I met SCA and the Hit Network’s Nic Kelly for lunch at the aptly named Island Radio. In following his career a while I’ve noticed his actions when people aren’t looking. How he’ll acknowledge other’s successes, irrespective of whether they are at a rival network or not, train, mentor and build up newcomers and I’ve seen him share around the details of those who are looking for work too, with a nod to their skills and talents. Nic Kelly does not have an agenda.
‘I’m passionate about commercial radio being really good, and mattering.”
Widely known now for being a champion of new and Australian music, radio is Nic’s heart and soul. As a child his mum took him to see a newspaper printing press. As he watched the next day’s news being churned out, he knew that he wanted to be part of this incredible media energy. While a teenager he went into the local NSW Central Coast Hit station and volunteered his time. That led to a casual gig on air, and more importantly, mentors who have guided Nic through the good times, and bad.
He has the most remarkable ability for names. Twice he surprised me with the exact person I was speaking of with scant other details. He recalls the good in people, places and events, or the lesson. The biggest takeaway from our chat, for all broadcasters, wherever you are in your careers, is the importance of finding those people working where you aspire to be. Nic talked about Zane Lowe (Zane Lowe’s recent interview with Brian Eno below), the NZ born DJ, producer and presenter who is now Creative Director of the worldwide station, Apple Music 1.
I didn’t know Zane but Nic, across the many people, places and songs that he spoke of, never made me feel silly or less for my copious takeaway notes and list of new music to check out. He had seen Zane in action and reached out, loving the way he interviewed. That began an online chat that continues to this day. He knows, on a first name basis, all the major players in the Australian music industry recently hosting the 2025 American Apparel Rolling Stone Australia Awards. Just shy of his 30th birthday and with a lot of influential people in his corner, this is a radio leader in the making.
In this I compare him to Amanda Keller or Rob Duckworth. They are fun, smart, quick on their feet, honest, real, generous with their time and very funny but never at anyone other than their own expense, or in Amanda’s case her breakfast co-host Brendan Jones’s, but only with his tacit approval. I was struck this week by Amanda, on her podcast Double A Chattery, saying she still doubts herself and the value of the what she has to say.
Nic is so excited by the new sound for 2Day FM, promising the hits before they hit and more new and Australian music. The networked show he is part of is the fulfillment of a dream. He had worked with and for Ash London who also did a Hit Network nights program before a move to New Zealand a couple of years ago. When she left Nic pitched his own night show and was turned down. He acknowledged that he wasn’t ready at the time and it was watching and learning from Ash and the team then gave him tools he didn’t know that he needed.
This time, he was invited to do the Hot Hits. The offer was totally unexpected and came with the inclusion of his already close friend Loren Barry.
Nic has worked really hard to get to this point. He didn’t say this directly but it was evident in the almost photographic memory, attention to detail and the level of care he has for what he makes and how it reaches those listening. Loren, on the day we caught up, Nic said had helped out on Triple M Sydney breakfast, gone home, had a couple of hours sleep and then come in to make sure that The Hot Hits was live that night. Loren, 2Day FM workdays announcer and network host of The Pulse Seany B (Sean Brown) and 2Day FM Content Director Ryan Tothill were just some of the names mentioned as doing above and beyond to contribute to increasing the possibilities of the network and its new format. Nic too covers any other duties when required as he feels it all adds strings to his bow.
“Now I know how good this can be, I will never accept less.”
This role, the team surrounding him and building something exciting with the SCA network mean Nic is incredibly happy right now. On the first day of the Hot Hits Nic, Loren and their producer and editor instigated a process by which anyone can acknowledge if they aren’t okay, or if something said has upset them. He’s aware they’re in a honeymoon period but Nic feels he has built a reputation at work, and as a person, to allow people to speak freely.
I’ve worked with people and at places that have said similar things in the past, but if you actually were to come in and say, ‘what you said or did on air today is not acceptable’ there would be no change, or action. But I believe that Nic Kelly is that, a hard working, smart, passionate, driven, talented safe space whether you are an intern, colleague, fledgling Australian artist, established star, his senior or mentor.
I’m hoping there is management in Nic’s future. He is walking the walk as a positive force for what radio’s future can look and sound like.
Jen Seyderhelm is a writer, editor and podcaster for Radioinfo.