Grant is a highly experienced and well-regarded media industry executive whose 35-year media industry career has included senior leadership roles at TEN Network Holdings Limited (TEN Network), one of Australia’s major free-to-air Television Networks, where he was CEO from 2005-2010. During his time with TEN Network, Grant held key roles in media sales, digital media and multi-channel program development and was responsible for group strategy, acquisitions and executive development programs. Grant was appointed CEO and Managing Director of Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) in May 2015 and is responsible for the group’s strategy and performance of key assets including SCA’s 99 stations across FM, AM and DAB+ radio, the national sales representation for a further 23 regional radio stations along with exclusive Australian sales representation of global open audio platform SoundCloud and Sonos Radio. SCA owns and operates TV licences across regional Australia broadcasting 94 free to air TV signals including Sky News Regional in 17 TV markets across regional Queensland, Southern NSW, and Victoria. Grant also oversees the operation of LiSTNR, Australia’s free, personalised digital audio destination for consumers featuring radio, podcasts, music and news.
Grant Blackley, CEO of Southern Cross Austereo, will share his insights from building and scaling an audio eco-system centered around the brand LiSTNR. The journey began with a change in strategy, behaviours, workforce and digital investment - to meet the changing consumer consumption that drives the digital audio revolution. The importance of linear broadcast was critical and he will outline the current content, product, data and technology development slate as well as the next most important strategic steps and actions.
A discussion of server-based measurement as part of the future of audio measurement. GFK will present the first numbers from Australia with server-based data being part of the overall gig. Triton digital will give the international overview and predictions for the future based on their international presence.