Around 200 invited guests last night attended the opening of the new SCA Brisbane facility, Audio HQ.
The event was led by SCA national broadcasters Dave Hughes, Danny Lakey and Ash London as well as local talent Stav, Abby and Matt from HIT105, Marto, Robin Bailey and Nick Cody from Triple M, Those Two Girls from early national breakfast on Hit and Triple M’s Sports Insider and drive host, Ben Dobbin.
Senior national SCA executives attended the launch, led by CEO Grant Blackley as well as Chief Sales Officer Brian Gallagher, Chief Financial Officer Nick McKechnie, Head of Triple M Network Mike Fitzpatrick, Head of Hit Network Gemma Fordham, National Head of Sales (and Brisbane-based) Will Allen, National Head of News and Current Affairs (and Brisbane-based) Natasha Jobson, National Research Manager (and Brisbane based) John Musgrove.
Hosting all the launch event guests was the key driver behind the SCA relocation project and Executive General Manager of Queensland Damon Reilly.
Reilly commented last night: “The creation of SCA Brisbane’s Audio HQ was 18 months in the making. All 125 Brisbane staff were involved in the design and furniture selection and our goal was not only to create Australia’s leading Audio facility, but to deliver an environment that would allow our team to maximise both collaboration and innovative thinking.
“The foresight and support of our CEO Grant Blackley cannot be understated, to provide the investment in Queensland for a facility such is a privilege for me to lead and one which reflects Brisbane’s growing reputation and growth. Tonight is a celebration of all things Audio. Welcome to the Queensland headquarters of Australia’s biggest media company that reaches 95% of Australia’s population, SCA. Welcome to Brisbane’s leading radio stations, Triple M & Hit105. Welcome to SCA’s Audio HQ.”
SCA Regional General Managers from throughout Queensland also attended – Rod Hockey from the Gold Coast, Cassandra Cazzulino from Townsville and Ken Wood from Regional QLD. Also Triple M Brisbane Content Director Rex Morris and HIT105 Content Director Jack Ball.
Other guests include Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk and the Leader of the Opposition Deb Frecklington, senior leaders from all national advertising agencies, CEOs and leaders from 40 of Brisbane’s leading corporates, plus SCA’s top clients.
Opening event highlights included:
• Australian comedian and part of Triple M Brisbane’s The Big Breakfast with Marto and Robin, Nick Cody opened the event, with Brisbane-born act The Veronicas performing.
• Guests were treated to “Frequency-Infused Gin”, and could choose Hit105-infused, or Triple M-infused (a partnership with Ink Gin), as well as XXXX and Moët & Chandon. A long Blue Carpet snaked through The Barracks and marked the arrival experience on ground level.
• Dave Hughes broadcast his national HIT Network program live from Audio HQ and through the event, with Kate Langbroek direct from Italy.
• Channel 9 hosted weather live from the event.