The Quarter Hour: the daily podcast for radio nerds

PLUS: What ARN CEO Michael Stephenson told us + Why legal expert Michael Byrnes says this is a two-part deal between ARN and Kyle Sandilands.

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PLUS Changes to SCA Regional Breakfast Shows

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EXCLUSIVE: Wade Kingsley sits down with 3AW's Ross Stevenson for the first of a 2 part special.

• Where he gets his humility from
• The Number one rule for his radio program
• Why he feared telling his father that he was leaving Law for Radio
• How he got his start in Community Radio
• Why it's important that you get along with your co-hosts
• How his co-hosts get chosen
• What he thinks are the biggest news stories in his 30+ years on 3AW Breakfast
• Who told him that Princess Diana died

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Who loved the show, and who thought it needed more work?

Episode Summary:

Join hosts Wade Kingsley and Liam Renton on this episode of The Quarter Hour as they dive into the brand-new radio show featuring Karl Stefanovic and Eddie McGuire, known as "The Long Weekend." broadcasting on the Gold Network in Sydney and Melbourne,

As Wade and Liam explore the dynamics of the first broadcast, they unveil insights into its chemistry, content choices, and strategic purpose.

Key aspects such as the show’s strategic placement on the Gold Network, the focus on sponsor engagement, and the show's potential growth are examined closely, with the hosts drawing insightful parallels to other successful radio shows like 'The Hot Breakfast."

Key Takeaways:

• Karl Stefanovic and Eddie McGuire's radio debut is titled "The Long Weekend," broadcasted on the Gold Network.
• The show is characterised by its engaging mix of sports coverage, celebrity interviews, and dynamic conversations, aiming to entertain listeners.
• Eddie McGuire’s role as a natural host is complemented by Karl, creating an impactful duo that has room to develop further show dynamics.
• Strategic placement on the Gold Network allows the show to also focus significantly on sponsor engagement, enhancing its reach and viability.
• The debut episode had elements reminiscent of "Eddie's Hot Breakfast," leveraging an established formula that integrates lively content with entertainment.

Notable Quotes:

• "Eddie, like, this guy is so entertaining." - Liam Renton
• "I think I worked it out after about five minutes. This is a distraction show." - Liam Renton
• "Are you bringing the funny? Because if you're bringing the credibility side, I actually think what they need really quickly in there is the funny." - Wade Kingsley
• "It's fun. They get selfies, they get photos from a sponsor's point of view. This is amazing." - Liam Renton

For more compelling discussions on broadcasting or to delve deeper into this episode, tune into the full episode of The Quarter Hour. Stay informed and entertained with more insightful content as the podcast continues to explore the ever-evolving media landscape.

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About the Guest(s):

Ronnie Stanton is a seasoned radio professional whose career spans multiple continents and decades. Beginning his radio journey in the mid-1990s in Karratha, Western Australia, Ronnie quickly progressed through various roles, including program director, music director, and breakfast radio host. Notably, he helmed successful shows and stations across Australia, from Townsville to Melbourne. A notable adventure took him to Canada, where he played a pivotal role in rebranding a station to Virgin Radio Vancouver and rose to senior executive roles at Corus. Today, Ronnie is a dual citizen, co-hosting the morning show at Z1035 Toronto and managing programming responsibilities, blending his extensive experience with fresh on-air energy.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Quarter Hour Podcast, host Liam Renton continues his conversation with Ronnie Stanton. With a career spanning continents, Ronnie shares his extensive journey from Australia's radio landscape to a prominent role in Canada, offering deep insights into the nuances of radio programming across different markets.

Ronnie talks about his career progression and strategies he employed when flipping Virgin Radio Vancouver. With his expertise in adapting radio content for different audiences, Ronnie explains the technical and cultural adjustments required for success in Canada, a theme that resonates throughout the episode. He emphasises the balance between local market understanding and leveraging global brand strengths like the Virgin Radio franchise. The conversation also covers strategic programming decisions and the evolution of media consumption.

Transitioning to his role in Canadian radio, Ronnie delves into the cultural variations between Canadian and Australian radio audiences, highlighting their differing expectations and the competitive landscape in markets like Vancouver and Toronto. He underscores the importance of social media in today's radio industry, offering insights into audience engagement strategies. The episode also reveals Ronnie's creative process in developing and launching new radio shows, his approach to managing music playlists, and his philosophy on memorable content creation.

Key Takeaways:

• Ronnie Stanton's career has seamlessly transitioned from Australia to Canada, adapting to new markets while maintaining a keen focus on audience-centered radio programming.
• Canadian and Australian radio markets differ significantly in audience expectations and competition levels, but share core principles of engaging content.
• The role of social media has become pivotal in radio broadcasting, allowing content creators to reach audiences beyond traditional airwaves.
• Music programming's success lies in mathematical precision combined with an artistic approach, ensuring optimal audience engagement.
• Ronnie sees the radio landscape's increased competition as a unique challenge that enhances content quality and audience focus.

