In the week the results of survey 1 are released, the third profile is Jenna Benson, the Senior Digital Content Producer for Jonesy & Amanda. She has guided their digital content and social strategy as Jonesy & Amanda have changed from breakfast to drive and moved into the national market.
The series, Wisdom of Women in Media explores the career and personal journeys of women in the audio media industry. The aim of the series is to reflect on the wisdom they have gained, to mentor and to share their hopes for the industry.
1. Describe your current professional life and your stage of life.
I am the Senior Digital Content Producer for Jonesy & Amanda, where I lead digital/video content and social strategy for the highly successful show.
2. How did you come to be in this industry?
I’ve always had a strong interest in media and was drawn to it from early on. After graduating from university, I began my career in social media at a start-up company named Amplify. I was helping to bring international YouTubers to Australia and gaining hands-on experience across video content, social media, and campaigns.
My move into radio happened more organically. A close friend, Mitchell Coombs, introduced me to the industry and to ARN, where I was offered a role as Network Content Producer. From there, opportunities continued to open up, including a move to Melbourne where I could really develop my creative and social strategy skills.
Seven years ago, I joined Jonesy & Amanda, a show I’d long admired, and it’s been a natural progression ever since. My path has been a mix of long-held passion, recognising opportunities, and saying yes when the timing felt right.
3. What are your core beliefs? How are your values evident in the work you do or the life you lead?
I believe you shouldn’t stay in a job that makes you unhappy. When you genuinely enjoy what you do, the results speak for themselves, and when you don’t, people can feel it.
My values show up in my curiosity, my willingness to keep learning, and my openness to trying new things. I believe growth comes from enjoying the process, not just chasing outcomes.
That’s why the biggest piece of advice I give junior digital content producers is simple: have fun. When you’re enjoying the work, creativity flows, confidence builds, and success naturally follows.
Best Digital Content Creator – National: Jenna Benson; WSFM, Sydney, NSW, ARN at ACRA’s 2024, The Star Sydney
4. How did your education, formal and informal, enrich your career/ life journey?
I graduated with a Bachelor of Media from UNSW, and I’m incredibly grateful for my time there. While the course gave me a strong foundation, its greatest impact was building my confidence and independence.
However, many of my practical skills, particularly in video, were developed informally. I’m largely self-taught, learning through YouTube and hands-on experimentation. What began as making fan edits for fun eventually became a skill set I rely on daily.
Ultimately, most of my learning has come from doing the job itself. Experience has been my greatest teacher. Early in my radio career, Rosie Squires was an exceptional mentor. Her ability to lead a team while shaping smart, effective social strategy set a benchmark I still aspire to. I’ve also learned enormously from Kieran Simpson, whose deep understanding of digital and social strategy pushed me to think bigger and sharper.
5. What are some of your key decision change points and how did they shape your career/ life journey?
One of the biggest decision points in my career was moving to Melbourne for a year to work as the Digital Content Producer for Jase & PJ and KIIS1011. It was my first time moving out of my family home, and while it was daunting, it was also an opportunity I knew I couldn’t pass up.
At the time, I was determined to step fully into a digital content producer role, and this move allowed me to deepen my skills, push my creativity, and gain confidence both personally and professionally. Saying yes to that challenge shaped the trajectory of my career.
6. What have you learnt by changing from producing Sydney breakfast to a national drive show?
Moving with Jonesy & Amanda from a Sydney breakfast show to a national drive show has been one of the most eye-opening shifts of my career. I went in with the assumption that radio needed to be highly local to truly resonate. While that’s still true to an extent, this experience showed me that a national show can connect just as deeply when the storytelling is universal.
The content itself hasn’t changed dramatically, aside from reducing Sydney-centric stories, but what I’ve learnt is the power of relatability at scale. Jonesy & Amanda have a unique ability to tell stories that tap into shared experiences, emotions, and humour that resonate with audiences across the country. Producing content for a national audience has sharpened my instincts, broadened my thinking, and reinforced that great content isn’t defined by geography, but by how human it feels.
7. What makes you happy? What makes you get up in the morning?
Other than my cat Connie wanting me to get up, what really motivates me is the people I work with. Jonesy & Amanda and the wider team are incredibly supportive, generous, and genuinely care about one another. There’s a strong sense of trust. We all bring different strengths to the table, and you know you can rely on each other, which is essential for any successful team.
