Grounding warmth. Strategically brilliant: Why i98FM loves Jess Hoggard

Jess Hoggard at the Australian Audio Awards. Image supplied.

Jess Hoggard was already creating content long before she even knew it was a job.

In the years leading up to her becoming Video and Content Producer for the Illawarra’s i98FM, Jess was one of those kids who was always making something.

“I’d rope my friends into filming ridiculous videos, put together little music videos on the family computer and spend hours editing for absolutely no reason,” Jess tells Radio Today.

Jess – who’s also the on-air producer for i98FM’s Christian & Bella Breakfast Show – was shocked to win Best Newcomer Off-Air at last month’s Australian Audio Awards.

“I went into the night just feeling grateful to be nominated,” she marvels. “I genuinely didn’t expect to hear my name called.”

“Radio is one of those industries where so much of the work happens behind the scenes, so to have that work recognised by your peers and industry greats is really special.”

More than anything, it reminded Jess of all the people who’ve backed her along the way.

“From the team at i98FM who took a chance on me, to the mentors and colleagues who’ve helped me learn the ropes, I definitely didn’t get there on my own,” she smiles.

Growing up in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, most of Jess’s childhood revolved around performing arts and theatre.

“So, if you’d asked me back then what I wanted to do, radio probably wouldn’t have been anywhere near the top of the list,” says Jess.

But radio was still front and centre in Jess’s family life.

“Every car trip had the radio on and we’d all try to guess the Secret Sound or Mystery Word from the back seat!”

Jess had originally set her sights on a career in musical theatre.

“Then COVID came along, theatres shut down and, like a lot of people, I suddenly had to rethink things.”

Enrolling in a Graphic Design degree, Jess got more than she bargained for.

“While I enjoyed the design side, I found myself getting really excited about the subjects around content creation, social media and digital storytelling.”

Jess had settled into graphic design work when an opportunity at i98FM came along. It combined many of the things she already loved: content creation, video, social media and storytelling.

“The more I learned about it, the more I wanted to give it a shot,” Jess remembers.

“It felt like a bit of a risk at the time, but one that I knew I’d regret not taking. Looking back now, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

Jess loves the fact that no two days in radio are ever the same.

“One minute, I’m filming a video in the studio, the next I’m editing content, covering a community event, helping produce the Breakfast show or trying to turn a random off-the-cuff comment from Christian or Bella into something people want to watch online.”

Her favourite part of all? Helping to tell local stories.

“Whether it’s a community event, a listener win, a local business or just something uniquely Illawarra, there’s something really special about creating content that people in our region genuinely care about.”

“It’s easy to get excited about your work when you know the people you’re creating it for are your neighbours, friends and community.”

Jess is clearly adored by Breakfast co-hosts Christian McEwan and Bella Leone.

As McEwan tells Radio Today “Jess is the ultimate professional. She’s fiercely smart, strategically brilliant and has an intuitive understanding of what makes great radio.”

“On a personal note, she has brought order to our chaos, without taking away the fun. That’s why we love her.”

“Exactly,” says Leone. “Jess brings this beautiful, grounding warmth to the team, but she’s also an absolute force when it comes to execution. She keeps us on track so that deserves some recognition.”

Taking the leap into radio was a major step for Jess, who is proud of the times she’s been able to back herself, even when things felt daunting.

“I didn’t come from a traditional radio background, so there was definitely a bit of impostor syndrome at first,” she says.

“But I’ve always tried to say yes to opportunities, work hard and keep learning.”

Some of Jess’s most cherished achievements don’t come in the form of trophies or awards. They’re the moments when a piece of content genuinely connects with people.

Since joining i98FM, Jess says she’s been surrounded by people who’ve influenced her in different ways.

“If I had to single out anyone, Christian and Bella would definitely be at the top of the list.”

“Working so closely with them every day, I’ve learned a huge amount about storytelling, connecting with an audience and finding the humour in everyday moments.”

“They’re incredibly talented at what they do, and being part of the Breakfast team has honestly been like a masterclass in radio.”

“More broadly, I’ve learned something from pretty much everyone at the station. Whether it’s creativity, leadership, content ideas or simply how to navigate the fast pace of the industry, I’ve picked up bits and pieces from all the talented people around me.”

Jess says she’s never really been one of those people who has a perfectly mapped-out career plan.

What she does know is that she wants to keep growing creatively.

“The radio industry is changing so quickly, particularly when it comes to digital content, video and social media, and that’s something I find really exciting.”

“I’d love to continue building my skills, creating bigger and better content and taking on new challenges within the industry.”

Whether that’s producing, content strategy, video, on-air opportunities or something else, Jess is open to wherever the journey takes her.

“And if I can keep doing work that makes people laugh, connects with the local community and lets me be creative every day, I’d say I’m on the right track.”

Images supplied.