No one can deny that Joan Warner’s made an impact since she took on the job of CEO of Commercial Radio just two years ago. Starting with the name change from FARB (which Jonathon Coleman once described as “something I wash my soiled underwear in”) to Commercial Radio Australia, she’s left no doubt that the Radio industry’s peak body under her watch is first and foremost about selling more ads and taking the fight right up to TV and Press.

Along with Steve James who heads up the marketing department, she’s developed a fresher more hi-tech image with a new set of sales tools that, through the web, are easily accessible to stations, rep companies and advertisers. And while the new on-air campaign has been criticised by some for a bland creative execution, it nonetheless effectively communicates radio’s unique strengths.

Then there’s the Rawards – now the Radio Awards – Commercial Radio’s big night out. Over the years many have tried to get the format right…and failed miserably. Maybe it’s been the fault of the producers or perhaps it’s the fact that even Ric Birch with an Olympics sized budget couldn’t hold the attention of what must surely be the toughest room on the planet. Either way, Joan’s determined not to die wondering.

CRA also vigorously lobbies Government on issues as diverse as the longevity of AM towers at Homebush Bay sites; GST on radio station prizes; spectrum access; blackspots funding for radio and advertising restrictions. Is it working? If nothing else, last year was the first time in yonks that the relevant federal minister (currently Richard Alston) has bothered to turn up at the Radio Awards.

Warner is nothing if not busy. Even when the industry ends up doing nothing (or nothing much) in regards to digital broadcasting or electronic audience measurement, Joan’s been frantically busy doing it.

This week, Joan Warner has kindly agreed to make herself busy on the radioinfo Forum page by answering your questions. Its easy. Just go to the Forum and post your question there and Joan will post her answer soon after.

In the meantime, here’s some background on our Forum guest.

Joan Warner – CEO – Commercial Radio

Joan Warner is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Commercial Radio, the peak industry body for commercial radio in Australia. Commercial Radio, formerly known as the Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters, represents 249 commercial radio stations throughout Australia. It provides the voice for commercial radio around Australia on all issues affecting the industry and also provides services and information to commercial radio stations. Joan has been CEO since July 2001 and has implemented extensive structural change and identified a new direction and focus for the organisation, which includes leading the industry on investigating the potential for digital radio in Australia.

Joan’s extensive career has spanned the public, private and political sectors in Australia. Having worked in all three areas during her career, Joan has developed a unique strategic perspective on doing business in Australia and S-E Asia and in dealing with Governments at all levels in Australia. Her broad array of experience and knowledge extends across management, business planning and implementation, organizational change, strategic policy & process and corporate & public affairs as a senior executive in politics, the public service, the consumer goods sector and professional services. Amongst the many strategic responsibilities of her wide-ranging career, Joan has also managed the development and implementation of media and promotional strategies in both government and the private sectors.

Prior to her role as CEO of Commercial Radio, Joan was Deputy to the Managing Director at Phillips Fox Insurance and Financial Services Practice. She has held senior management positions with Axiss Australia (Australian Centre for Global Finance) and George Weston Foods Pty Ltd as well as with State and Federal Government Ministers in both Government and Opposition.

Joan holds two degrees, in Education and Administration, as well as a Master of Education and a Master of Business Administration.