'New talent should come through community radio'

Community radio should play a key role in developing the next generation of radio talent.

That's according to presenter Jo Good who is spearheading the launch of a new talent agency in Manchester.

Good, who has worked on commercial stations and more recently BBC 6 Music, is running the northern business of Triple A Media, an agency launched by her own agent - former radio plugger Andy Hipkiss in London.

It has been active in the North for about six months and has Clint Boon, Capital's Sally Hudson and BBC Radio 5 Live's Michelle Dignan on its books.

With financial pressures and consolidation in commercial radio, Good believes there are less opportunities for new-starters.

"If there's a justification for an agent earlier in someone's career it's because there are fewer places [in radio]. Presenters have to land fully-formed, there aren't as many graveyard shifts to practice on," says Good.

"Although I am heartened to see networks like Capital starting to free up space to give new talent a run out. It's vital that they continue to do this. If they do not then the talent pool will dry up. There is no substitute for 'air miles' - without proper live experience no presenter will reach their full potential.

"I believe this is where community radio platforms have a real opportunity to step up and become creative forces - and talent breeding grounds - to be reckoned with. I hope more follow the example of stations like Gaydio, Unity and Peace Fm (in Manchester) and begin to take themselves seriously."

Good started working on Saturday mornings at AA Roadwatch in Cheadle when she was 17 and was offered a full-time job as soon as she finished her A levels.

From there she began a journey that took her through the studios of Kiss 102 (latterly Galaxy) and Key 103, before spells at MTV, Capital and XFM in London.

She is currently filling in on BBC 6 Music and Real Radio as well as completing an English Literature degree at Salford University.

Her brief is to represent established talent like Boon and Dignan as well as scout for new names. She is already looking after 17-year-old Tom Green, a presenter on Preston's Rock FM and Jordan North, a 22-year-old who has presented on Bauer Media's The Hits station.

"Andy has the big names, the big guns," says Good, "whereas my job's sort of like an academy role".

"Tom Green volunteers on Rock FM's breakfast show and then goes to college. He comes home, does his website and on weekends he does his own show.

"We talk about what he wants to do, how he can get there, how he can show himself to execs at Radio 1, which is where he wants to be."

She adds: "It's about guiding, and I have got a hold on the kind of mentality you need to have to progress. But we are in a different world now, so they have to think about their profile, their brand, and their social networks."

Triple A has recently taken on TV exec Reem Nouss to help develop TV vehicles for its roster, and joins a growing number of 'talent' related services springing up around MediaCityUK.

Last week Red Door Management, based in the Pie Factory, said it was taking more space at the Greenhouse which is also home to Big Deal Creative, a consultancy set up by former North West Vision chief Paul Taylor.

However, Good told How-Do that Triple A's expansion was not directly connected to the BBC's move.

"It's not down to the BBC as much as you would think. I'm in Manchester so it was always an organic, obvious next step."

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