New Commercial Radio Australia chair Grant Blackley, the board and CEO Joan Warner hosted the annual commercial radio cocktail function in Canberra last night. MC at the Parliament House function was Triple M Melbourne’s Eddie McGuire who reminded the gathered politicians of the reach of commercial radio throughout Australia.
McGuire explained to CRA’s guests, including Communications Minister Mitch Fifield, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Opposition Communications minister Michelle Rowland, and Senators Pauline Hanson, Derryn Hinch, David Leyonhjelm and others, that more than 80% of Australians listen to commercial radio and that despite increased competition, young people are listening to radio.
He noted that in an all-important election year, all sides of politics could reach voters through their local commercial radio station.
Nova Entertainment’s Cathy O’Connor, Josh Frydenberg and Macquarie Media’s Adam Lang
McGuire also recalled growing up and listening to Derryn Hinch on radio and thanked him for his service to the radio industry and now in politics.
He quoted the power of radio that “speaks to millions but retains its intimacy”. McGuire explained listening to radio in the car was still something families do together and it sparked discussions.
McGuire was in Canberra after arriving back in Australia on the weekend after a week broadcasting from Atlanta at the Super Bowl and then New York.
CRA chair Grant Blackley with Mitch Fifield and Eddie McGuire
Communications Minister Mitch Fifield also spoke at the function and said it was finally good to have a Melbourne host for the CRA function in Eddie McGuire, following on from previous hosts Ray Hadley, Alan Jones and Ben Fordham.
The Minister also said he thought McGuire would gain a lot more listeners in Melbourne if he wasn’t the chairman of the Collingwood Football Club.
Triple M Melbourne has increased its coverage from Canberra in an election year with Sky News political editor David Speers now a regular guest.
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Top photo: Joan Warner and Eddie McGuire with Pauline Hanson