Students of the 2004 Graduate Certificate in Commercial Radio Programming course were enthused at the wealth of experience offered to them during this weekend’s residential workshop.

Southern Cross CEO Tony Bell, who spoke on the first day of the three day workshop, told the students: “To become remarkable you need to create and innovate.”

The theme of innovation was a common thread in many of the presentations.

Student Matthew Smith from Nova Perth’s Sales Department told radioinfo: “The guests were excellent, enlightening and came with such experience.” Students come from Commercial Radio stations all over Australia and internationally.

Simon Dix from 3CS/MixxFM Colac said: “This course has given me a whole new perspective on programming… the speakers brought experience which would have been hard for us to get elsewhere.”

Students explored innovative formats like Nova and examined how other networks are dealing with the competition from these new players.

Student Kristie Pain told radioinfo: “You don’t just have to be an aspiring program director to get something out of this course, the knowledge gained can be used in all departments of the radio station.”

Course lecturers included 2UE GM Professor Bob Miller, DMG’s Dean Buchanan, Austereo’s Patrick Joyce, a panel of RG Capital’s management team, and representatives from every network, plus speakers from the ABA, Neilsen Media Research and Commercial Radio Australia.

The course is run by AFTRS in conjunction with Commercial Radio Australia and continues throughout the year by distance education.