Notable Quotes:

• "Any great radio station, any great media brand, reflects the market that it's in." - Ronnie Stanton
• "Social media is a thing now because audiences habits have completely changed." - Ronnie Stanton
• "The curse of the music director is to play the favourites... how do we extract every drop of goodness out of the songs we're already playing?" - Ronnie Stanton
• "Be focused on the audience, don't mess it up, and be memorable." - Ronnie Stanton
• "If you can do that in a unique and memorable way that's going to attract audience, then there's, you know, there's opportunity." - Ronnie Stanton

Resources:

• Z1035 Radio Station: Website

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Plus: How much did KIIS 1065 drop? And which Melbourne station has had a 'best-ever' result? Find out more as Wade Kingsley tracks you through the latest ratings just released.

You can send us a voicemail to use on the podcast! Just click here. Please say your name and give us your thoughts.

About the Guest(s):

Ronnie Stanton is a seasoned radio professional whose career spans multiple continents and decades. Beginning his radio journey in the mid-1990s in Karratha, Western Australia, Ronnie quickly progressed through various roles, including program director, music director, and breakfast radio host. Notably, he helmed successful shows and stations across Australia, from Townsville to Melbourne. A notable adventure took him to Canada, where he played a pivotal role in rebranding a station to Virgin Radio Vancouver and rose to senior executive roles at Corus. Today, Ronnie is a dual citizen, co-hosting the morning show at Z1035 Toronto and managing programming responsibilities, blending his extensive experience with fresh on-air energy.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Quarter Hour, hosted by Liam Renton, Ronnie Stanton shares his journey through the radio industry, highlighting his beginnings in Australia, pivotal career moves, and his current success as a morning show co-host in Toronto. This episode is a fascinating exploration of his passion for radio and the fulfilling paths it has led him.

Throughout the discussion, Stanton recounts his experiences launching new stations, such as Nova 100 in Melbourne, and working alongside notable figures like Chrissie Swan. He reflects on crucial ingredients for great radio—audience focus, flawless execution, and memorability. This episode also explores his courageous move to the Canadian market, providing listeners with a comparison between Australian and Canadian radio landscapes. Tune in to gain insights into his remarkable career and the lessons learned from decades in radio broadcasting.

Key Takeaways:

• Career Adventures: Ronnie Stanton underscores the thrilling journey of moving from Townsville to Toronto, extensively traveling and gaining valuable experiences in radio.
• Three Key Ingredients: Stanton believes that understanding your audience, executing flawlessly, and creating memorable content are critical for successful radio shows.
• Collaborative Success: Working with Chrissie Swan and launching Nova 100 in Melbourne were significant highlights, showcasing the joy and creativity in his career.
• International Leap: Making a career move to Canada offered Stanton new challenges and opportunities that enriched his professional journey.
• Love for Radio: Despite ascending to corporate roles, Stanton's passion for being on-air brought him back to hosting, melding strategy with his love for radio.

Notable Quotes:

• "The further up the chain you climb, the further away you get from the thing that you loved that got you into the business in the first place."
• "I love the thrill, I love the connectivity that we have with the audience."
• "Chrissie Swan is way beyond what reality TV is. She's an incredibly smart human being, an incredibly wonderful human being."
• "Great radio has three ingredients: being focused on your audience, flawlessly executing what you do, and being memorable."
• "You could taste the energy in the hallways. We had a really clearly defined mission."

Resources:

• Follow Ronnie Stanton on LinkedIn (if mentioned in the transcript).
• Z1035 Toronto: z1035.com

Part 2 is released on Friday 11th June

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About the Guest(s):

Meet the MacPack: podcast brothers from Perth. Jake, Joe and Riley share a passion for podcasting and broadcasting and the trio has successfully built their brand through the their own podcast. They merge humour and authentic conversations about their lives. The eldest, Jake (29), takes on a leading role, while Joe (27) balances a nerdier in finance, and youngest brother Riley (23) brings fresh perspectives as he navigates his life. Together, they have transitioned from podcasting to community radio on Radio Fremantle and are now featured nationally on triple j, showcasing their camaraderie.

Episode Summary:

Wade Kingsley explores the origins of their podcast, stemming from a moment of boredom and a collective desire to share their experiences. The brothers discuss their deep-rooted relationship not only as siblings but as friends who thrive on the spontaneity of their discussions, treating the podcast as a time capsule for their lives.

The conversation highlights their journey as they grew their audience over the years while maintaining authenticity and fun. With stories ranging from their roots in community radio to now broadcasting on triple j, the brothers emphasise the unique challenges of live radio versus podcasting. Hear how dynamic interactions and community feedback shape the MacPack experience, ensuring a close-knit relationship with their fans—whom they affectionately refer to as “The pack.”

Key Takeaways:

• The MacPack podcast began after Jake's redundancy, igniting a spontaneous creative spark among the brothers.
• Their podcast serves as a platform for catching up and recounting untold stories, showcasing the surprise element of brotherly conversations.
• They transitioned to community radio after years of podcasting to explore the live dynamic, bringing a different energy to their content.
• The brothers share a supportive family background, with parents actively engaging in their podcast and radio work.
• As they reach their 300th episode, the podcast acts as a time capsule of their lives, capturing growth, adventures, and sibling bonding.

