International Women’s Day 2024: SVG Europe Spotlights Emerging Leaders in the Sports Production Industry
Story Highlights
From producers and directors to audio technicians and operations leads, diversity in the sports production industry is trending in a better direction. On this International Women’s Day, SVG Europe’s Heather McLean spotlights key women executives, technicians, and even apprentices who are making a major impact on the live sports production industry today.
Ruck, maul, tackle: Facing the challenges of sports broadcasting with head of broadcast partnerships at Six Nations Rugby Siobhan McCartan
“Live sport is exciting and so interesting,” says head of broadcast partnerships at Six Nations Rugby, Siobhan McCartan. “The challenges are endless and it’s impossible to be bored! Seeing the final products come to life is very satisfying.”
Forefront of AV: Bringing live sport to global screens with Mediapro UHD HDR OB technical manager Carmen Hernandez
Carmen Hernandez is a UHD HDR OB technical manager for Mediapro. Based in Spain, she works across LaLiga, UEFA sports competitions, Euroleague basketball and a range of entertainment programmes. Here she gives an insight into her career.
Team player: Picking sparring partners and mentors with Sky Deutschland’s director of inhouse operations Louisa von Lenthe
To women thinking of moving into sports broadcasting or pushing forwards in their careers, Louisa von Lenthe, director of inhouse operations at Sky Deutschland, says: “Just do it! Take one step at a time, watch and learn from others and find people who you can really trust.”
Changing times: Considering evolving views on gender in sports broadcasting with head of venue management at HBS Birgit Schiller
Sports broadcasting is still a male dominated industry, but times are changing according to Birgit Schiller, head of venue management at HBS, who is also responsible for overseeing various events as a project director. Here we look at Schiller’s career path.
Stepping Stones: Senior broadcast venue manager at HBS Elizaveta Vorontsova talks learning on the job
Elizaveta Vorontsova, HBS senior broadcast venue manager, has been working in sports broadcasting since 2018 when she was able to work on the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Her story is part of SVG Europe’s Stepping Stones series, showcasing young female talent.
South Africa to the UK: Whisper account director Elma Smit on a career in sports broadcasting that spans continents
Elma Smit, account director and currently providing short term cover as business development lead at independent production company, Whisper, is a producer and presenter from South Africa.
Stepping Stones: Taking audio to the next level with sound engineer Deepali Mistry
Deepali Mistry, freelance sound engineer, has aspirations to work in audio design and immersive sound while still jetsetting around the world. Her story is part of our series of Stepping Stones articles, which showcase young women moving up the ladder.
In the mix: Andria Sjøberg, freelance broadcast sound engineer on her love of making audio for live sport
“Since moving into live sport I really found it’s my absolute favourite area to work in out of everything I’ve done over the years,” says Andria Sjøberg, freelance broadcast sound engineer. “I like the fast-paced nature and that every job presents new challenges.”
Making music: Moving from the Royal Marines to a career in sports broadcasting audio with Sophie Lambert
Sophie Lambert is a former Royal Marine musician turned sports broadcasting sound engineer. She runs a business with her husband – the pair are both freelance sound engineers – and they often get to work together on the same jobs.
Electric sound: Freelance sound supervisor and grams operator Heather Winn talks challenges and problem solving
“The atmosphere at sporting events is usually electric, and even working remotely is exciting as you never really know what is going to happen next,” enthuses freelance sound supervisor and grams operator, Heather Winn on her career in sports broadcasting audio.
Stepping Stones: Laying the base of a broadcast production with EMG Netherlands’ rigger, Cheyenne Broerze
Cheyenne Broerze is a rigger at EMG Netherlands. She loves how her role has opened up opportunities to travel and learn. Her article is part of SVG Europe’s Stepping Stones series, which aims to bring women at the beginning of their careers in sports broadcasting into the spotlight.
Stepping Stones: Premier League Productions trainee camera operator Ellie Jordan talks variety and travel opportunities in sports
Ellie Jordan, trainee camera operator for Premier League Productions at IMG, is already addicted to the buzz of covering sport, despite the nerves that working on a live studio production brings. This article is part of SVG Europe’s Stepping Stones series.
Enjoy the journey: Shining a torch on Warner Bros. Discovery Sports’ senior director Laura Aira
“Every day is different in the world of sport; it’s unscripted and unpredictable,” says Laura Aira, senior director, production at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports. Sport is the epitome of hard work and dedication; it shines a torch on the fact that improvement comes with practice and effort and that competition can encourage a higher standard of achievement for all.”
Like many, Katarzyna Humska’s career was interrupted by the COVID pandemic but, undeterred, she is now back on track, loving life and her job working as a production manager with Host Broadcast Services (HBS) on the live broadcast of some of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Hazel DeAyr, freelance sound assistant, is based in Glasgow, Scotland. She has navigated her way from music production to hitting the road as an audio assistant on OBs, and has great ambitions for her future career in sound.
“I always knew I wanted to work in the entertainment industry, but when I was younger, I envisaged a career path in movies or drama as that is what I loved watching the most,” says Kate Andrews, producer at Aurora Media Worldwide.
Grace Binnie, junior production manager at Sunset+Vine, started her journey towards sports broadcasting as a child in Athens watching the athletics at the 2004 Olympic Games. That moment inspired her, and today she is powering along the live production career path.
Stepping Stones: Whisper assistant producer Esme Simcox talks passion for all things motorsport
Esme Simcox is an assistant producer at the production company Whisper. She is passionate about sport and her career has taken her deep into the world of motorsport with Formula 1 and Formula E. Her article is part of our Stepping Stones series which aims to bring women at the beginning of their careers in sports broadcasting into the spotlight.
Kate Parry is junior director for European Tour Productions at IMG. She has already achieved greatness, becoming the first woman to direct the DP World Tour world feed. Read on to find out more.
Hannah McNally, production manager at Whisper, talks us through how she got a job in sports broadcasting, shares what she enjoys most, and highlights the challenges she has faced (and overcome) during the course of her career.
Stepping Stones: Getting into MotoGP with Dorna Sports’ media facilities executive Victoria Jaraíz
As part of our Stepping Stones series, showcasing young female talent in sports broadcasting, we talk to Victoria Jaraíz, Dorna Sports’ media facilities executive, media rights Dorna Group. Jaraíz talks about the twists and turns of her career so far and of those to come.
Stepping Stones: Taking audio to the next level with freelance sound engineer Deepali Mistry
Deepali Mistry, freelance sound engineer, has aspirations to work in audio design and immersive sound while still jetsetting around the world. Her story is part of our series of Stepping Stones articles, which showcase young women moving up the ladder behind the camera in sports broadcasting.
Floor Wouters is a unit manager at NEP UK. Her career has taken her from social work in inner-city London to sports broadcasting OBs, and she has witnessed a lot along the way. We take a look at how she is progressing while challenging bullying and sexism.
Stepping Stones: Behind the lens with NFTS and QTV multi-camera trainee Phoebe Pearson
Phoebe Pearson is right at the beginning of her career in sports broadcasting. She is a multi-camera trainee at the National Film and Television School, through which she is currently working with independent OB company QTV in Scotland.
Cheyenne Broerze is a rigger at EMG Netherlands. She loves how her role has opened up opportunities to travel and learn. Her article is part of our Stepping Stones series which aims to bring women at the beginning of their careers in sports broadcasting into the spotlight.
