Careers

What Do They Do?

Radio stations hold events for many different reasons: to connect with their audience, to reach out to new audiences, and to provide a platform for artists, DJs and their own presenters. The role of the Event Producer is to manage the logistics to enable this to go as smoothly as possible.

Depending on the nature of the project, an Event Producer may also be involved in bringing content ideas to the table, and may be tasked with booking guests, artists and other contributors.  On the event day, they may get involved with some content creation – taking photos, conducting interviews, or videoing certain elements of the day.

The Event Producer’s role will follow the event cycle from the idea stage, right the way through to delivery.  This means:

• Helping to establish the vision for the event
• Working out where and when to host it
• Handling location and venue booking
• Pulling together the team to deliver the event – producers, assistants, technical staff
• Sourcing everything you can see physically on a stage – the PA, lights, cameras, set dressing etc
• Making sure the audience experience onsite is smooth
• Co-ordinating the broadcast element to ensure the engineering and production teams have what they need in order to get the best content to air – from parking spaces for broadcast trucks, to
• Bringing together people who will staff the event – the technical teams, audience teams, artist teams, production teams, and facilities teams
• Liaising with marketing teams to ensure that any station branding is present and correct, but also that the event is effectively marketed to the audience
• Completing production itineraries and risk assessments where relevant
• Being present onsite during the event to manage logistics and ensure people are where they need to be
• Trouble-shooting issues as and when they arise
• Staying across the event content to make sure it is going to plan
• Completing the event debrief to establish what worked and what learnings there may be for next time

Project management is at the heart of this role and there’s likely to be a fairly hefty spreadsheet to keep track of the various stages and ensure things happen in the right order.

Who Do They Work With?

• Event Producers will work with pretty much every department within the radio station – from production teams and presenters, to network heads, press and marketing, and station sound.
• Event Producers work with everyone who has a role in supplying resources to the event: from the venue managers, to production suppliers, artist/label management and facilities teams. Depending on the nature or the venue, they may also need to liaise with local councils, and emergency services.

What Skills Do I Need?

• Event Producers are highly organised individuals, who are able to prioritise, problem solve and remain calm under pressure.
• Event Producers are flexible, adapt easily to different working environments and work well with a range of different people.
• Event Producers have a thorough knowledge of health and safety protocols and are diligent in their application.
• Event Producers need strong communication skills as they will need to write briefs, marketing copy and documents like call sheets which will be widely circulated.
• Event Producers are self-motivated and open to working long and sometimes erratic hours.

How Do I Get This Job?

There are event management courses that will teach you some of the skills you may need, however you don’t necessarily need to have a qualification for a role like this.  Hands-on work experience can be just as valuable and will prove that you’re passionate about working in the industry.

Event producers may have hosted their own events, gigs or festivals, and may have volunteered as stewards at other larger scale events.