Georgina Ingham-Myers
Nova 106.9 Radio Personality/Announcer, Nova 106.9 FM
Written by Emma Rae on 2009-10-05
Georgina has been working at Brisbane Nova 106.9 since February this year as a radio announcer/ personality. Previously she was working at the Perth Nova 97.3 as a news reader and later on as a radio announcer. As Georgina has recently graduated from university, this interview gives a great insight for people interested in studying broadcasting.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in the media and communication industry?
I firstly wanted to be an actor, however, as I realised how hard it was to break into that particular industry I started to explore other, similar career options. I wanted to find something that was close to acting or something that still entertained. This led me to a career in broadcasting. So I audition to get into WAAPA (Western Australia Academy for Performing Arts) and I was lucky enough to get in. It all really went from there.
Your only 23 and you seem to have achieved so much, what have you done to get to where you are today?
I studied a three year course at USQ called Bachelor of Theatre Arts majoring in Drama. When I graduated I found it hard getting work so my full time job was in film and television as an outside broadcast coordinator and on weekends I did plays and theatre productions. Most of the acting work was voluntary, that’s when I realised there wasn’t much of a future in acting. So I applied for WAAPA and got in. Perth Nova 97.3 called up WAAPA asking for someone they thought would be a good news reader. Out of 20 students they picked me. I now realise this is my career and in time I want to either have my own show or be a program director. If it wasn’t for doing the one year Graduate Diploma in Broadcasting (majoring in Television and Radio) I wouldn’t have landed the job at Nova. For a lot of people wanting to start out in the industry they had to do work experience and slowly work their way up. I landed a paying job straight away thanks to WAAPA.
Most important/valuable skills that a graduate can bring to the industry?
Energy and enthusiasm, as you are speaking to a microphone most of the time, usually one way with no response. It is also very important you can speak the language and understand the technical side to radio. You can gain that through a degree. Previously you could do work experience and learn through working there, kind of like an apprenticeship, however now the courses available are taking over that option. University can also give you contacts to the industry. It sometime is all about who you know in this competitive industry.
What has been your most memorable achievement or experience working as a part of Brisbane’s media landscape?
For me, it’s working for Nova and doing a proper shift (a time slot with an actual audience). I am now the first point of contact for Nova to fill in shifts. I know I don’t have my own time slot or show, but am on the right track to getting one. As for Nova, it’s the highest rating radio station in Brisbane. Out of the last 26 surveys, which are rating recordings, Nova has won 25 of them. Nova is obsessed about finding new talent or the next big thing, I think this is the reason it’s so successful.
What are the biggest challenges you and Nova face as a member of the Brisbane media community?
The biggest challenge is keeping people listening to our station. Ratings determine our success and although the current rating system is a poor way to measure success, it’s all we have. It’s not only radio personalities that drive this industry but the music. Music determines the radio stations success. So juggling the two, music and radio personalities continues to be a massive challege in the radio industry.
Are there any ideas, changes or implementations which you feel could improve the function of Brisbane’s media industries?
The biggest change which could better measure all station success is the current surveys. We need to find out a better way to determine what people want from their radio station. The current surveys/ratings are bias and lead to incorrect results.
As you have worked for both Brisbane and Perth Nova, which one is more organised company?
They are both very different. Perth is years behind the rest of the world. The highest rating radio station is MIX FM, which is a station predominantly featuring 1980s music. I did always think I could move up faster through Perth Nova 93.7, however since working in Brisbane it seems to be the other way round. Brisbane Nova 106.9 is a very well oiled machine. They strongly focus on a happy workplace and high energy atmosphere. Brisbane Nova 106.9 has a fantastic track record in the commercial radio awards (in October). Our music director won overall last year, winning this category says a lot for Nova. By associating myself and working for the Brisbane Nova 106.9 I feel I could do a lot better in the long term.