The Independent Media Agencies of Australia (IMAA) has announced the launch of its first Sound-Byte conference, aimed at spotlighting the Australian audio industry. This event is part of IMAA's Bytes series, following the successful introduction of the Digi-Byte events last year.

Scheduled to take place at ARN's North Sydney office on Thursday, 26 June 2025, the Sound-Byte conference will feature a lineup of prominent figures from the audio sector. Keynote speakers for the event include KIIS Breakfast hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O, who are expected to draw significant attention.

The conference will host a variety of major players in the audio industry, including ARN, Southern Cross Austereo, Nova Entertainment, Nine, Mamamia, News Australia, ATN, and audio measurement company GfK. The event is supported by Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA), underscoring its significance within the industry.

IMAA Chair Jacquie Alley is set to lead a panel session titled 'Content is Still King: The Art of Entertainment', which will delve into the enduring importance of content in the audio landscape. Additionally, CRA Chief Commercial Officer Jo Dick will moderate a discussion on the future of audio, with a focus on AudioID and measurement.

The conference will also explore podcasting strategies, featuring insights from experts at Mamamia, News Corp, Nine Radio, and Nova Entertainment. This focus on podcasting comes amidst a backdrop of strong growth in the audio sector, particularly in digital radio and podcasting.

IMAA CEO Sam Buchanan highlighted the significance of the event, stating, "Sound-Byte is an opportunity to bring together the stars and leadership of Australia’s audio industry to share their expertise, insights and experience of the growing national audio landscape." Buchanan noted the sector's robust growth, citing the latest Guideline SMI data for April, which showed ad revenue growth of nearly 13%, marking the second largest increase since the COVID pandemic.

Buchanan expressed enthusiasm for the participation of high-profile figures, saying, "We’re thrilled to have superstars Kyle and Jackie O on board to present the keynote speech, along with a range of radio hosts and executives, who bring a deep understanding of the sector to our members." He further emphasized the value of the event for IMAA members, stating, "We’re proud to continue to provide opportunities for our members to learn from the best and brightest in the business, and to walk away with actionable insights to take to their clients and campaigns."

CRA CEO Lizzie Young commented on the strategic importance of the event, saying, "IMAA’s Sound-Byte event gives direct access to the people shaping the future of audio in Australia and the landscape across broadcast, streaming and podcasting; enabling smarter, more effective strategies. Independent agencies are in a prime position to harness audio's momentum."