While the work is demanding, it’s also deeply rewarding. I love the creative challenge, the excitement of building new ideas, and not knowing exactly what the day will bring. That sense of unpredictability keeps the work fun and energising, and it’s what makes me excited to get up and do it all again the next day.
Digital Team Of The Year – National: Jenna Benson, Brendan Jones, Amanda Keller; WSFM Sydney, NSW, ARN at ACRA’s 2024, The Star Sydney
8. Share your words of wisdom for others in the industry or those wishing to work in the industry?
Enjoy what you do.
It sounds simple, but it matters. Even on the harder days, if you genuinely care about the work, you’ll keep growing and the challenges won’t feel wasted. Passion truly shows.
Just as important is never stopping learning.
You don’t need formal courses or large blocks of time – curiosity is enough! I still carve out moments to learn through YouTube tutorials and experimentation. I’m always finding ways to apply those skills to my everyday work. Staying curious keeps you relevant, confident, and excited about what you do.
9. Describe your vision for the audio media industry in the near future.
My vision for the industry is one where digital is fully valued as core to the product, not an add-on. For a long time, digital producers have been pushed to the side, despite often being the first in and the last out. While progress has been made, there’s still a gap in understanding just how complex, creative, and strategic digital work really is.
Creating great digital content isn’t just “making a video,” it’s storytelling, platform knowledge, audience insight, and constant adaptation. As the industry continues to better understand and respect this, I believe the quality of content will improve, teams will feel more supported, and staff turnover will be reduced.
A more collaborative, empathetic approach between audio and digital will ultimately strengthen the entire industry.
10. What role would you like to play in shaping the audio industry of the future?
I want to play a role in shaping the future of the audio industry by championing and supporting digital producers across the country. I want them to feel seen, valued, and confident that their work truly matters.
I’m constantly inspired by the digital content coming out of radio shows and stations nationwide, both metro and regional, and I believe digital producers are a vital part of the industry’s success and evolution. If I can help elevate their work, advocate for better understanding of their role, and contribute to a more collaborative and respectful industry, then I know I’m helping move the industry forward in a meaningful way.
Series compiled by Serena Ahern for radioinfo.
If you have a suggestion for someone to be considered for this series, please send a note to [email protected]
Previous articles in the Wisdom of Women in Media series:
Wisdom of Women in Media: Amanda Shalala, Deputy Editor, ABC Sport
Wisdom of Women in Media: Siobhain McDonnell, Content Director, 4BC
Wisdom of Women in Media: Citra Dyah Prastuti, editor in chief, KBR
Wisdom of Women in Media: Sharon Taylor, Chief Revenue Officer, Triton Digital
Wisdom of Women in Media: Erica McGee, Group Content Director, Triple M & Hit
Wisdom of Women in Media: Rachel Patterson, General Manager, Geelong Broadcasters
Wisdom of Women in Media: Andrea Ho, Discipline Lead Radio & Podcasting, AFTRS
Wisdom of Women in Media: Emma Lawson, Platform Specialist, ABC
Wisdom of Women in Media: Millie Starling, Content Director & EP, SAFM
Wisdom of Women in Media: Archana Kapoor founder Radio Mewat
Wisdom of Women in Media: Justine Kelly, Manager Audio Output & Strategy, ABC International
Wisdom of Women in Media: Lauren Joyce, Chief Audience & Content Officer ARN
Wisdom of Women in Media: Lauren Joyce, Chief Audience & Content Officer ARN
Wisdom of Women in Media: Rebecca Ackland Chief People & Culture Officer SCA
Wisdom of Women in Media: Lauren Joyce, Chief Audience & Content Officer ARN
Wisdom of Women in Media: Megan Smith, Senior Producer Gold 101.7
Wisdom of Women in Media: Amanda Lee, Head of HIT Metro Content/Fox FM Content Director
Wisdom of Women in Media: Kim Napier, Breakfast Presenter ABC Northern Tasmania
Wisdom of Women in Media: Megan Smith, Senior Producer Gold 101.7
Wisdom of Women in Media: Laura Bouchet, Content Director Triple M
Wisdom of Women in Media: Lauren Joyce, Chief Audience & Content Officer ARN