ABC Welcomes Jessica Radburn As Head Of Audio On Demand

The ABC is delighted to announce the appointment of internationally renowned audio executive Jessica Radburn as our Head of Audio on Demand.

Reporting to the Head of Audio, Jessica will lead the ABC’s audio on demand strategy including our commissioning and development processes. She will manage our podcast slate to ensure it aligns to the ABC’s audience priorities across all our key brands.

Jessica was most recently the Head of International Podcast Content for Podcast Publisher Wondery where she oversaw all of Wondery’s original podcasts outside of the US, including #1 shows Ghost Story, Price of Paradise and Kurt Krömer – Feelings.

Prior to her time with Wondery, Jessica spent 5 years working in various roles at leading spoken word entertainment company Audible. She was the Senior Director of Global Content Programming where she oversaw Audible’s multi-language global audio original program. She was also Director of Original Content for Audible in the United States where she was responsible for the strategic development and negotiation of premium audio content with entertainment brands, creators, and celebrities, including DC Comics and the Fox Entertainment Group.

Before that, Jessica was Audible’s Head of Content in Australia and New Zealand, overseeing the transformation of its Australian audio strategy from audiobook distribution to content licensor and original content creator.

Of her new role, Jessica said: “I am excited to return to Australia and the ABC as the first Head of Audio on Demand. The ABC has a well-earned reputation, internationally and locally, for original and compelling story-telling.

“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to build on that renown, working with some of the country’s best voices and creators to produce shows that connect, inspire, and entertain our listeners.” Of her appointment ABC Head of Audio Ben Latimer said, “I am thrilled to have Jessica joining the ABC as our Head of Audio on Demand.”

“Jessica’s unparalleled content experience in Australia and internationally will be an invaluable resource for the ABC as we continue to build on our success as one of Australia’s most successful podcast publishers.”

Jen Oldershaw Appointed To Key ABC Listen Role

The ABC is pleased to announce the appointment of top radio executive and former triple j presenter Jen Oldershaw as the ABC listen head.

Oldershaw brings to the role extensive experience across public and commercial radio broadcasting. Rising to prominence early in her career as a presenter on triple j and later a producer, Oldershaw was a founding member of Nova 969 and Vega 95.3 (now Smooth FM), implementing significant strategic projects as part of these networks.

ABC listen is a strategic priority for the ABC and go-to for audiences to live stream their favorite stations, listen to Australia’s top podcasts and keep up to date on with news.

“I’m excited to be taking on such an important role with ABC listen. It’s already the home to so much great ABC audio and I’m looking forward finding ways to get that into the ears of as many people as possible,” Oldershaw said.

In 2015, Oldershaw returned to the ABC as Content Director at Radio Sydney, managing program teams across linear, digital and social. In her most recent role as National Content Editor of Capital City Radio, she commissions national content, drives network strategy projects and collaborates with the broader ABC business on tentpole events.

Reporting to Head Digital Content and Innovation, Angela Stengel, Oldershaw commences in the ABC listen role on October 31. 

Stengel said: “I am delighted that Jen has chosen ABC listen for her next career move. Jen’s experience has traversed brands, taking her from music to talk, and from young to broad audiences.

“ABC listen is a priority product as we transition to become a digital-first media organization and Jen’s content expertise is driven by a commitment to quality, a deep understanding of the craft, and the ability to draw insights from data. These skills are vital to the next evolution of ABC listen.”

About Jen Oldershaw

Jen Oldershaw is a media professional with a career spanning 30 years in the radio industry as a content maker, manager and most recently National Content Editor of the Capital City Network where she commissions content for the national network, collaborates across the ABC for major projects as well as initiating and driving network strategy for Local Radio.

She has a long association with the ABC having started her career as presenter on triple j at the very beginning of its national expansion. She presented and produced many programs on the network including Breakfast, Drive and the Morning Show, where she hosted important conversations on current cultural affairs for the national youth audience. More recently as Content Director of ABC Sydney she managed all broadcast, digital and social teams and content for the station.

Overshaw saw the birth of two new radio networks as a founding member of both Nova 969 and Vega 95.3 (now Smooth FM) in doing so was highly involved in their early strategic visions, successes and challenges. Away from the day to day of radio, as AFTRS Radio Lecturer she was part of a small team delivering highly focussed and practical industry training to the new generation of content makers.

ABC Announces Exclusive Multiyear Podcast Advertising Partnership With Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast

ABC Audio announced an exclusive, multiyear podcast advertising deal with Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast, the industry’s premier podcast advertising marketplace connecting with ad-buyers and content creators. This strategic partnership will position ABC Audio’s award-winning podcast portfolio for continued growth. 

“ABC Audio’s podcast business is flourishing, and we’re poised to make several exciting content announcements in the fall,” said Liz Alesse, vice president of ABC Audio. “We’re thrilled to have AdvertiseCast in our corner as we expand our podcasting footprint even further and take this business to new heights.”

ABC Audio’s diverse library of podcasts features ABC News’ flagship daily news podcast Start Here, winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Sound in 2022 and 2023, as well as Reclaimed: The Story of Mamie-Till Mobley which won the 2023 Edward R. Murrow Award for Podcasting. ABC Audio also offers listeners a robust true-crime collection that includes The King Road Killings, Truth and Lies, and 20/20.

In addition to its library of original podcasts, ABC Audio collaborates with partners across The Walt Disney Company to create best-in-class audio content, including the recently announced Disney’s Frozen Podcast: Forces of Nature, said Dave Hanley, chief revenue officer of Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast. “By combining our experience in podcast advertising with ABC Audio’s authoritative voice and content, we are confident that this partnership will deliver unparalleled value to listeners and advertisers alike.”

With a commitment to excellence in journalism and storytelling, ABC Audio podcast advertisers can feel confident that their brands will be represented alongside top-quality content. AdvertiseCast will offer advertiser a combination of host-read and programmatic options that will be seamlessly incorporated into ABC Audio’s podcasts.

For more information or to advertise in ABC Audio’s portfolio of podcasts, please reach out to sales@advertisecast.com.