James Cridland to move to Brisbane

By James Cridland for media.info
Posted 14 September 2015, 7.00am edt

I've just said (most of) this on-stage at the Next Radio radio ideas conference:

Many of you know that I call myself a ‘radio futurologist’. I’m helping media companies across the world to implement change, and to better deal with what the future may bring.

The future, many people tell us, is one where the weather will be hotter. Where radio will be driven by personality and talent, not solely music logs. The future should bring us a stronger economy, and more revenue being put into content on-air. And who knows, the future might be a place where DAB radio stations even broadcast in stereo.

My family and I are moving to the future. Because towards the end of this year we’re going to Brisbane in Australia, where all of that is already happening: and where it’s already the future: at least, it's ten hours ahead of here.

For me, it means that I can better serve Asian and Australian media: a varied and exciting market with some of the best audience figures, yet some of the fastest-moving and most disruptive technologies.

My partner and I have many friends across Australian radio, and we've plenty of family in Queensland, too. And for our daughter, it means great schools and the space she needs to thrive. I'm looking forward to spending a sunny Christmas holiday with my Australian family.

Wish us luck!