Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) has celebrated the ongoing evolution of LiSTNR during Showcase events in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, featuring a who’s who of network talent.

Last night over 250 guests attended SCA’s Showcase at the Harbourside Room at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.

The evening celebrated SCA’s most influential voices across the Triple M, Hit and LiSTNR networks, offering a first look at LiSTNR innovations shaping SCA and the opportunities ahead with the SCA and Seven merger.

This followed similar events in Brisbane at the Princess Theatre on Wednesday night and Melbourne at The Waterside Hotel last week.

SCA says the LiSTNR platform continues to expand its position in the market while enhancing the capabilities of the LiSTNR AdTech Hub.

As digital audio consumption continues to grow, LiSTNR is introducing new advancements across data, technology and content.

The AdTech Hub is now entering its next phase with Precision+, a world-first AI-powered innovation.

Built on first-party data, SCA says Precision+ delivers deeper audience intelligence, real-time optimisation and smarter digital audio strategies.

LiSTNR has grown from a streaming platform into a fully integrated audio ecosystem spanning live radio, podcasts, music, news, sport and entertainment.

With more than 2.5 million signed-in users and the LiSTNR total audience network (radio streaming, podcasting and music consumption both on and off platform) reaching an estimated ten million Australians each month, SCA says LiSTNR continues to redefine how audiences listen and how brands connect in the digital audio era.

SCA has committed significant investment into podcast co-creation, with the LiSTNR platform now hosting the likes of Hamish & Andy, Howie Games, The Imperfects, Happy Hour with Lucy & Nikki, and new additions like Life Uncut and The Inspired Unemployed.

John Kelly, Southern Cross Media Group’s Interim CEO said: “We’ve seen LiSTNR grow from an ambitious idea into a market-leading digital audio platform. Our early investment in premium content, technology and data is paying off, and the success reflects the strength of that strategy and team. What sets LiSTNR apart is that it is owned by Australians and built for Australians, giving us the ability to continuously evolve our technology roadmap, respond to audience behaviour, and deliver solutions tailored to our business partners – capabilities not possible for platforms without full local ownership and control. Every innovation, from new audio formats to advanced AdTech and influencer solutions, is designed to serve audiences and give brands smarter, more effective ways to connect.”

LiSTNR is also expanding its influence through the Influencer Extender powered by Fabulate, reflecting the natural evolution of audio as the original influencer medium.

The Influencer Extender integrates audio, social, and PR into holistic campaigns, combining SCA talent with Fabulate’s AI-powered data driven platform to identify and activate relevant creators at scale.

Brands can now engage entire communities, amplifying campaigns through over a million potential micro-influencers beyond traditional audio audiences.

One of the most significant areas of evolution in podcasting is the integration of video formats.

LiSTNR has been testing video with multiple podcast creators, recognising that audiences engage differently depending on the medium: Video allows for visual storytelling and incremental reach, complementing audio, which remains the ultimate companion medium.

SCA says that in recent tests, campaigns combining host-read ads with video content delivered over 4,300 incremental organic reach across multiple platforms, highlighting the power of cross-platform strategies.

LiSTNR’s approach is fully platform-agnostic, allowing audiences to choose how they want to consume their favourite podcasts, while providing brands with clear measurement and reach across both audio and video formats.

Olly Newton, Executive Head for LiSTNR Commercial said: “LiSTNR has revolutionised the way digital audio advertising campaigns are planned, optimised and delivered, and SCA continues to lead the market with both content and advertising technology capabilities. As we look ahead, LiSTNR’s expansion into multi-format audio, video, creator-led content and influencer collaborations signals our next phase of growth, extending beyond audio to connect with audiences wherever they are, in the formats that suit them best.”

Last night’s Sydney event included a range of guests from some of the key agency, independent agency and direct clients including Lizzie Young – CRA CEO, Frank Carlino – Carat Head of Investment, Sue-Ellen Osborn – Spark Chief Investment Officer, Georga Payne  – Chief Investment Office Woolworths@Dentsu, Katherine Pochroj – Head of  Investment Officer EssenceMediaCom, Clare Tsubono – Lion Head of Media, Kim Norman – Head of Investment Wavemaker, Ben Gunn – Fabulate CRO, Trent McMillan – CEO Kaimera, John Collignon – GM Marketing Rheem, and Karen Shin  – Avenue C Media Director.

Southern Cross Media Group attendees included:

• John Kelly – Southern Cross Media Group Interim CEO
• Stephen Haddad – Chief Operating Officer
• Seb Rennie – Chief Commercial Officer
• Amanda Lee – Head of Hit Network Metro
• Olly Newton – Executive Head LiSTNR Commercial
• Kim Loasby – SCA’s Head of Digital Ad Product & Operations
• Luke Minto – SCA’s National Head of Audio Sales
• Georgie De Visser – SCA’s National Head of the Studio (hosting talent panel)
• Ewan Giles – SCA’s Head of Sports Content (On-Air and On Demand)
• Chris Jones – Seven’s Director of Network Sport
• Majella Hay – Seven’s Director of Content, Unscripted
• James Falzon – Seven’s Director of Creative & Red Engine

SCA and LiSTNR announcers, hosts and presenters:

• Triple’s Beau, Cat & Woodsy Sydney Breakfast show (Beau Ryan, Cat Lynch & Aaron ‘Woodsy’ Woods
• 2Day FM’s Nath & Emma Breakfast Show (Nathan Roye & Emma Chow)
• Tommy Little – Hit Network’s Carrie & Tommy Drive Show
• Brittany Hockley – co-host Life Uncut podcast
• James Brayshaw – co-host The Rush Hour with JB & Billy and Triple M broadcaster
• Kate McCarthy – Former AFLW star, Triple M and Channel Seven Broadcaster
• Nic Kelly – Hit Network’s Hot Hits with Nic & Loren

Images supplied by SCA.