Scott Mayman: Fine-Tuning the News
Scott Mayman was the 4BC News Director and has been working on the Sunshine Coast with MIX FM after recently returning from the US. He shares with Radio Today some insights on the latest news trends and formatics from US markets.
During my June trip to America – I caught up with old friends in U.S. Radio – spending a week in New Orleans with my former colleague from Kansas City where I was News Director at KCMO.
Jim Fisher is now the Operations manager for a radio cluster in New Orleans, spearheaded by their News/Talk powerhouse station WRNO-FM.
It was a week of exchanging ideas and learning new fresh formatics. Not just in news, but in programming as well.
Jim took on-board some of my suggestions, while he trained me up in the latest formatics and news styles being implemented across North America.
There’s a fresh approach to radio news delivery. Gone are the days of finding someone cheap, fresh out of Uni. News is still a “COST” but it’s offset these days by the newsreader being a credible personality, not just the reader of information. News also offers Non Traditional Revenue Opportunities – making it far more valued today, than it was ten years ago (without compromising the credibility of the news).
News clocks and formatics have changed – for the better in my opinion. Australia has kept its old formatics for news operations but that’s all changing in America, which is exercising a new contemporary approach to scheduling news bulletins for the listener.
Bulletins (or newscasts as they say in America) are now provided by credible sounding journo’s who’ve got EXPERIENCE, but who can also teach those who are fresh out of Uni. Even a younger targeted demographic music station has older newsreaders these days. I guess, in a way, it’s a great “Come-Back “ feature which has paid off, not just for WRNO, but also for their sister stations that provide various music formats.
For me, it was a great opportunity for a “RE-FRESH”. Even the plans for Digital “HD Radio” (DAB+) were incredible. It was a great experience to review the latest changes and trends in U.S. radio and further cement my ties with my former colleagues in North America. This re-formatted news would be ideal in Australia – if anyone’s willing to give it a go!
Jim Fisher – iHeart Media New Orleans Content Director said: “It’s been a long time between drinks for us, but it was great to work with Scott again. He’s knows his stuff and always likes to stay ahead of the game. The information sharing between us has been greatly beneficial and I’m sure Scott will be taking home new and improved ideas that will take Australian radio to the next level”.