After 29 years, LGBTIQA+ radio station JOY 94.9 has taken the next step in its journey to becoming Australia’s rainbow community media organisation by rebranding as JOY Media.
The change was made to better reflect the multi-channel content and service provider the organisation has become over the last few years. Within the new JOY Media name sit three established sub-brands, JOY 94.9, JOY Academy and JOY Gigs.
These content and service offerings are available across an increasing number of channels, which has grown the reach and accessibility of the organisation while also building JOY Media’s sustainability.
This change also coincides with a landmark moment in JOY’s history as they showcase JOY Breakfast and JOY Drive talent on their first billboards on the West Gate freeway.
JOY Media CEO, Ange Barry, says, “From JOY’s early beginnings as one of Melbourne’s finest community radio stations, we have grown due to the work of our wonderful volunteers and paid team members; enabled by the support of our members, donors, funders, and now our government, corporate and community clients.
“Together we have created a global community media organisation that uplifts LGBTIQA+ people every day, both in Australia and overseas, building inclusion, connectedness and wellbeing.
“Our content and service provision are created and delivered by LGBTIQA+ community members and our allies across Australia, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, upholding our values of joyous, inclusive and courageous work.”
President of JOY Media, David ‘Macca’ McCarthy, says, “Since the very first broadcast by JOY 94.9, the incredible team of JOY have created the very best of LGBTIQA+ radio and podcasts. Today we launch JOY Media that honours our past and provides a new and fresh platform and branding to take us into the future.
“Our work has expanded exponentially and today we recognise the many platforms we now engage with our community and the wider community on. We have never been stronger, more diverse, more engaged and more relevant. JOY Media will always have our community at the centre of everything we do.”