Notable Quotes:

1. "It was always gonna be the three of us; it’d be awkward if it wasn’t." – Jake
2. "There's something exciting about the live dynamic and if something goes bad, you have to just keep going." – Joe
3. "It's like a time capsule, we have hours of us having fun together that I can listen to." – Riley
4. "People say they feel like they’re our mate hanging out with us. It’s like there’s always a fourth member sitting there listening." – Joe
5. "To be able to do the podcast where that’s not as important as being tight (on radio) is the exciting element that I enjoy the most." – Jake

Resources:

• The MacPack Podcast

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Episode Summary:

Join Wade Kingsley as he welcomes new co-host, "Showbiz" Liam Renton, to The Quarter Hour podcast.

The dialogue takes a deeper dive into Wade's transition from Game Changers podcast, which Wade previously co-hosted with Craig Bruce and Irene Hulme. Wade explains, "All good things come to an end, but I love to replace them with other good things as well," sharing key personal and professional motivations for his departure. The hosts also outline their vision for the podcast, aiming to release daily episodes covering news, interviews, and dynamic radio stories, enriching the audio media landscape with fresh insights and entertainment.

Key Takeaways:

• Shared Radio History: Wade and Liam recount their collaborative history in the radio industry, emphasising their shared passion and drive for creative and engaging radio content.
• Transition from Game Changers: Wade discusses leaving the Game Changers podcast, detailing the balance between professional commitments and personal aspirations.
• Daily Podcast Plans: The podcast aims to expand its offerings with daily episodes covering a variety of topics relevant to the radio and podcasting world.
• Passion for Broadcast Media: Both hosts express their enduring enthusiasm for radio and podcasting, seeking to share that zeal through thoughtful and intriguing content.
• Honouring Radio's Impact: The conversation pays homage to radio's influence by emphasising the value of air checks and listener engagement.

Notable Quotes:

• "Dean's advice to me in taking that job was, make mistakes." – Wade Kingsley
• "We love radio. It's our passion." – Liam Renton
• "Why did Wade leave Game Changers? I've been getting that question over and over again." – Liam Renton
• "All good things come to an end, but I love to replace them with other good things as well." – Wade Kingsley

Resources:

• Join The Quarter Hour Facebook group!
• Explore more episodes and content from the Quarter-Hour podcast.

Embrace the vibrant world of radio and podcasting insights with Wade Kingsley and Liam Renton in this compelling episode. Listen to the full episode to discover more, and stay updated with fresh, exciting content from the Quarter-Hour podcast series.

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About the Guest(s):

Sami Muirhead: Sami Muirhead is a celebrated media personality based in Australia with an extensive career spanning journalism, radio, and television. Formerly a TV news journalist, Sami has become a household name thanks to her successful radio career, having co-hosted the Todd and Sami radio show for two decades. Currently hosting "Sami and Friends" on Mix FM, she recently gained recognition by winning the Australian Audio Award for Best Specialist Program. Sami is known for turning personal challenges into compelling radio storytelling, particularly with initiatives like the Autism Awareness Week.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Quarter Hour Podcast, guest host Liam Renton welcomes Sami Muirhead to discuss her impactful journey in broadcasting. Sami, known for her dedication and unique storytelling, shares how she transitioned from TV journalism to becoming one of Australia's beloved radio voices. This conversation dives deep into her evolution in the industry, her partnership with Todd Widdicombe, winning awards, and the emotional peak of her career: bringing Autism Awareness into the limelight.

Expanding on her recent success at the Australian Audio Awards, Sami recounts the heartfelt experience of creating the Autism Awareness Week programming. She openly discusses her personal connection to autism through her son Nixon, offering genuine insights into the complexities and beauties of life impacted by autism. As she narrates the journey, Sami and Liam reveal the powerful response from audiences, highlighting the radio show's role in sparking widespread empathy and educational awareness. Listeners are invited to delve into this riveting chat that blends the mastery of radio with profound personal revelation.

Key Takeaways:

• Sami Muirhead transitioned from TV journalism to radio, bringing a unique perspective to her broadcasting career.
• Her innovative Autism Awareness Week radio programming not only won an award but made a significant impact by connecting with and educating the audience about autism.
• Authentic storytelling, as exemplified by Sami, demonstrates the power of radio to create genuine connections with listeners.
• Sami emphasises the importance of being vulnerable and authentic on air to engage with and captivate audiences.
• Through her work, Sami has created a lasting legacy of empathy and awareness in the radio industry.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Todd and I had a rule for 20 years, we did fun on radio. We only did fun, light jokes, upbeat. We don't do sad, we don't do scary, we don't do hard news." - Sami
2. "I've never in my wildest dreams would have imagined the response of people who are affected by autism." - Sami
3. "If someone hasn't told you today, you are a radio superstar…one of the most entertaining, engaging, real, and authentic broadcasters I've ever heard." - Liam

Listen to our next episode on Monday for some big news!

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