Our Young Gun Profile aims to shed light on the young talent in varying roles across advertising, adtech, marketing and media sectors in Australia.
Justin McArthur, audio producer – Ampel Podcasts
Time in current role/time at the company:
10 months as audio producer/editor at Ampel.
How long have you been in the industry?
Broadly, more than a decade in PR and journalism, but this is my first job in a publisher environment. I've been paid to make podcasts for 3 years. I should break even by 2052.
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
I've always loved telling stories, but podcasting wasn't a known career option when I was in high school! I pursued journalism through Adelaide Uni student radio & magazines, and spent many years covering the Fringe and WOMADelaide for small local publications to develop my writing. In June 2021, I saw that Ampel had posted a freelance WFH listing in the Facebook group 'Young Australian Writers'. I applied for an editing job on Wednesday, was interviewed on Thursday and started work on Friday.
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
Our director of audio production, Stuart Buckland, joined the company in January — and frankly, I don't know how we got anything done without him. Stu is the go-to guy when we're suddenly juggling 10 different projects. Is it more important that I mock up a trailer for Show A, or write a script for Show B? I don't know, but Stu does.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
I feel unbelievably lucky to have found my way into podcasting at a time when more agencies are looking for creative ways to tell stories. It's truly a pleasure to work for an agency that's willing to take big swings.
And the biggest challenge?
At the same time, the massive growth of podcasting has seen the competition get tough. There's so much brilliant stuff out there at the moment; we have to work hard to differentiate ourselves.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
I often joke that I'm coming for Dr. Karl's job, because I love surprising people with science stories
(especially while wearing loud shirts). I'd love to work with more researchers & educators, and figure out how to share their stories with a broader audience. Especially if you know stuff about space — get in touch
Where do you turn for inspiration?
For writing: Wikipedia. For editing: Edgar Wright, Aunty Donna, and Every Frame a Painting. For interviewing: Andrew Denton and Marc Fennell.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I'm secretly 50 years old. I enjoy chess and sudoku, and I set aside an hour a day to solve the New York Times crossword.
In five years' time I'll be…
Podcasting. Or on the Moon. Maybe both.
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