Paddy Power launches
‘Turning Up The Volume’

Paddy Power from Paddy Power Bookmakers officially launched Learning Waves Skillnet 2008-2009 ‘Turning Up the Volume’ Project on 10th April 2008. The project launch took place in the Hilton Hotel, Malahide Road Dublin among a large crowd of Learning Waves members. The event was preceded by the BCI workshop on the Advertising Code. Paddy Power gave an overview of the success of his business with examples of marketing interventions, importance of training and people in the success of business, their experience of radio as a client and he wished Learning Waves every success in 2008-2009 as they ‘turn up the volume’ in the industry.

Michael elected as Chairperson for 2008-2009

Michael Crawley, CEO, LMFM has been re-elected as Chairperson of Learning Waves for 2008-2009 following the board meeting in May 2008. Fiona Stack, General Manager, Radio Kerry, stepped down as Chairperson after one year in the position. Tributes were paid to Fiona at the meeting for her contribution and hard work during her term as Chairperson over 2007-2008.

Music Workshop

Learning Waves held a very interesting, informative and entertaining Music Workshop on 25th April 2008. The workshop called Past, Present and Future, featured Brendan Balfe, JP Coakley, Peter Ganley, Chris Greene, Seamus Barry, Muireann O’Connell and Ray Foley, all of whom gave their story about how they got into radio, how they interact with listeners and the challenges the digital era presents to the industry.

New Courses

The following new courses have been introduced by Learning Waves :

• Dramarama – Dramatic Possibilities for Radio: a 3 day programme looking at the creative elements of radio drama, the scripting of radio drama and the recording of drama for radio. The programme is being facilitated by Diarmuid deFaoite, POC Productions Galway and Roisin Kelleher, BBC NI. The programme is a joint initiative between Learning Waves and Sound & Vision (Broadcast Funding Scheme), a BCI initiative.
• News Analysis – How to Maximise the Impact of Your News for Your Listeners : a 2 day in-station programme with Eric Dixon from Eric Dixon Media, aimed at analysing and reviewing your news output, and developing new and creative methods of ‘telling your news’ so that it has maximum impact for your listeners. This is an in-house course and is available on request from stations.
• An Extra Pair of Ears - Analysis, Mentoring and Development of Your Prime Time Talk Show: a 2 day in-station course with StillWater Communications, taking a complete and in-depth analysis on all aspects of your flagship program from the target audience to the presenter’s delivery allowing you to explore/discover your strengths and weaknesses. This course will help you to build on your success and also identify what you need to implement to increase listenership/market share and to be the program leader of choice in your area
  

E-Learning Module

The Libel and Defamation course delivered by Andrea Martin has now been developed into an on-line resource guide using a combination of Powerpoint and Audio materials. This is now available on www.learningwaves.ie. A username and password must be obtained from the Learning Waves Project Manager to access the content. Resource materials and notes are also available on the site. Over the coming months, an assessment tool will be added to the resource guide.

In-station Training Courses

The following courses are now available in station and can be requested from Learning Waves Project Manager :

• Strategic Business Planning
• Advanced Speech & Voice Training
• An Extra Pair of Ears’ - Analysis, Mentoring and Development of Your Prime Time Talk Show
• News Analysis – How to Maximise the Impact of Your News for Your Listeners
• Scripting for Sales

Learning Waves is currently reviewing its Generic Management Training and full details of this training will be circulated to all stations during June 2008. A number of the generic management programmes will be available to stations in-house and stations can tailor the training to meet the needs of their management team. A minimum number of participants must attend the training in order for the training to be delivered in-house. For further details on this contact Teresa on 087 4173301 or teresahanratty@learningwaves.ie.

On-line booking system for Training

An on-line booking system is now available for all those wishing to attend training courses with Learning Waves. Participants can book the course through the Learning Waves website www.learningwaves.ie/training and an email will be forwarded with all details of the course and reminders within five and one day of the course taking place will be sent to those who have booked to the course. To view and book courses, go to the training calendar.