Today Medianet is joined by News Producer and Reporter, Jarrod Pollard. Here, Jarrod gives an insight to his career and his passion for sport journalism.
Hi Jarrod! Firstly, congratulations on your new role as a Freelance News Producer and Reporter at Fox Sports! Could you tell us a bit about what this new role entails and how you juggle it with your position at ARN?
Thank you! Basically over the last month I’ve been learning the ropes at Fox Sports News, properly learning how to put together visuals and scripts for the news packages which go to air, and understanding how it all works and comes together. On top of that, I’ve been doing practice reads on set to learn how everything works up there, from prompters to earpieces and everything in between! I was lucky enough to get my TV debut for Fox Sports News’ 8pm hour-long bulletin.
In terms of my position at ARN, I’ve been a Journalist and Newsreader for Wave FM in my hometown of Wollongong for nearly a year now, doing the afternoon shift. However, because we’re part of a wider network, I’ve found myself covering regional markets like Bega, Muswellbrook and even capital cities like Perth! It’s been the perfect first full time role in media, learning the ropes for different markets while still being 20 minutes from home.
I’ve been very lucky my leaders at ARN have facilitated my desire to become a sports broadcaster, allowing me to freelance casually on weekends at Fox Sports and work full time on radio down in the Gong! My usual week currently looks like Wollongong radio from Monday to Friday, then up at Fox Sports News on Sunday afternoon.
What does your media cycle currently look like? And with the Olympics, how did it change, both for reporting on local and international sporting events?
For local news in Wollongong, our cycle usually starts when we’re sent a press release or when we find a story locals care about. We then look for comment from people on both sides of the spectrum to provide a balanced story. For the Olympics, we had a few local athletes competing so we’ll be able to run a few scripts on how they go. Using audio and weaving through broadcasting rights makes it difficult!
Up at Fox Sports, we get a story, then the senior producer allocates it to one of the producers to piece together. For the Olympics, broadcasting rights make it tricky as to what you can and cannot use for content but luckily the news editors are all over it!
How do you hope to stand out from other Sports Journalists and Commentators? What can audiences expect from your insight, and how has your practical experience in coaching Football affect how you report on it?
At the point I’m at currently in my career, the way I’m trying to stand out is to aim at being versatile, a quick learner, and just saying yes to everything, even when I’m tired. I have a couple of unreal roles, I can cope with being tired every now and then for it!
In terms of whatever chances on camera I ever get if it comes, I just want to stand out as the guy who sounds relatable and is easy to listen to. I try using my love of sport in particular to convey it.
I feel like my experience in and around sport in general has taught me how to communicate on camera, and the type of lingo needed to make it sound good. Growing up I’ve been a player, coach, stand-in referee, tournament supervisor, and manual hand. I feel like I learned what different people like to hear when it comes to the media and particularly with players—if you report in the right way by them, they’ll be happy to chat to you again.
What has been the most memorable experience of your career thus far? Should we be keeping an eye out for any projects/content from you in the near future?
Definitely my on camera debut reading Fox Sports News. Growing up, my afternoon ritual would be to make a toastie, sit down and put on Fox Sports News before going to soccer training. To be the guy on the camera with family and friends watching was so cool. Hopefully I get the chance to continue and maybe even branch out to different sports!
The other highlight would have to be my first ever news bulletin for Wave FM last September. I had to learn everything within a week and a half before going straight on air in my hometown, which was such a cool experience.
Hopefully you’ll see more of me on Fox Sports News screens, sideline at the footy, or pit lane at the Formula 1 one day! Who knows!
As someone who’s worked in various roles/outlets within the media landscape, what have been the biggest challenges and differences in how these roles/outlets plan and produce content?
For my role in Radio, whatever content which goes into the bulletins is down to me. I need to know what the audience finds relevant and what impact the story has on them. From there, I source and edit everything before writing and piecing it together.
At Fox Sports News, the senior producer will allocate for us and decide what we need to put together. We’ll have a number of producers putting it together rather than just one, it’s a big team effort.
The biggest challenge going into different roles? Learning the differences and being adaptable to it.
Lastly, what makes for a memorable pitch?
Without a doubt, having a pitch which is both newsworthy and relevant to the market in which said media organisation is broadcasting to.
Journalists love a story which is of local audience significance, and doesn’t just sound like a sales campaign.
For example, a new café opening just down the road? Not exactly newsworthy. The café owner raising money and participating in the Vinnies winter sleepout for homelessness? Now that’s newsworthy.
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