative thinking to present new digital solutions

– A strong understanding of current trends in social media, radio, digital content and publishing

– A strong understanding of fbi.radio’s voice and where the organisation sits within Sydney’s media landscape

– Demonstrated passion for Sydney music, arts and culture

Desireable:

– Experience with Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, Audition

– Experience with Figma

– Experience with Payload, WordPress, or Kirby

– Web development / coding experience (HTML, CSS, Javascript)

– Experience briefing design and creative contractors

Additional Information: 

fbi.radio is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to a thriving and equitable workplace culture. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations peoples, people with disability and people of all ethnicities, genders, orientations.

This position is a permanent part-time contract, four days a week. The successful candidate must be available to work Tuesdays, with the remaining three days negotiable.

How to Apply:

Please send your CV and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria (no more than 3 pages) to jobs@fbiradio.com by 6pm, December 11.

Application dates for the first Low Power Open Narrowcast (LPON) licence allocation round for 2025 have been announced.

Applications open: 11 am, Monday 3 March 2025
Applications close: 11 am, Monday 17 March 2025

LPON licences are used for niche radio broadcasting services, such as tourist and racing information or religious programs. Find out more at Low power open narrowcasting licences | ACMA.

ABC Radio Sydney Weekend Mornings presenter Simon Marnie has announced he will finish with the ABC at the end of the year.

Simon started his career at 2UW in the 1980s where his love of radio really took hold.

In 1993 he joined the ABC in his first on air role as a presenter on triple j. He spent 10 years with the youth network but says, “it’s like being at Woodstock: if you can remember it, you probably weren’t there”.

Simon has also worked in Television conceiving and producing the SBS music show, nomad and reported on TVTV on the ABC.

Simon returned to ABC Radio in 1996, this time to ABC Radio Sydney where he has remained since.

Simon broke the news of the September 11 attacks to local radio across the nation and continued to broadcast for 15 hours across that night

He presented various programs on 702 ABC Radio Sydney including NightLife before landing his much-loved Weekend Mornings slot in 2000.

Since then, Simon has spent his weekends connecting city and country by sharing stories and broadcasting from communities across metropolitan and regional areas.

His programs enticed audiences with discussions about food, culture and the diversity of Sydney and NSW life and he has been recognised by some of the state’s leading chefs as a great supporter of Australian food and hospitality.

Simon continued to broadcast throughout COVID, setting up a studio in his sunroom throughout the peak of the pandemic.

Simon says, “Sydney weekends are about leisure, relaxing and fun and this city is one of the best in Australia – we cover as many events as possible to show the diversity of cultures, people and regions that make up the Greater Sydney Region.”

Simon has presented 100s of hours of Emergency Broadcasting for communities throughout NSW during floods, bushfires and other natural disasters.

He demonstrated his support for bushfire impacted communities from Bermagui to Nymboida by taking the program on the road for a series of live Road to Recovery broadcasts following the 2019/20 bushfire season.

Simon said: “While saddened to leave my colleagues and my treasured audience I am looking forward to the many opportunities that this opportunity will present. My parents had 2BL on every morning, it was such a rich part of my life and I’m eagerly awaiting the next stage. I will miss everyone very much”

ABC Director Audio Ben Latimer said “Our audience have loved easing into the weekends with Simon over the years and learning about what was happening in Sydney and beyond. I am sure many of our audience have discovered something new about where they live by listening to Simon on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

“I would like to thank Simon for his contribution to the program, and his dedication to bringing the audience the very best experiences from Sydney and across the state and his commitment to connecting with audiences in metro and regional areas.”

Simon is inviting audiences to join him one last time for the Weekend Show Christmas Picnic at Jazz @ The House at Government House in Sydney tomorrow, Sunday 1 December.

Nine Entertainment (Nine) has today shared an Action Plan to accelerate, address and measure its cultural transformation, following a review into its culture by independent workplace firm, Intersection.

The Action Plan, which has been endorsed by Nine’s Board, is designed to deliver lasting change and outlines how the 22 recommendations will be sequenced, measured, and embedded across the organisation. It focuses Nine’s efforts into four priority areas: People and Culture; Leadership; Policy, Procedures and Governance; and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Since releasing the Intersection Report in full in October, more than 60 per cent of the recommendations are complete or underway. Two additional commitments have also been identified and invested in to address and uplift Nine’s culture. This includes transitioning to a new, holistic Employee Wellbeing Provider and delivering a new leadership development program including 1:1 coaching to 200 of Nine’s leaders.

Today, Nine has announced it will conduct a cultural pulse check in two years, a year ahead of the recommended time frame. This will allow Nine to gain an understanding of its impact and progress, and refine the Action Plan if required. A more indepth review will be conducted in three years, in line with the recommendations.

To ensure Nine’s cultural transformation is led from the top, its senior leaders will have their remuneration and incentives connected to cultural-specific measurements and outcomes.

Nine Entertainment Acting CEO Matt Stanton said: “Nine’s Action Plan forms an important part of Nine2028, which is the acceleration of our strategy and encompasses our business and culture transformation. Spearheaded by the Board and management team, everyone at Nine is united by the need for change. The progress made over the past six weeks is reflective of our collective desire to move quickly and build a Nine we can all be proud of.

“Since the release of the Intersection Report, Nine has taken decisive action which will positively contribute to our cultural uplift. We’ve also spent a lot of time connecting and communicating with our people, reflecting on how we can learn from this difficult yet necessary process and make lasting change.

“While our commitments to embedding our Action Plan remain unwavering, our cultural transformation ambitions are broader than the 22 recommendations alone, and indeed broader than Nine itself. Of course, our unrelenting focus remains on addressing Nine’s cultural issues, however there is no denying the prevalence of poor behaviour in the media industry is unacceptable and change is required.

“As the largest employer in the industry we believe we can play an active role in shaping the cultural change required to create a safe, respectful and thriving industry. At the appropriate time, we look forward to engaging with our industry peers to address these issues,” Mr Stanton said.

Nine management will regularly report to the Board on the progress and outcomes of its Action Plan. The Action Plan can be viewed here.

ARN, one of Australia’s leading broadcast and on-demand audio companies, has partnered with Magellan AI to introduce a biannual list highlighting the top international direct response brands investing in Australia’s podcast industry.

Harnessing cutting-edge artificial intelligence, the report analyses thousands of episodes from over 400 of Australia’s most popular podcasts. It identifies the global direct response brands contributing to the growth of the Australian podcast landscape, showcasing those making the most significant investments.

The inaugural Top 5 International Advertisers list for H1 2024 features a diverse mix of brands across technology, finance, retail, and healthcare, with BetterHelp leading the pack as the highest investor in Australian podcast advertising.

Corey Layton, ARN’s Head of Digital Audio, said: “The support of these brands is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of podcasting in Australia. Their commitment to the medium demonstrates the growing value of podcasting as a platform for meaningful brand connections. By recognising these leaders, we aim to encourage even greater global investment and drive innovation within the Australian podcast industry. We’re thrilled to showcase their contributions at such an exciting time for audio.”

Magellan AI’s advanced technology “listens” to over 400 of the most popular podcasts in Australia, analysing the audio to detect ad placements, content, and narrator. Their proprietary spend model evaluates various factors such as ad load, placement, and dynamic insertion to accurately estimate advertiser spend. This approach also allows for cross-regional comparisons, ensuring the ads and investments are specifically attributed to the Australian market.

 

The Top 5 advertisers for H1 2024 are:

1. BetterHelp
2. Wise
3. Manscaped
4. Shopify
5. Vanta