Founder of Pop Up Radio Anthony Frangi & co-presenter & Interviewer Ian Skippen have over 70 years of radio between them. Some could say it is in their blood. So when circumstances changed they took their love of radio and created a new concept called Pop Up Radio (as an ex radio girl, I looove this concept). I spoke to founder Anthony Frangi to hear how their concept was developed and why it’s such a great idea.

How did the concept develop?

I’ve been facilitating conferences for more than 25 years and understand how important they are to an organisation or industry body, both in marketing terms and future growth. Conferences are also rich in content and I wanted to find a way that we could channel the audio and share it with like-minded people leaving a lasting impression.

I describe the birth of Pop Up Radio as taking the best of the broadcast and conference industry, married with modern technology to create a unique product for the event market in a progressive and dynamic city like Brisbane. Podcasting and streaming is very much a way of life today and we wanted to build a business that not only captures a permanent record of the extraordinary people who present at events, but also to celebrate the highly successful conference market we have in Australia.

Why is it different to other live streaming?

Imagine having your own radio station at a conference with on-air branding, specially produced imaging, sponsorship opportunities and dynamic interviews. That’s what we’ve created. Pop Up Radio targets a specialist audience and that’s what makes us different. We just don’t turn on a microphone and stream whatever is heard from a room. Our streaming provides for an entertaining and informative format that reflects the energy, professionalism and creativity of a great conference. That’s where the idea of an online ‘pop up’ radio station came about. We also look the part at an event building a temporary radio studio branded for each conference. We’ve been very successful in our first year securing several Queensland Government conferences where the client wanted to included participants in regional and remote Queensland.

What has been the reaction to Pop Up Radio?

Pop Up Radio Australia was launched in October 2015 and in 12 months our services have taken us interstate and to regional Queensland. In total, we’ve worked with over 25 clients ranging from the health and finance sector, higher education, not-for-profit, architects, real estate to small business. It’s been an exciting first 12 months for our team. Our second year (2017) looks like another bumper year now that we have several big events under our belt from which we can showcase our work.

Who is your ideal client?

Conferences and events are a growing industry and we see Pop Up Radio adding an exciting and engaging element and value adding on profitability; regardless of the size of a conference or event.  Our work throughout 2015 has allowed Pop Up Radio to work across a variety of sectors all willing to add something substantial for their members or industry.  Conference delegates also enjoy the idea of being streamed live, as well as the opportunity to use our podcasts to raise their profile, research and work.

At most conferences, delegates cannot attend every session, so Pop Up Radio provides the opportunity to be able to revisit what they may have missed via podcasts. We also offer sponsors and exhibitors the opportunity to promote their products and/or service before, during and after an event.

Our podcasts can also be packaged up into continuing professional development content. Our suite of services at Pop Up Radio also includes pre-event interviews with keynote speakers, sponsors and conference organisers to promote and “tease” to sell an event. It also adds value by creating a whole new audience, which means the benefits remain long after the event ends.

We also provide audio packages and grabs for media to access. Pop Up Radio produces audio newsletters made available to conference delegates at the start of each day as a quick and efficient way of staying up to date.

We also know that trade shows and expos are a great way to generate quality leads because they’re full of people actively interested in learning and improving aspects of their business operations. Many of the people who attend events are interested in learning more what you offer. We work with clients in building and maintaining the level of excitement that comes with every event. We do this in a number of ways:

• Pre-promote exhibitors at each event with professional interviews;
• Promote the latest products and services;
• Share industry topics relevant with your audience;
• Establish exhibitors as an authority in the business or industry;
• Generate awareness and boost their image;
• Allow exhibitors to stay relevant by promoting their attendance at your events;
• Be a differentiator putting exhibitors in front of the crowd;
• Add podcasts to each Australian Events app;
• Q & A to personalise your business, making it more likeable;
• Distinguishing exhibitors from the competition.

Where can you deliver Pop Up Radio? (anywhere in Australia)

Pop Up Radio is designed to provide live internet streaming to conference participants at the venue, regional locations, or to people on the other side of the world. Secondly, our on-site or “pop up” studio can be watched by event attendees as interviews occur, adding another layer of entertainment to an event.

The technology applied to Pop Up Radio took time to develop. We wanted to get it right. In fact we’re still developing innovative ways to deliver it. Our set-up uses only broadcast-quality equipment and professional presenters and technicians who are highly skilled in media production.

How do you think Pop Up Radio fits with our current digital environment?

The power of streaming and podcasting gains much of its communicative strength from being a spoken medium, so it captures not only information but the nuance of delivery. Streaming and podcasting has tremendous power to bring together very specific groups of people on the basis of some interest they share in common.

The best thing about ‘radio’ is that you can listen while doing something else. At our last event we had listeners “tuning in” while working from their desk, walking to their next appointment and in board rooms listening as a group. Audio frees them up to keep working rather than staring at a screen for an hour.