Radio

Working in radio was not something I had ever planned.  To use the cliche … “I just fell into it” … would actually be the truth in this instance.

My background was in administration management and Human Resources and media/journalism was not on my radar.  I had a successful on air segment called “Ask Annie” which I’d been doing for a number of years … again, something I “fell into” and I got to see a lot of what happened behind the scenes.  I was impressed by the work carried out by producers and wished this was a role I had thought about earlier in my career.   You can listen to “Ask Annie” here.

In fact, I had become tired and bored in my current role of Compliance Manager for a number of Insurance Brokers and I eventually asked if there were any opportunities for me at the radio station – I was thinking in an admin capacity.  I was surprised when I was asked try out for a producer role.   I sat in on a couple of shifts and I ended up with a paid role within two weeks.

Since “falling into it” eight years ago I have worked at 4BC (commercial talk back radio) and the ABC in Brisbane as a producer across shows ranging from the top rating Brisbane Breakfast radio program on ABC to Weekends on both the ABC and 4BC.  I have also worked as a field reporter, heading out to prearranged interviews and collecting vox pops from people on the street regarding different issues.

I am currently working at the ABC on Evenings as the producer.

The most common question I’m asked is … “what does a radio producer do?”.

 

So … what does a radio producer do?

A radio producer creates content in accordance with Editorial Policies and to the program brief.   This includes:

  • Identifying stories suitable for the program – as per the program brief
  • Looking at different angles for each story – particularly if it is story that has been on all news bulletins.
  • Understanding the story and identifying the talent required
  • Pre-interviews with all talent
  • Writing up scripts for presenter, including questions based on pre-interview
  • Preparation of audio – either editing prerecorded interviews, putting together promos or sourcing sound bites to be used during the program
  • Staying across breaking news
  • Maintaining a visible social media presence both for the radio station/program and personally
  • Managing the program when on air – timing, guests, following news etc
  • Blogging all stories and uploading audio via various online audio players
  • Creating engaging Facebook content throughout the program
  • Tweeting accurate, relevant information

I’ve also been a guest on Richard Fidler’s Conversations.  You can listen to that interview here

I was invited to be a guest on a BBC panel regarding forced adoptions.  You can listen to that panel discussion below.

 

Below are links to some other online work:

Mother Africa comes to Brisbane

Queensland Museum Opens the Vault