10 Questions with Irene Hulme

Irene Hulme holds a unique position within the Hit Network. As head of music and entertainment partnerships, she oversees the music vision of the largest radio network in Australia.

She was behind the creation of the Hits and Old Skool and the network’s RnB Fridays – a concept that’s taken on a life of its own.

Irene also recently featured on The Music Network’s list of the 15 most influential radio music minds in Australia.

Compiled by Radio Today‘s sister site TMN, the list was compiled in consultation with music industry figures and took into consideration reputation, credibility, market size, experience and format competitiveness.

In the second of a five-part series, TMN caught up with Irene for 10 Questions.


What music traits do you consider when looking for the next big radio act?

The musical traits you look for change depending on the music cycle at the time, but as a general rule, the vocal, melody, songwriting and whether it has broad hit potential.


Is it ‘gut instinct’ or other factors that guide you?

Gut continues to be the most important driver, more often than not, your gut feel is right, supported with a number of various reference points, charts, internal research, the sum of all of those parts determines airplay.


What are the core facts of a successful station music strategy?

First and foremost, a music strategy aligned to the overall station and brand strategy is fundamental.  

Secondly, Music, like shows can serve as a key or initial entry point into the station, so having a unique proposition is important.

Finally, a strategy and format aligned to the talent.


What is it in the Hit Network’s music that sets it apart from your rivals?

This difference is all-encompassing, not only in terms of the music we play, but how it’s put together, plus the attitude on the station that supports the strategy.

It is a joint achievement from a fantastic team of Music Directors, the best curators in the country executing local strategies that enable us to be different and build our own hill in each market.


Has there been an artist or artists that have taken you by surprise?

Nothing comes to mind.


Have there been times when taking risks haven’t quite gone as planned?

I created a national format a few years back that didn’t work, centred around a music cycle that strategically made sense but over time realised was too narrow and close to the end of its cycle.

However, it was this very format that lead to a listener focus group in Adelaide where the overwhelming majority felt we needed to play “RNB”, a genre ignored by Australian CHR Radio for so long as it was never seen as mainstream, that lead to a game-changing risk with the birth of RNB Fridays.  

The impact of RNB Fridays and the resurgence of old-school lead to the creation of the hybrid format, Hits & Old School and the rest is history.


Which artists are you most excited about this year?

As I’m writing this I’m most excited about the new Drake album, from a domestic point of view, Dean Lewis and Amy Shark.


What (if any) musical trend are you seeing developing?

The big one is the impact of streaming and with it music tastes, music fans have become far more eclectic as they can access music across all genres, of all time, music preferences are no longer falling into specific genres and that’s why we’re seeing variety formats do so well.


What excites you about the local music scene?

Australian music has never been stronger; there are so many exciting new Aussie artists across a number of various genres that are having an impact globally, Amy Shark, Dean Lewis, 5SOS, Troye Sivan, it’s exciting to see we can hold our own on a global stage.


How much scope has a format change in Sydney given you for more change?

Our Sydney format has certainly given us the courage to continue to evolve our music offering, review what we’re doing up against what the demand/cycle is at any given time – we play hits, we always will, but there’s plenty of scope within that.

Comment Form

Your email address will not be published.

Recent comments (6)
Post new comment
David Smith
9 Jul 2018 - 11:44 am

So good to see this talented lady really flying and getting long overdue recognition.
An outstanding music director, C.D and now ruler of the free music world!

Steve Murray
9 Jul 2018 - 2:02 pm

Gut feel was exactly that. You didn’t always rely on any other data but only the tunes magic

Dancing Queen
9 Jul 2018 - 9:07 pm

Finally some recognition for someone propping up the network. A great PD, MD and has the balls to back in great ideas like RNB Fridays.

Sentinel
10 Jul 2018 - 12:52 am

“Australian music has never been stronger” surely she doesn’t believe that… she was around in the 80s/90s/00s, pick any of them.

Leon
10 Jul 2018 - 2:02 pm

RE: Sentinel
I’d beg to differ… I would suggest checking out Amy Shark, Flume, Vance Joy, 5SOS, Troy Sivan, Iggy Azalea, Gang Of Youths, DMAs, Conrad Sewell, Sia, Sheppard and that’s just off the top of my head.

Bianca
15 Jul 2018 - 9:59 pm

So much respect for this awesome talented human ❤️

Jobs

See all