ABC operations

ABC Australia Plus announces international partnerships

ABC International’s multi-platform international media service Australia Plus (A+) has announced partnerships with Monash University, the Victorian State Government and Swisse Wellness, to increase Australia’s presence in the region and ABC content presented in neighbouring countries.

Monash University, one of Australia’s leading international research and education institutions, the Victorian State government, one of the prime tourist destinations in Australia and Swisse Wellness, Australia’s leading natural health brand, are the first organisations to join Australia Plus as Foundation Partners. AustraliaPlus will build its strong presence in the region and develop its growing audience base through meaningful partnerships with Australian businesses aligned to the same purpose.

The Foundation Partnerships will see ABC International highlight the work of Monash, the Victorian state government and Swisse in their respective fields across its Australia Plus platforms and through Australia Plus’ media partner networks across Asia. Other partners will be announced in coming months.

ABC International Chief Executive Officer, Lynley Marshall, said this commercial collaboration would deliver great benefit to foundation partners, as well as strengthen Australia’s relationship with audiences in neighbouring countries by “showcasing Australia to the Asia-Pacific region.”

"ABC International has built a network of media partners across the region, extending the reach of Australia Plus content and establishing a valuable platform for presenting Australian stories.” she said.

“Partnering with a respected institution like Monash University, organisations like the Victorian State Government and Businesses such as Swisse, offer us enormous potential to showcase Australian life including education, tourism and business, to audiences in the region.”

Monash President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Margaret Gardner AO said the partnership agreement with ABC International “gives Monash unprecedented exposure and reach in key Asia Pacific countries and assists us communicate the scale, scope and excellence of our research and education and our global impact.”

Victorian Government Trade Minister, Philip Dalidakis said: “this exclusive relationship with ABC International is a great opportunity for Victoria to showcase that we really do have ‘the best of everything’ - and grow our reputation as the innovation, trade, tourism, major events, food and fashion capital of Australia.”

Swisse chief executive Radek Sali said: “Our mission at Swisse is to make people around the world healthier and happier, and through this exciting partnership we will be able to take our message to a number of new regions and audiences.”

“It also gives us the opportunity to learn more about our different consumers needs, so as we launch into new countries we tailor our approach to suit."

Australia Plus Foundation Partners receive exclusive branding and advertising opportunities across all Australia Plus online platforms, digital and social media channels and Australia Plus TV; exposure through Windows on Australia media events with the ABC’s International media partners including Shanghai Media Group, Beijing TV, Singapore’s Mediacorp and Indonesia’s MNC and Detik.

Australia Plus, ABC International’s multi-platform international media service, was launched in 2014 and is currently available to 190 million people across Asia and the Pacific via online, social media and TV, including to Indonesia, China, Singapore, India, Malaysia and Vietnam in languages including Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesia and Tok Pisin.

ABC International is a commercial operation and is permitted under the ABC Act to partner with commercial organisations, a model similar to the BBC Worldservice. ABC International retains full editorial control over all content under the ABC Australia Plus brand. Any partnership branding on Australia Plus platforms will be consistent with ABC International standards and guidelines.

##abc TV appoints Kelrick Martin as Head of Indigenous
ABC TV announces the appointment of award-winning Indigenous film-maker and development executive Kelrick Martin to the role of Head of Indigenous starting 26 September 2016.

Kelrick brings to the ABC a wealth of unique experience in developing Indigenous talent and projects for Australian audiences.

He is a descendant of the Ngarluma, Bunuba and Gooniyandi people of northern Western Australia, whose career in Indigenous broadcasting spans 20 years. His passion is for scripted and factual storytelling that celebrates Indigenous characters, communities and culture in ways that surprise, entertain and engage Australian and global audiences.

Kelrick joins the ABC from Screenwest, where he was Indigenous Manager, responsible for the development and support of WA’s Indigenous filmmaking community. Prior to this he was Commissioning Editor for NITV.

He formed Spear Point Productions in 2010 whose credits include documentaries Yagan, Outside Chance, Prison Songs, and short drama, Karroyul – a 2015 AACTA Award nominee.

