SCA has signalled a more locally driven approach for its metro stations in the wake of declining ratings for its major capital city stations.
In 2022 stations will take a “highly localised approach” to programming and marketing, while delivering “increased autonomy and responsibility to metro content directors.”
A new Head of Metro Content will be appointed across the two networks, resulting in the positions of Heads of the Hit and Triple M networks being made redundant. Local Hit and Triple M Content Directors will be appointed, reporting to the Head of Metro Content, bring the structure in line with the recently appointed Head of Regional Content Blair Woodcock.
Given the impending changes, Hit Network head Gemma Fordham “has made the decision to leave SCA to enjoy an extended break with her family.” Triple M Network head Mike Fitzpartick may remain with the network in a yet to be determined role.
Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron has told radioinfo:
“After returning to SCA six years ago, Gemma Fordham has led the Hit Network through several major brand changes in Adelaide, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, a station realignment in Perth, continued the success of The Fox, and has built and developed several new shows and talent across the country including creating the hugely successful Carrie and Tommy show which has become SCA’s next legacy Drive show.
“She has also led the charge with developing the next wave of great content directors coming through the Hit Network, as well as creating many of Hit’s big national moments including Spicy Meatballs, and more recently giving away a million dollars with Alphabucks.
“SCA wishes Gemma all the best and thanks her for the significant contribution to Hit content over many years.”
An extensive search for a new Head of Metro Content will take place in the new year, until then the content directors will report directly to Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron.
The new structure will no doubt seek to bring the two stations in Sydney and Melbourne back up the share ratings ladder next year, along with the other SCA network metro stations SAFM, B105, FM94.5 Perth and the Triple M stations in each market.
I used to work for Austereo in Adelaide years ago, before the Southern Cross merge. It was an interesting market for Triple M in those days, attempting to compete with the 5AD easy listening powerhouse of the 80s. They really had to soften their tone quite a bit to gain the advantage over 5AD come MIX102.3. I suspect a few fibs might have been told to network heads about what they were actually doing, but I do know they won a very loyal audience that were devastated when it came to an end.