Radio Today to reveal Australia’s top content directors in 2020

Staff Writer

Radio Today will recognise excellence in content and programming on radio this week.

The role of content director is arguably the most vital at any network or radio station, especially for those in highly competitive metro markets.

Content directors are responsible for the ‘sound’ of a radio station. The music, key shows, announcers, imaging, social, the execution of promotions and network shows.

These men and women ensure great content is delivered across breakfast, daytime, drive and nights at radio stations and networks across Australia.

Of course, their performance is largely measured on ratings performance, and the first two survey results of 2020 have helped form this year’s list.

Last time Radio Today ran the top content directors, there were only two females on the list. It’s pleasing this year to see that there are four in the Top 20.

SCA had the most entries on the last list, with NOVA Entertainment coming in second, but with half of those entries no longer in content director roles, it’s no surprise there are seven debuts this year.

Rather than focussing in on metro and individual station content heads, this year we’ve broadened our scope, including network and group content directors as well.

Last time we looked this far and wide across the Australian radio landscape, NOVA Entertainment’s Paul Jackson was the #1 network CD, while ARN’s Derek Bargwanna was at the top of the metro FM category. SCA’s Mickey Maher was #1 in the regional category.

We’ve done away with the categories this time, instead deciding to double-down to create a definitive Top 20 list, so it will be interesting to see where these previous list-toppers will land.

There has been plenty of role changes in recent months, and with radio operating through one of its toughest challenges amid the coronavirus pandemic, we’re predicting those most likely to successfully steer their network and stations through to the other side.

The list reflects the overall influence of stations, talent management and direction, music influence, experience, market size, competitive landscape and the scale of the position.

There are seven brand new entries in this years Top 20, while it should come as no surprise that the majority of entries come from the two biggest markets: Sydney and Melbourne.

Stay tuned later this week for the list to be released in full.

Comment Form

Your email address will not be published.

Recent comments (14)
Post new comment
Ben
16 Jun 2020 - 2:40 pm

Greg Byrne for Number One, some great moves lately.

Pete
16 Jun 2020 - 6:38 pm

Vote one Dobbo.

Jen
16 Jun 2020 - 6:40 pm

There’s only about 3-4 CD’s who make all the key decisions, the rest are minions.
All centralised now. Sad but true.

Kyle
16 Jun 2020 - 6:43 pm

The role of content director is arguably the most vital at any network or radio station, What about the breakfast show ?

Michael Pearce
16 Jun 2020 - 11:21 pm

Will Andy Huxton get a nod from i98? That station has been #1 for twenty years and never gets a guernsey.

sam
17 Jun 2020 - 6:29 am

DC for number 1 position this year.

Not Jay
17 Jun 2020 - 9:19 am

Do you have to be CD all year?

Simon Cowell
17 Jun 2020 - 9:31 am

Expecting the same cast in this list. How about you dig a little deeper with some of the names. People like Erica Hodge in Perth who has shone in a real battle against 96FM. Or Ryan Rathbone who is Group CD for Grants and is back in Oz. And Barry Koehane in Adelaide who is CD for Mix plus runs the CD course at AFTRS teaching the next generation. Or Rex Morris in Brisbane who seems to get left off these lists But has been an amazing influence on so many. Don’t just draw from the same pool. Anyway, just my thoughts.

TheT
17 Jun 2020 - 10:26 am

Let me guess.. 85% will be middle aged, straight, white men

Annabelle Brett
17 Jun 2020 - 11:40 am

Ali Longhurst and Amanda Lee are BLOODY SMASHING IT! These are examples of women doing a top shelf job as CDs in their markets

Gary
17 Jun 2020 - 2:44 pm

I cant believe Paul Jackson got number 1 last year. Hopefully you’ve updated your methodology so you are more accurate this year

Femaleinradio
17 Jun 2020 - 3:29 pm

Only four females on a list of 20 in management is nothing to brag about and shows radio has a long way to go when developing females.

Antonino
17 Jun 2020 - 6:15 pm

If the Content Director looks over music and general content (including chat), surely he/she could encourage announcers to segue between talk and music. At least on occasion? But I suppose that would be too much of an ask for Australia’s ‘hilarious’ on-air talent…

Mark
18 Jun 2020 - 5:37 am

Half of those entries no longer in content director roles. Really 50% gone that’s terrible. Jay Walkerdon and Rohan Brown from Nova are gone, Jamie Angel has retired from 2MMM. Who else is no longer there ?

Jobs

See all