The Network Ireland West Cork Women in Media event with keynote speaker Margaret Nelson, CEO of FM104/Q102, and other guest speakers Karla Goodman of Made to Measure Films Ireland Ltd and Aoife McInerney of Communico took place on Wednesday October 24, 2018, at AIB in Bandon, Cork.
A recent IMRO Radio Award Hall of Fame recipient, Margaret Nelson is one of the best known and respected radio executives in Ireland. Since her appointment as Station Director of FM104 in 2008, she has lead her management team to bring FM104 dramatically ahead of all other music stations in the capital. She has also managed to maintain this dominance in a hugely competitive radio market with a current prime time market share of 17%.
Speaking at the Network Ireland West Cork event, Margaret Nelson said: “Five to seven years ago, there was talk that social media was going to take over. But, look at Storm Ophelia and what local radio did for that. Irish people listen to approximately four-and-a-half hours of radio every day. Irish people like talk and chat and have a very unique relationship with the radio. We have the highest rate of long listening. FM 104 is the most profitable radio station in Europe.”
Ms Nelson continued by discussing her business approach with the West Cork businesswomen. “We are not in it [business] to make friends; we’re in it to make good business decisions and to be fair. We all need to think outside the box, we can’t be the same as everyone else; don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”
Speaking at the Network Ireland West Cork event, Adrienne Harrington, President of Network Ireland West Cork, said: “West Cork is such a wonderful place to live, work and visit, we are very lucky to have people like Margaret Nelson, who spends a lot of her time in the area, come to speak to us tonight. The talent pool here is second to none, which means that each of our Network Ireland West Cork events is as interesting as the last. Due to this diversity, we have over 80 members in the branch since we started in March. There is a sense of recognition, support and collaboration amongst members that is refreshing.”
Network Ireland West Cork holds networking events for members and guests in different locations in West Cork on the last Wednesday of every month. The organisation currently has over 80 members and welcomes new members from across West Cork.
For further information and to stay up-to-date with the latest news, subscribe to the monthly newsletter by emailing westcork@networkireland.ie or follow the branch on Facebook and Twitter.
Photos: Dermot Sullivan Photography
