Dr Mumbo

Tim Johnson sends a press release instead of a postcard

It seems cruel to mock this press release. Indeed, reading between the lines it actually makes Dr Mumbo slightly sad.

It’s very nice that former Nova producer Tim Johnson is having a good time in New York and had met some famous people. And slightly promising that people at a couple of radio stations have let him have a meeting with them. And perhaps not entirely new news that in New York “there’s always something going on” But a press release?:  

FROM NOVA TO NYC ROVER FOR DMG RADIO PRODUCER

Former Executive Producer For Merrick & Rosso & Kate Ritchie Tim Johnson Finds Success In NYC

New York, NY (Aug 13, 2010) –

Ex Nova 96.9 Sydney Announcer and Merrick & Rosso & Kate Ritchie Executive Producer, Tim Johnson is making waves in the United States as a roving entertainment reporter, riding on the back of the huge levels of success he achieved at the Sydney radio station.

Where Tim once booked interviews for the breakfast show talent, Tim now lists stars like Bruce Willis, Leonardo DiCaprio and Sarah Jessica Parker as just a few of the endless list of celebrities he himself has interviewed since landing in New York in 2008. With his interviews and reports heard on radio stations across Australia, read in magazines like Grazia and on the hugely popular website Moviehole.net, it seems inevitable for Tim’s career to explode even further. Tim was recently invited to meet with executives at New York’s Z100 and WPLJ radio stations, the editor of People magazine and television managers and producers; all of whom have a keen interest in the budding young Aussie.

Tim describes New York as “…fun, fast-paced and just like you imagine,” but says New Yorkers are misrepresented.

“I expected New Yorkers to be brash and loud like I’d seen on TV and in the movies. OK, mainly from Home Alone 2. And while they may be brash and honest, it’s actually really endearing. I find myself striking up a conversation with people in the line at Starbucks (coffee shop), or at the supermarket, or on the subway all the time. And the city itself is just phenomenal. There’s the history and the characters. I mean, the characters in Seinfeld really do exist! And there’s always something going on; like the MTV Awards, red carpet premieres, and massive film stars in Broadway shows. And all of that is great for what I do, let me tell you!”

Tim lists visits to film sets, interviews in presidential suites and meeting the cast of Sex & the City 2 as some of his New York City highlights.

“That (visiting the set of the 2011 Jennifer Aniston/Colin Farrell film, Horrible Bosses) was great fun. I watched a couple of scenes being shot before talking to some of the cast and crew off-set. And the film companies really know how to look after you. I guess maybe they’re just hoping you’ll say something nice about the movie! But they’ll usually book out a floor of one of the best hotels in the city, with the best views and always provide amazing catered food. Some of the rooms I’ve interviewed in have had people like Marilyn Monroe, or John F Kennedy stay in them. Those rooms are just so grand and have so much history, it’s just amazing.”

“One of the most exiting interviews was for Sex & the City 2. There was so much hype around the film, and the crowd outside Bergdorf (Goodman, department store, where the press day took place) was crazy. And I found the girls were really sweet. You know what? I think they actually looked even better in the flesh, too.”

Now, a very long way from home, Tim says he does miss some of Australia’s treasures.

“Silence! You begin to become accustomed to ‘quiet’ being traffic, sirens and jackhammers in New York. And also beaches. It’s summer here at the moment, but it’s hard to escape the heat like you can in Australia. If you didn’t have a backyard pool; your cousins did, or your next door neighbour did, or you’d go to the beach. Here, you escape by going in to a shop. You can see why it’s an expensive city! But New York is amazing and I’m not complaining, I promise!”

Tim explains his Aussie background though, was key to preparing him for the great levels of success he’s seen.

“I had the best childhood, and loved every minute of growing up in Perth, opposite what they called ‘Maggie Park.’ Let me tell you, that made for interesting walks to school in the springtime! I’m sure that helped with confidence; if you can battle swooping magpies on the walk to school, you’re ready for the sharks in New York! And then going to high school at John Curtin in Freo was such a great experience and taught me so much about the industry.”

Little did Tim know though, the daily commute to school in Fremantle would eventually take him across the Nullarbor in 2003 to Sydney where he would gain an on-air position at Sydney’s number one FM radio station, before becoming one of Australia’s youngest and most respected executive producers for the Merrick & Rosso & Kate Ritchie radio show.

“Nova was such a great experience for me. At the time I was on-air, Nova was (rating) number one and there was so much buzz and excitement with the station only a couple of years old,” Tim recalls.

Being offered the role of executive producer for one of Australia’s biggest and most successful radio teams was no accident either, with the show regaining its number one status for its key audience under Tim’s direction.

“I think I just took a different approach to the role. I guess like any management position, your job is to motivate and encourage the best out of your team. And to have fun! When you’re having fun and enjoying your job, you’re so much more creative and productive. And I think we managed to do that; we had so much great feedback from listeners. And the ratings weren’t bad either!”

In the period Tim was at the helm, the Nova 96.9 breakfast show saw its highest market share in over three years, and came within just 0.5% of clinching the number one title back from 2day FM’s Kyle & Jackie O.

There’s definitely no stopping this Aussie, with interviews scheduled with Russell Brand, Helen Mirren and Jessica Alba in the next few weeks and the unlimited opportunities that only New York City can offer.

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