Meet the new Learning Waves Board Members.
Today was an exciting day for Learning Waves as three new board members were formally welcomed to the network for the next two years. Following their nominations at the Learning Waves AGM earlier this month, Jess Kelly, Radio Presenter at Newstalk, Sean Davis, Sales Manager at Bauer Media Audio Ireland, and Adrian Barry, Operations Director at Off the Ball offically took their seats on the board today. Patricia Monahan was re-elected as Chairperson for the next year while Fionnuala Rabbitt, Managing Director, Highland Radio retains her position as vice Chair of the board. Not to rest on her laurels, Jess Kelly assumed the role as Secretary following the departure of Maria McKenzie from the board earlier this year. Taking charge of the finances for another year will be Michael Crawley, CEO, LMFM and Anne Marie Carroll, Finance Director, Ireland's Classic Hits will support Michael as Assistant Treasurer.
Jess Kelly brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the board. She highlighted the positive effect Learning Waves courses have had on her career. “I have benefitted immensely from Learning Waves courses. Having been a trainee, I’m excited to now serve on the board and contribute to shaping the future of radio professionals,” Jess shared.
As Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess’s expertise in digital technology is invaluable. She is eager to enhance Learning Waves’ digital training programmes. Jess explained, “My day to day is technology. I have a tech brain and a radio brain. I aim to give a hand in identifying trends and tools that may influence training over the next year.” When asked about what training does she see necessary over the next year, Jess said “The big thing is AI. I would like to see training in helping journalists understand and identify how to use AI as a tool to support them rather than to replace them. There is an opportunity for everyone, not just journalists, to use AI to its best advantage.”
In November 2023 Jess was the mentor for the Learning Waves TY Media Week Programme in Newstalk. Jess reflected on this period fondly. She said “Working on the TY Media Week Programme was one of the most rewarding projects I have ever worked on. I am looking forward to continuing to shape the programme on a national level. I am also eager to tell other journalists just how rewarding it is, not only for the students, but for the stations involved. I am still in touch with the students to this day!”
Sean Davis, with his extensive background in the commercial side of radio, is enthusiastic about joining the Learning Waves board. “On a personal level, it’s a significant milestone to be part of the Learning Waves board. I am eager to gain new insights and forge wider industry connections beyond Bauer,” he shared. “Upskilling is critical, and Learning Waves has played a vital role in our industry since its creation. I am really excited to contribute to its continued success.”
Reflecting on his training with Learning Waves, Sean highlighted the impact of the Presentation Skills training with The Lir Academy. “The advice from that particular course has stayed with me for a long time and benefited me enormously in my career,” he noted. Looking ahead, Sean sees the need for innovation in technology within the radio sector. He explained “While AI is certainly a hot topic, there is still much to be done with existing technologies in our sector.”
Adrian Barry brings both passion and energy to the Learning Waves board. "I think the Irish radio industry has in so many ways led the way with embracing a new world order in media on a global scale, and it’s important we continue that. I hope to bring my passion and energy to the Learning Waves board to help keep us ahead of the curve and lean on my experience over the last 20 years in the areas of editorial, operations, and commercial to help support the next generation of people in the independent radio sector," he said.
Adrian acknowledges the dynamic nature of the radio industry. He said, “Our industry is changing, and we must adapt. As important as it is for us strategise, to respond to current tech and audience developments and to try and predict what’s coming into the future, it’s all worthless if we’re not empowering our people with the skills to guide us along the road.”
Looking ahead, Adrian identifies several key training needs within the industry for the upcoming year. He explained, “Finding the widest reach from every broadcast opportunity must be a big focus for our stations if they’re to win new audiences and new revenue streams. This will require training in capturing radio content on video, video editing, understanding social media platforms, commercialising digital audio and social media content.”