Schwartz Media promotes Osman Faruqi to head of audio

Australian publisher Schwartz Media has announced the creation of two roles to expand its audio portfolio and branch further into digital journalism.

Osman Faruqi, journalist and editor of Schwartz’s popular 7am daily news podcast, is set to oversee the development of the publisher’s audio titles in his new role as head of audio.

Since launching in 2019, 7am has grown to become the most popular news podcast in the country, with the show’s daily listeners more than doubling since Faruqi joined as editor in 2020. The podcast also recently won Australian Podcast of the Year in the Radio Today Podcast Awards with LiSTNR.

Faruqi also hosts the publisher’s new weekly arts show The Cultureand will introduce a number of new podcasts before the end of the year, including a five-part investigative series.

Erik Jensen, Schwartz Media’s editor-in-chief, backed Faruqi  to lead Schwartz’s expansion into audio.

“Osman has a natural feel for storytelling in audio. He has a sharp news sense, coupled with a deep interest in culture and in people,” Jensen said.

“He is the obvious person to fill this role and will lead multiple new projects that we are starting over the next few months.”

Faruqi said he was excited to take on the new role, revealing his “super-ambitious” intentions toward spearheading Schwartz’s content strategy.

7am has grown so much over the past year that it made sense for us to start talking about what other audio offerings we should be developing,” Faruqi commented.

“I’m incredibly excited to start developing and launching new shows in this role. We’re going to be super ambitious and keep up our track record of producing high-quality and engaging podcasts.”

Schwartz Media has also announced Louise Burke has joined the company as its new audience editor.

With over 15 years experience in reporting for The West Australian, London’s Daily Telegraph and Abu Dhabi’s The National, Burke will drive the digital delivery of Schwartz Media’s mastheads to investigate new content streams and increase reader engagement.

Jensen said that Burke was a “keen advocate for audiences and journalism” and highlighted her advanced understanding of digital media.

“She has worked at the forefront of digital engagement and brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role,” Jensen said.

“She has a reporter’s instinct for story and a capacity to link that with people. I’m looking forward to working with her as she brings those skills to Schwartz Media.”

Burke said that she was thrilled to join Schwartz and be a part of the company’s growth strategy across the next 12 months.

“The titles in the Schwartz Media stable are among the best sources of quality journalismin Australia,” Burke remarked.

“It is such a privilege to play a role in bringing audiences the kind of intelligent reporting the country needs right now.”

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