Kelrick began his career as a cadet radio broadcaster for Goolarri Media. Moving to Sydney in 1998, he presented ABC Radio National’s Awaye! and was the inaugural presenter of ABC TV’s Message Stick. In 2002 he completed his Masters in Documentary Writing and Directing at AFTRS.

Sally Riley, ABC TV Head of Scripted Production said: “We are delighted to welcome Kelrick to the team. He is an immense talent who brings with him an extensive working knowledge of creating compelling content with and about Indigenous Australia. He will be leading a passionate team at an important time, as the ABC strives to build on the vital and growing legacy of the Indigenous department.”

Kelrick Martin said: “The ABC has an incredible track record of producing cutting-edge Indigenous screen content in Australia, most recently seen with Cleverman and the iview series Black As. This opportunity is both an honour and a true milestone in my career, and I’m excited to begin working with the current generation of skilled, passionate Indigenous filmmakers who are forging their path locally and overseas.”

Some entertainment, on Eric Abetz YouTube channel.

Herr Abetz is a comedy act. Pointless questions and has he most annoying voice ever. A disgraceful human as well.

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ABC International focuses investment in region

Ends foreign language services in French, Khmer, Vietnamese and Burmese

ABC International will increase its investment in media services for Chinese, Indonesian and Pacific audiences to offer more comprehensive coverage for regional audiences. These new initiatives, the result of a strategic review, mean ABC International will be better positioned to deliver a greater range of content in these areas.

The changes mean ABC International will create eight new positions to lead content areas and improve editorial and workflow priorities. However, ABC International has also made the decision to end foreign language services in French, Khmer, Vietnamese and Burmese, which are currently single-person operations.

The recommendations from the strategic review and the decision to close some services will fund this reinvestment across the network. ABC International will build on key relationships with China, Indonesia and the Pacific with increased investment in services including:

  • For Chinese audiences: anadditional Mandarin language site allowing ABC International to deliver a full Chinese news service, for Chinese audiences across the region and Australia, complementing the AustraliaPlus .cn cultural exchange portal.
  • For Bahasa Indonesian audiences: two new roles will be created, a new Content Maker and a Senior Producer, to improve ABC International’s capacity to extend Indonesian language content.
  • For Pacific audiences: the creation of a new Senior Producer Pacific position focussed on enhancing content for Pacific audiences. This new role will also manage and schedule the Radio Australia Services and the Pacific and Tok-Pisin service that has a distinct value in reaching PNG audiences.

Two other new Content Maker roles will be created, one with a focus on telling Pacific stories to audiences in that region and a second position to tailor English content on Australian life for all platforms.
ABC International Chief Executive Officer Lynley Marshall said the changes to these services would benefit the wider audience base in the region.

“These changes are the result of careful consideration and commitment to our services in the region as we approach 2020,” she said.

“The ABC has a long history with the Pacific nations while Indonesian and Chinese audiences comprise a growing audience base, both across our region and here in Australia.

“ABC International is determined to uphold the highest standards in international media services including our expanding digital and social media services. These changes represent ABC International’s commitment to delivering compelling content to key audiences.”

The closure of the Vietnamese, Khmer and Burmese language services will become effective on 2 December 2016, while the French service will continue until arrangements with France Television end in February 2017. The closures will affect six positions and a staff consultation process will begin shortly.

###NEW LOOK ABC APP

The ABC has released an updated ABC App for mobile and tablet, with improved functionality and a new look.
This latest version gives users a clearer interface, an enhanced video experience and live streaming of all the ABC TV channels.

The free app provides the best of the ABC whenever you want it, wherever you are, featuring up-to-the-minute news and relevant information, and the latest from the ABC’s wide range of content.

David Anderson, ABC Director Digital Network, said the new look app demonstrated the ABC is constantly trying to improve the digital experience for our audiences.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for them to connect with the ABC’s distinctive Australian content. The new design of this latest release has a fresh, modern look and feel and easier navigation to help users quickly find the content that is relevant to them,” he said.

“We will continue to improve the app further in 2017, adding more personalised features and providing access to more video and audio content from across the ABC.”

The ABC App is free to download for mobile and tablet via the App Store and Google Play.

