ARIA’s Annabelle Herd on the critical partnership between radio and the record industry

Annabelle Herd. Image: LinkedIn

Annabelle Herd – CEO of ARIA and PPCA – has addressed the critical partnership between the record industry and the radio industry, following criticism of the ACMA’s recently-updated Commercial Radio Code of Practice.

According to ARIA, the reforms fell short on fixing long-standing flaws in Australian music quotas.

In the latest episode of The Quarter Hour podcast, hosted by Wade Kingsley, Herd was asked her thoughts on the ACMA’s response to ARIA’s submission.

“I was most disappointed by the fact that we spent quite a bit of time crafting some reasonable recommendations that would not be onerous on radio,” she replied.

Herd says ARIA worked with former Content Directors and other radio industry figures, examining data and looking closely at what was being played, and when.

ARIA had argued that local music quotas be met beyond just the off-peak hours.

“Our key recommendation to spread the quota over times when audiences were actually listening, we felt, was a pretty reasonable ask,” says Herd.

“I suppose the other slightly disappointing thing was that they relied on the US free trade agreement to knock back the day part change. I think that’s questionable, that advice.”

Herd says there are plenty of people in the radio industry who are passionate about Australian music.

“I talk to a lot of them. People in music are talking to them all the time.”

“So I think when it comes to maybe slightly more difficult issues between us … we’re in a good place to have a grown up conversation about radio’s role in telling Australian stories (and) fair value for music as part of the content mix on radio – which is a commercial business, after all. “

“I think people understand it’s coming from a place about caring about local music and local culture.”