ARN has set up a week long presence at the South By Southwest event in Sydney, with ‘ARN House’ positioned at a key point in the Tumbalong Park event area. The company is also supporting events on the main stage and recording a range of iHeart podcasts at the event.
The ARN team is educating SXSW visitors about the power of audio in a series of talks given by members of the company’s leadership team, including:
- Tomorrow 16 October – Digital Audio Myths & Truths with National Podcast & Digital Sales Director Denis Donati
- Thursday 17 October – Convergence of Tech & Audio with Creative Director Kade Robinson
- and Friday 18 October – Neuro AI – A New Frontier for Optimising your Audio Advertising with Director of Research and Insights Justin Stone
Today, ARN’s Head of News & Information Fiona Ellis-Jones and KIIS newsreader Brooklyn Ross spoke today about the significance of audio news. With journalists in over 30 locations, ARN serves as “a trusted news source” for local news, and emergency information, especially in regional Australia, particularly with the demise of local papers and local television bulletins.
She emphasised the importance of credibility in a changing media news landscape, where neutrality and quality journalism from trusted sources is more essential than ever. She spoke about how ARN newsrooms are pivoting to on demand audio news delivery and adapting to the modern digital audio environment to offer immediacy, localism, and personality that digital platforms struggle to replicate.
“Live and local is at the forefront of everything we do in News. We know audiences want relevant stories, delivered in a way that is relatable and accessible.”
“For 9.6 million Aussies living in the regions, radio is more than just a voice. Our journalists are trusted companions that bring communities and perspectives together… In times of crisis, local journalists become literal lifelines, delivering vital information to keep communities informed and safe.”
“Radio has continually proven its resilience. While our distribution methods have evolved, we still provide the immediacy and connection that audiences depend on, especially in regional Australia. The craft of radio journalism remains the same, no matter the distribution platform,” said Ellis-Jones.
The partnership with SXSW was put in place by ARN’s Chief Strategy & Connections Officer Lauren Joyce after the success of the the inaugural event in 2023.
“The event presents a unique opportunity to engage with both a consumer and trade audience. For us the value is showcasing to our clients in a real-world setting, the depth of the relationship that our listeners have with our content creators,” she said.
As well as talks and music, ARN is recording a number of podcasts with SXSW visitors who are sharing their expertise through the iHeart Podcast App.
One of those interviewed was radioinfo’s Steve Ahern, who spoke with Ellis-Jones about the future of audio and the importance of government legislation to support the prominence of Australian audio content on new devices.
A link to that podcast series is available here, or play Steve’s episode audio below.