It includes:

  • The latest stories and programs from ABC News
  • Live metro and regional radio streams, including the digital-only Double J and triple j Unearthed
  • More than 60 ABC podcasts
  • Live streaming of ABC TV’s channels
  • Stories on a broad range of topics, including sport, science, health, rural, technology, arts and entertainment
  • 3D Touch shortcuts on iPhone 6S devices give quick access to Just In, TV On Demand, Now On TV and Listen Live sections
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ABC International CEO Lynley Marshall has announced she will leave the national broadcaster in February 2017 to take up the role of CEO of Museums Victoria. Marshall has been an ABC Director since 2000, leading three ABC Divisions during her career at the national broadcaster. She has served as Director of ABC New Media and Digital Services and Director ABC Commercial, before being appointed CEO of ABC International in 2012.

Guthrie was seen as a breath of fresh air when her appointment was announced … the board got what they wanted: a woman … as her mother was Chinese, someone who reflected modern Australia.

Guardian Australia understands tensions have risen in executive ranks over her lack of vision and leadership.

Aww, left wing rag The Guardian has its panties in a twist because someone was employed for a position based on their gender and ethnicity, rather than what they were going to bring to the role.

Pretty sure both points were made as an aside; if a Caucasian male were making the same moves as Guthrie, the fury would’ve been exactly the same. Furthermore, it isn’t The Guardian which is perplexed by this, the quote you posted quite clearly attributes the Board as the unhappy element - a fact I’m sure Monday’s edition of The Australian (right wing rag) will gleefully back me up on.

Thanks for providing the link to The Guardian though, they sure appreciated the free advertising :slight_smile:

They weren’t made as an aside. It was quite clearly the setting up, in that article, of why she was hired, and what has been wrong since; that in effect she was the wrong person for the job to begin with (in which case the reasons why she was hired are of paramount importance).

I’m not sure what your point is here. Chuck the ABC Board and The Guardian into the same rubbish bin - they have the same regressive left wing views. The ABC Board did not say “she was seen as a breath of fresh air” etc., these are interpretations of The Guardian of the hiring process.

I quote, link or refer to all media. I’m not one of those left-wing nutcases that only reads echo-chamber opinions and finds offence in publications of another kind.

Sane, nuanced, intelligent analysis there. I’ll come back to you whenever I have important questions.

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Well, sorry, I don’t have time to unpick your obtuse post which somehow seemed to argue that the Guardian has vastly different editorial than the ABC. Every person on the street knows The Guardian plays to identity politics - you seemed to be suggesting only the ABC Board was concerned with the gender and ethnicity of the individual in question.

Typical member that likes to go around in circles. You take a clearly obvious point, twist it around to tell me that the Guardian wasn’t concerned with the identity characteristics, rather only the ABC was. I, in the clearest possible language I can, tell you that both did - even quoting the Guardians own text to you. After explaining, you come back with a snarky post which in no part refers to any substantive issue. Then, finally, after having to explain this all to you, you will say you’re tired of the discussion, or accuse me of doing what you’ve in fact done.

Could Guthrie get the Chair’s job too? Executive Chair.

PINA calls on ABC to review closure of shortwave service to the Pacific

The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) is concerned with the decision of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to shut down its Shortwave Radio Services to the Pacific by the end of January next year.

PINA joins the growing voices opposed to the ABC’s plan to close this ‘valuable and vital source of information’ to peoples and communities in the Pacific that have relied on Radio Australia for almost eight decades.

More so now with most Pacific Island Countries in the middle of their cyclone season, said PINA President Moses Stevens, who laments the impact of the service will have on the peoples in the Pacific who rely on the service after it is closed in January.

“PINA is concerned because it would mean the end of an era in regional broadcasting and a service that Pacific people have been reliant on for news, information and entertainment for over many years to date.

“Given the geographical landscape of the Pacific region, radio is still the most effective and efficient means of communication and source for information. The fact that most islands in the region are under resourced with regards to sustaining their broadcast stations, most of our people rely on Radio Australia and Radio New Zealand to acquire news and information, including cyclone warnings, said Stevens.

For almost 80 years, Radio Australia’s Shortwave Service has been the lifeline for many rural communities in the Pacific who rely on it for vital emergency service information.

