Starting with a blank slate and a mandate to “rebuild” Radio Australia, Justine Kelly told the RadioDays Asia conference she had a chance to “rethink” the approach of the ABC’s international radio and audio services.
Kelly, Manager Audio Output & Strategy at ABC International, said she focused on two important things: talent and built shows.
“We were looking for people with expertise, deep connections to the Pacific and on air experience.”
After cuts to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s international shortwave services in 2014, the Australian national broadcaster was forced to wind back its shortwave services. After new funding was introduced a few years ago, the opportunity for rebroadcast deals and podcasts opened up for the ABC.
In reconstructing new audio offerings to the Pacific, Kelly and her team introduced a range of new shows, including:
Australian-Tongan musician and producer Hau Latukefu who joined the ABC Radio Australia weekly line up with a new musical offering called In The Fale. He is known as Tonga’s grandfather of hip hop.
A music interview show called On The Record, hosted by Samoan-Australian music journalist Sosefina Fuamoli and produced by Rick Howe.
An interview show called Stories from the Pacific, where guests have Pacific heritage and the ability to tell a good story, presented by Bobby Macumber and Wendy Mocke.
Other examples mentioned were Jacob McGuire, presenter of Nessian Daily, plus Sam Wykes and Tinirau Arona, presenters of Nesian Footy.
“They all had some degree of radio background… We asked them, what is the show you want to make for your people?
“This strategy worked because they could lean into their radio connections and the passion which drives the programs.”
Kelly looks for “someone who is curious, smart and has a great personality” when searching for new talent, then puts “time and money into developing untested talent.” They spent several weeks in a studio and were supported with intensive tech training and regular air checking.
Explaining her training strategy, Kelly said, “they may be new to the craft of audio, so we give them space and permission to stumble.”
Two of the presenters she hired were athletes. Kelly likes the approach athletes have to receiving feedback. “Hire sports athletes, because they ask for feedback and they act on each piece of feedback.”
“Being a presenter is a hard job so some presenters are fragile… you need to learn to give effective feedback that suits each of them.”