Katie Toney is a well known media personality based on the Sunshine Coast, and has had a strong passion for news and current affairs all her life, particuarly focusing on what’s happening in regional areas. Katie and her husband have now set up a side hustle – Colour Bars Media – so that they can teach others how to communicate on camera and get the most out of their videos.
Katie, tell us a little bit about you and how you got started…

I’m a journalist by trade and have worked for the 7 Network for 12 years. I write and present an online news bulletin for our regional Facebook pages and I also backfill for the 6pm news on television. I’ve worked across regional Queensland and love local news. I’m particularly passionate about agriculture, and the success of regional economies and I think the local news is crucial in celebrating and promoting the success of our community. I’m a graduate of USC and won the Alumni of the Year Award for regional achievement in 2016 and now I guest lecture there whenever I can. My husband (who is a news cameraman for Channel 9) and I have just started our own business Colour Bars Media – which offers media training to small business.

What is your greatest achievement in life to date?

It’s probably the expected answer but watching my kids learn and grow into their own little personalities is such a privilege and a joy. Our eldest Fletcher is in grade 1 and Grace is at kindy. When they learn to spell a new word or master a new book I’m reminded of how special this time is and how important it is to raise well rounded, kind and generous children.

What made you pick a career in the Media? And tell us how your career has evolved in the Media?

Growing up on a farm near Gympie we always had a buzz of local news in the house. ABC radio in the mornings, 7 Local News at night, a subscription to The Country Life and on weekends … Landline. I was brought up to know what was going on in the world and to be a critical thinker. Perhaps asking questions was what led me to journalism! However it’s a totally different industry today than what it was a decade ago. The principals are the same and the news values don’t change but how we gather and distribute the news has changed massively with social media. We’re now looking for great stories that won’t just be of interest to our television audience but will be of interest to our digital followers.

How important is it to focus on video and presentation when building a business in today’s world ?

Being able to communicate on camera is crucial. Unlike just a photo or a written brief on your business, a video gives the customer a glimpse into your world.. if you can show your clients how excited you are when talking about your business it’s more likely you’ll have a better connection with your customers.

You will have reported and told the story about lots of interesting people and news items – what are some of the ones that stand out and why?

I find the most fulfilling stories are always those that come about after a disaster or after a terrible event. I’ve interviewed dozens of farmers who’ve suffered damage worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, lost crops, had machines destroyed etc and yet they replant and prepare for the next season. I think our agriculture industry is such an example of innovation, resilience and positivity in the worst of times. I think we could learn a lot from our farmers.

You’ve now set up your new business as a side hustle. What has led to this and what are you setting out to achieve?

We were noticing a lot of small business owners were doing some really incredible, innovative and impressive things in our region but were either too unsure or perhaps too scared to call a journalist. I want to break down some myths about how people think the news operates and show them exactly how to make a successful pitch to newsrooms. There’s such a great opportunity for regional businesses in particular to have a great relationship with local newsrooms. After all it benefits everyone.

Where to next for Katie – what’s next on the horizon?

I really want to spend the next year getting the word out for our business, speaking at events and teaching people about how the news operates. Like any working mums though, that all comes with a heavy load of making lunches, school assembly, homework and not forgetting when the free dress day is!

How do you relax?

After everyone goes to bed I’ll make a cup of tea, get out the stash of chocolate I’ve hidden and settle in to watch whatever is on TV.

What mantra do you live by?

It’s not a succinct quote exactly, but I learned a long time ago there’s no ‘perfect’ time to do anything, so stop waiting and just do it.

What book are you currently reading?

I’m between reads at the moment. I interviewed William McInnes for a Sunshine Coast Libraries Event recently so to prep for that I read his new book ‘Fatherhood’ which was very very clever and funny. And I’m about to start a book called ‘Scrublands’ which is a crime novel set it rural Australia. I love stories about the outback – fact or fiction.

To check out more on Katie and Colour Bars Media – head to the following website:
www.colourbarsmedia.com.au

or Facebook
@ColourBarsMediaAustralia