Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) has named its 20 internal “innovation champions”.

The roster, hand picked across 13 offices, will lead its innovation incubator, The Lab, which aims to support staff to develop ideas to implement across the business. They will mentor employees as they test proposals and provide development support.

“We are looking to increasingly make innovation part of SCA’s DNA and the ongoing development of The Lab project is a fundamental part of that. Our innovation champions have been selected based on their active participation in The Lab, and their clear passion for innovation and new ways of thinking,” said SCA CEO, Grant Blackley.

“It’s great to have such a diverse mix of champions from across the business and at different levels of the organisation - I’m confident this new network will really help to drive engagement in The Lab initiative.”

The Innovation Champions are: 

• Emma Barbato – Digital Marketing Specialist – Gosford
• Matt Bartlett – Head of Commercial – Melbourne
• Jack Bingham – Digital Content Producer – Newcastle
• Shane Bromilow – Regional Sales Manager – Busselton
• Mitch Byatt – Campaign Ideas Manager – Sydney
• Daniel Carmichael – Creative Writer – Gold Coast
• Taylor Casu – Research Analyst – Brisbane
• Matt Dickson – National Head of Creativity – Perth
• Tammy Dobrow – Account Manager - Sydney
• Inger Flathaug – Campaign Ideas Manager – Gold Coast
• Shaun Gough – Triple M Content Manager – Melbourne
• Benuo Hamera – Program Coordinator - Canberra
• Lara McLaren – Brand Assets Director – Melbourne
• Jeanna Manifold – Head of Studio – Brisbane
• Cameron Marlowe - Campaign Creative Director – Adelaide
• Scott Menz – Content Director Triple M - Brisbane
• Sam Morrison – Audio Production Triple M – Adelaide
• Cat Pegoraro – Promotions Coordinator – Townsville
• Breeana Russell – Senior Tactics Coordinator – Hobart
• Leigh Ryan – Announcer – Wagga Wagga 

The Lab at SCA has also launched a contest internally, with ambassadors Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little calling for entries. The first initiative launched out of The Lab earlier this year was The Papa Project, creating a safe place for men to come together and share the trials and tribulations of fatherhood.

The latest contest is more commercially focused: It will focus on how SCA can deliver greater return on investment to clients.

Shortlisted ideas will be presented to the SCA Leadership Group in the coming months.