In this episode of The OMB Law Board, Simon Bennett sits down with Tony Cochrane AM — the powerhouse behind some of Australia’s biggest entertainment events, V8 Supercars and a defining chapter of the Gold Coast Suns.
From walking away from school to building a production business, landing Frank Sinatra after failing to secure Neil Diamond, turning $56,000 into a $305 million motorsport juggernaut, and navigating the politics of elite sport, Tony shares the real story behind the headlines.
He and Simon unpack what it takes to make big deals happen: finding genuine connection, handling difficult personalities, taking calculated risks, and the critical (and sometimes tense) relationship between entrepreneurs and their lawyers. Along the way, Tony offers sharp lessons on contracts, commercial judgment, hard work and why he prefers “yes” over “no”.
Whether you’re a lawyer, business owner, student or sports fan, this episode shows what can happen when law, opportunity and relentless drive collide — and why sometimes, asking for forgiveness really does beat asking for permission.