Scott Couchman: How radio has embraced the digital landscape

Winning an ACRA certainly gets you attention, but not always the kind you’d expect.

For ARN’s Scott Couchman – in the short term at least – it meant getting stopped by airport security.

Scott – who won Best Digital Content Director for 2023 – tells Radio Today his ACRA was almost confiscated as a weapon.

“In their defence, the trophy’s pretty heavy,” he laughs.

Scott – a much valued member of the team at Brisbane’s KIIS 97.3 – appreciates the industry recognition, especially given that radio in this day and age is about so much more than just what comes out of the speakers.

“It means a lot to me because I know the digital landscape is a huge part of how traditional radio is now consumed,” says Scott.

“Having this category and other digital categories celebrated by the ACRAs shows the industry as a whole recognises this and is embracing the future.”

The youngest of two children, Scott and his brother grew up in Brisbane in what Scott describes as a stereotypical nuclear family – mum, dad and two kids.

It was childhood spent largely in the great outdoors.

“There was lots of bike riding, fort building and tree climbing when I was young,” says Scott. “The internet wasn’t really around until I was in high school.”

As he grew up, Scott joined several bands.

Radio, it seemed was the next logical step.

“After leaving high school, the band I was in decided to take things a little more seriously with rehearsals a few times a week, multiple shows a weekend, seeking out management, etc,” he says.

“During that time I stumbled across an ad to join the promo team at a radio station and thought ‘maybe if I work there, they’ll play our music’ which – spoiler alert – is not how it works.”

“Thirteen years later I’m still in the industry, no longer handing out icy cold cans of Coke, and no longer in the band.”

Given the unpredictable nature of radio, for Scott – every day is an adventure.

“I feel like a ‘typical day’ doesn’t exist in most jobs within radio!” he says.

“Last week we threw a party for a guinea pig (limousine included). I’ve also filmed people kissing a car for a week.”

A whirlwind trip to Vegas is also in the pipeline.

“Most of the time I have no idea what I’ll be walking into every morning and honestly that’s one of the best parts of the job,” says Scott.

So what does he enjoy most about the gig?

“There’s not really any way of saying this without it coming across as cheesy but, in all honesty, I love making people smile,” says Scott.

“Life can be pretty heavy sometimes, so having the opportunity to bring a little brightness to someone’s day, making someone chuckle or crack a little smile, is awesome.”

Scott continues to love the unique nature of radio and is excited for what the future holds.

“Radio is the only medium that mixes entertainment, conversation, music and connection so instantaneously and seamlessly.”

“With existing social media platforms continuing to grow and new ones emerging all the time I believe radio will continue to grow and develop with its audience.”