What's New June 26, 2023

Meet the Judges – Part One

Entries for The Radio Today Podcast Awards are now closed and aren now into the judging phase.

Meet some of the judges here, with more to be profiled in Part two – coming soon..

Valerie Geller

President of Geller Media International, Valerie works with more than 500 TV/Radio stations throughout the world, training broadcasters and podcasters to create powerful content and “NEVER BE BORING.”

After a radio career as a program director in New York, news director in San Francisco, and executive producer in LA, she turned to training and consulting and hasn’t looked back.

“It’s all the story business,” says Valerie.

In Australia, she has lectured at AFTRS, presented at CRA’s Radio Alive events and trained presenters and producers at SBS and the ABC.

Valerie is a board member of the New York Festivals International Radio Awards and is the author of five how-to books on growing and engaging broadcast and podcast audiences, her latest, Beyond Powerful Radio.

Named by Radio Ink as one of the Most Influential Women in Broadcasting, Valerie works one-on-one with individuals and holds seminars and workshops.

Jaime Chaux

Jaime is Head Of Digital – Commercial Radio & Audio

As such, he is a leader in the digital media, audio and content space. Focused on adding new digital value and connecting strategy & partnerships to where the new opportunities are.

His background in content creation and leadership combined with his more recent work at an all-of-industry level enables Jaime to be an active contributor to the new wave of growth for the audio industry in Australia. This growth covers content output, distribution, and monetisation.

Jaime is a firm believer in the role of radio and audio to tell stories of importance for Australian audiences and the value this can bring to publishers, content makers and advertisers.

Central to this is Jaime’s ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders of all levels to deliver new outcomes, as well as being a confident public speaker.

Abe Udy

Abe is the founder of the audio production company Abe’s Audio.

Originally specialising in production for radio, TV and online content, the business has expanded to provide podcast advice and production expertise.

From startup podcasts to well-established shows, Abe and his team have worked with podcasters large and small, helping them create shows their audiences love.

Del Fordham

Del is the Head of Audio at News Corp Australia.

With over 20 years experience in audio content creation Del was the first hire into NewsCast’s on-demand audio team in late 2019.

Today, Del oversees the audio content creation for brands such as The Australian, news.com.au, True Crime Australia, The Herald Sun, Vogue Australia, kidspot.com.au and BODY + Soul.

The podcasts in Del’s network include The Front, The Teacher’s Trial, I Catch Killers, Browny’s Podcast, The Matty Johns Podcast, Something To Talk About with Samantha Armytage and Bikies Inc.

Del also oversees the integration of NCA’s content into smart speakers and the on-platform UX, windowing and locking strategies employed around NCA’s consumer first audio.

Sharon Taylor

Sharon Taylor, SVP Podcast Strategy & Product Operations, Triton Digital.

With more than 13 years of experience in the technology space, Sharon Taylor joined Triton Digital in 2019 through Triton’s acquisition of podcast technology company, Omny Studio.

Having worked closely with Triton since 2016 in her role as CEO, Sharon grew Omny Studio into one of the leading audio on-demand hosting and publishing platforms in the world.

Today, as SVP Podcast Strategy & Product Operations at Triton Digital, Sharon is at the helm of Omny, responsible for guiding the podcast development strategy for the company. In addition to leading the continuous advancement of the Omny Studio platform, maximizing its utility for both radio and podcast clients.

Sharon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and resides in Montreal.

Dave Carter

Dave is a creative producer, writer, interviewer and storyteller who’s spent more than 30 years’ leading the creation and production of award-winning podcast, radio, and television content.

With a wealth of experience both in front of and behind the mic, Dave’s been involved in the planning and creation of high-end audio and visual content for the likes of LiSTNR, MCM Entertainment, Granada, Crocmedia and more. As General Manger and Executive Producer at Media Heads, Dave is heavily involved with all of the company’s creative output, including the podcast titles ‘OPERATION ALLIANCE: 2002 Bali Bombings’, ‘ALWAYS LIVE’, and the multi-award-winning ‘Closing The Net’.

Grant Tothill

Grant Tothill is the Executive Head of Podcasting for LiSTNR.

Over the past six years, Grant has led the development and growth of Original Podcasting with PodcastOne Australia and in February 2021, the change to LiSTNR podcasts, driving the LiSTNR podcast network and playing an active role in the growth of LiSTNR.

As LiSTNR podcasts scales its original slate, Grant now oversees five major podcast verticals – Entertainment and Culture, Sport, News and Information, Factual and Drama and Parenting and Kids Entertainment.

LiSTNR Podcasts now has the biggest Podcast producing teams in the Southern Hemisphere.

Prior to LiSTNR Podcasts, Grant was the General Manager of Digital Audio SCA, the Head of PodcastOne Australia and the Head of the Triple M network, being an early member of the content team that developed the Rock Sport and Comedy format.

Natalie Pozdeev

As Program Convenor at AFTRS, Natalie Pozdeev is a media education specialist, with expertise in practice-based radio, journalism and digital content training. As Program Convenor of the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting, she leads the School in delivering high quality, student centred and future focused education for the radio and podcasting industries.

Natalie joined AFTRS from her role of Head Teacher of Media, Radio and Journalism at TAFE NSW, a role she held for over a decade. This refined her educational leadership skills in delivering a range of highly practical media education programs, embedding innovative teaching, digital literacy, multi-platform and mobile media practice. Her industry practice has included a number of leadership and management roles, including Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA), the national peak body for community media. Natalie was also previously the Head of Radio at the AFTRS, and has had a long affiliation with community radio station 2RRR, most recently as Chair of the Board.

Natalie has a track record of holding multiple leadership roles simultaneously, and is currently also a Board member of the Community Media Training Organisation and a Non-Executive Director of the Financial Rights Legal Centre.