The ABC in a statement earlier this month said the shut-down was in line with the broadcaster’s commitment to expand it digital content offerings. It said Radio Australia’s audiences in the Pacific will to be able to listen to FM broadcasts and online and the savings of AUD$2.8 million will be reinvested in FM transmitter network, increased regional content and media and journalism in the Pacific.

While PINA appreciates the Australian Government’s plan to redirect savings from the closure of the shortwave radio service into media and journalism in the Pacific, it is of the strong view that Australia will lose one of its strong connections with the Pacific, through Radio Australia.

PINA therefore calls on the ABC and its Management to review this decision and maintain its Shortwave Services to the Pacific.

Also of interest an opinion piece from Asia Pacific Policy Institute

Silencing Australia’s shortwave voice in the South Pacific

Some excerpts

Killing shortwave disregards—disenfranchises—an unknown number of listeners. As broadcasting policy, it’s highly questionable. As strategy, it’s dumb—another bout of recurring Oz amnesia about its South Pacific role, responsibilities and history.

My understanding is the ABC will save $2.8 million annually. Some cash is pledged to build extra FM transmitters in the South Pacific. The sequence is strange: terminate the service immediately and dispense with those listeners. Then start to look at (partial) replacements which may not be ready for several years. Mind the gap!

An ABC spokesman told ASPI that current FM transmitters in Port Moresby and Lae ‘cover a significant proportion of the country’s population’, adding: ‘The ABC is looking at three new transmitters to maximise coverage in the main population centres on PNG: Goroka and Mt Hagen in the PNG Highlands and at a strategic location on Bougainville Island. These are locations that will have no service once shortwave is switched off.’

From RNZ:

Pacific listeners upset at ABC ending shortwave service

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It’s a shame these services across the Pacific are being closed down. Australia has previously had and needs to maintain a lot of hard and soft influence in the region, and the latter I believe is currently being seriously mishandled.

At the end of the day, I guess the ABC’s priorities with its current funding is retaining the quality and scope of the domestic essential services at the expense of overseas and less popular services. After all, it needs to justify its survival and the importance of international ‘soft-power’ services such as the Australia Network and Asia Pacific Service seem to be looked over when it comes to arguing for funding. The outcry at the loss of Australia Network in particular lasted all of two days, even though the service was an important if not indispensable source of information for ex-pats and locals living in the Pacific.

I think the Government needs to look into reissuing the contacts for Australia Network and, additionally, providing additional funding through DFAT to save the Asia Pacific service. It’s not unheard of, AN was previously funded through DFAT and, IIRC, the BBC World Service was previously funded through the British equivalent of DFAT until the Government scrapped that and mandated the domestic licence fee fund it instead.

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Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has raised with the ABC concerns from Pacific nations about changes to the shortwave service and will seek an update in 2017: article

Look what popped through ABV12 Melbourne today!

This was just before the Pope’s Christmas Mass.

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Head of ABC TV, Richard Finlayson, has resigned.

###Statement from Richard Finlayson, ABC Director Television

I have decided that after more than three very satisfying and rewarding years as Director of ABC TV, it is time to move on to the next stage of my career.

After a short break at Christmas I indicated to the Managing Director, Michelle Guthrie, that as I finalise my next venture we should begin arrangements for my departure.

It has been an honour and a privilege to serve our audiences and work with the best talent in the industry. I am very confident I leave the business well positioned to succeed.

We have an outstanding slate of original programs across every genre that has won unprecedented recognition and is attracting major international interest. I am very proud of distinctive and quality programs like The Secret River, The Code and Cleverman that have gone to air during my time as Director.

Amid fierce competition, iview remains the number one TV VOD service in the country with more than 50 hours of brilliant, original shows as well two new Kids apps that are already loved by children and parents.

We have learned how to make valuable funds go further and have made tough decisions that are the seeds of future success within an industry that is undergoing rapid change.

Most of all, I’m proud of the incredible team in ABC TV that we have recruited, nurtured and developed. I know that the future of ABC TV and the national broadcaster is in highly capable hands.

I will be assisting Michelle on transition arrangements through to the end of March.

Richard Finlayson

ABC Director Television