CBAA restructures, announces new roles

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia announced changes to position it better to support members and “champion community radio's role as a key pillar in Australian broadcasting.”

The new structure comes in the wake of strategic planning undertaken last year.

It is designed, the CBAA said in a statement, “to better leverage expertise and knowledge-sharing to support the CBAA in its capability building and sector leadership roles. The change will see the organisation move from a project-based structure to a functional one and adopt a simplified management structure.”

Chris Johnson, who joined the association in 2008, has expanded duties in the new senior role of Head of Programs and Services. In this role, he continues to oversee the management of CBAA’s successful Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) and grow its services, and take a leadership role with the Community Radio Network.

Amrap was set up for community radio stations to promote Australian music. According to McNair Ingenuity, independent community radio station census, airplay of local music increased to 39% with over 2,000 hours of Australian-made music aired a day. Thousands of broadcasters subscribe to Amrap's AirIt to get music and using Amrap Pages to promote Aussie artists online.

Johnson will also lead the rollout of CBAA’s new Radio Website Services, which enables stations to easily manage their online content. RWS will include Amrap Pages product used by dozens of stations like Melbourne's Triple R and Sydney's FBi Radio to promote their airplay lists online. According to the CBAA, last year over 100,000 Australian artists were promoted by radio programs using Amrap Pages, and over 50,000 Australian music videos showcased through station websites, social media and mobile devices.

Johnson told The Music Network, “It's fascinating that alongside the rise of online and new media that community radio listenership has in fact grown by 1 million weekly listeners in the last decade.

“It's clear to me that while outdated commercial media models may be suffering, community radio is thriving through FM, new free to air digital radio services and online. It's an exciting time for Australian artists and community radio and I relish the opportunity to help out both camps as the CBAA's Head of Programs and Services.”

As part of the restructure, Tahlia Azaria has moved to a new senior role as Head of Marketing and Engagement and lead strategic programs that enhance the CBAA brand and reputation of community broadcasting. Her new duties will support revenue generation and oversee strategic relationships with key stakeholders.

Martin Walters is now CRN Operations Manager, assuming day-to-day responsibility for the operation of the Community Radio Network.

Rhonda Byrne is named Head of Business Services and Helen Henry is Senior Communications Officer.