Anthony Maroon
Encyclopedia
Anthony Maroon is a Sydney (Australia) radio personality and was born in the same city. Maroon currently works at Classic Rock 95.3 FM (formerly Vega 95.3
) as a Breakfast presenter.
In late 1989, Maroon graduated from the well-known private Sydney radio school, Max Rowley's Media Academy Max Rowley
, and headed for his first on-air radio job at station 2NZ in Inverell, New South Wales.
At that time Maroon was still an extreme rookie, not knowing how to fly the station's on-air equipment, read commercials or project his voice in a professional manner.
An early influence on Maroon was another 2NZ announcer, New Zealand born Jason West, who later changed his name, completed a Journalism MA, and went to work as an Overseas Foreign Correspondent for the BBC World Service. West coached Anthony in several areas such as how to project personality, speaking 1-to-1 and the broadcast concept of 'just one listener'.
After West left 2NZ (referring to the station as a backward place to work and the town of Inverell as 'Inver-Hell'), Maroon soon followed. It was then late 1990.
Maroon landed a job doing drive (the early evening slot) at Goulburn station 2GN. From here he quickly progressed to the breakfast position and became one of the more popular of past 2GN breakfast hosts, being able to identify with a country audience that loved sport and the simpler things in life.
Maroon's third station was i98-FM in Wollongong, where he commenced back on the late evening shift (a shift he had not done since 2NZ days), but soon after progressed to the breakfast program. It was in Wollongong that Maroon became a TV figure, hosting the football program on the local channel, Win-TV.
A few years later, Maroon scored what he said back in 2NZ days would be his ultimate dream: 'to work back in Sydney, my home town - but work in radio'. After being offered a job doing late evenings at Sydney station 2MMM, he packed up his bags and quickly transferred his life back to Sydney.
In January 2008, after years of doing nights at 2MMM
, Maroon took on the role of anchor for the breakfast radio show, The Shebang
and commentator of Triple M's Monday Night Football alongside Phil Gould and Jimmy Smith. In 2010 Maroon now calls North Queensland Cowboys rugby league games on the weekend for 4TO in Townsville and SEAFM in Cairns.
It's been said by Maroon's agent, that his major strength is his ability to 'read an audience'. The BBC's Jason West remembers the young Maroon, stating that "Anthony was never the most intellectual, deep thinking guy, but he has a huge ability to instantly make friends, utilizing other people for the skills he needs to learn most - and then bravely using the new skills, whether really ready or not".
In hindsight, it is quite an achievement that Maroon has got to where he is, after working for only three stations (2NZ, 2GN and i98). Yet, apart from abilities already outlined, Maroon is the ideal Sydney radio personality type: Sydney is his native turf, his cousin Darren Maroon played for the Rabbitohs during the late 80s and early 90s and Anthony Maroon's background has been very much working class, the same people he talks to on a daily basis.
In December 2008, Maroon joined Vega 95.3
as a drive presenter after leaving Triple M
. He replaced Jason Stavely. He also hosts the post-game functions at the Stadium Australia Stadium Australia for the South Sydney Rabbitohs
.
Vega 95.3
95.3 FM is an Australian commercial radio station operated by DMG Radio Australia in Sydney.-History:In contrast to DMG's other Australian radio brand, the pop/rock Nova network, Classic Rock was originally positioned to target the baby boomer market of listeners in the 40 to 60 age bracket, with...
) as a Breakfast presenter.
In late 1989, Maroon graduated from the well-known private Sydney radio school, Max Rowley's Media Academy Max Rowley
Max Rowley
Max Rowley is a successful Australian media personality and radio broadcaster. He is currently the principal of his own radio and media training academy, The Max Rowley Media and Drama Academy.-Early career:...
, and headed for his first on-air radio job at station 2NZ in Inverell, New South Wales.
At that time Maroon was still an extreme rookie, not knowing how to fly the station's on-air equipment, read commercials or project his voice in a professional manner.
An early influence on Maroon was another 2NZ announcer, New Zealand born Jason West, who later changed his name, completed a Journalism MA, and went to work as an Overseas Foreign Correspondent for the BBC World Service. West coached Anthony in several areas such as how to project personality, speaking 1-to-1 and the broadcast concept of 'just one listener'.
After West left 2NZ (referring to the station as a backward place to work and the town of Inverell as 'Inver-Hell'), Maroon soon followed. It was then late 1990.
Maroon landed a job doing drive (the early evening slot) at Goulburn station 2GN. From here he quickly progressed to the breakfast position and became one of the more popular of past 2GN breakfast hosts, being able to identify with a country audience that loved sport and the simpler things in life.
Maroon's third station was i98-FM in Wollongong, where he commenced back on the late evening shift (a shift he had not done since 2NZ days), but soon after progressed to the breakfast program. It was in Wollongong that Maroon became a TV figure, hosting the football program on the local channel, Win-TV.
A few years later, Maroon scored what he said back in 2NZ days would be his ultimate dream: 'to work back in Sydney, my home town - but work in radio'. After being offered a job doing late evenings at Sydney station 2MMM, he packed up his bags and quickly transferred his life back to Sydney.
In January 2008, after years of doing nights at 2MMM
2MMM
2MMM is a radio station broadcasting in Sydney, Australia. Triple M Sydney is part of the Austereo Triple M network and broadcasts on the 104.9 MHz frequency.-The Early Days:...
, Maroon took on the role of anchor for the breakfast radio show, The Shebang
The Shebang
The Shebang was a radio show broadcast weekday mornings from 6am to 9am AEST in Sydney, Australia on 2MMM, the local Triple M outlet. It was hosted by Marty Sheargold, Fifi Box and Paul Murray with Anthony Maroon as the show anchor...
and commentator of Triple M's Monday Night Football alongside Phil Gould and Jimmy Smith. In 2010 Maroon now calls North Queensland Cowboys rugby league games on the weekend for 4TO in Townsville and SEAFM in Cairns.
It's been said by Maroon's agent, that his major strength is his ability to 'read an audience'. The BBC's Jason West remembers the young Maroon, stating that "Anthony was never the most intellectual, deep thinking guy, but he has a huge ability to instantly make friends, utilizing other people for the skills he needs to learn most - and then bravely using the new skills, whether really ready or not".
In hindsight, it is quite an achievement that Maroon has got to where he is, after working for only three stations (2NZ, 2GN and i98). Yet, apart from abilities already outlined, Maroon is the ideal Sydney radio personality type: Sydney is his native turf, his cousin Darren Maroon played for the Rabbitohs during the late 80s and early 90s and Anthony Maroon's background has been very much working class, the same people he talks to on a daily basis.
In December 2008, Maroon joined Vega 95.3
Vega 95.3
95.3 FM is an Australian commercial radio station operated by DMG Radio Australia in Sydney.-History:In contrast to DMG's other Australian radio brand, the pop/rock Nova network, Classic Rock was originally positioned to target the baby boomer market of listeners in the 40 to 60 age bracket, with...
as a drive presenter after leaving Triple M
Triple M
The Triple M Network is an active rock radio network in Australia owned by media company Austereo, who also own the Today Network.- History :...
. He replaced Jason Stavely. He also hosts the post-game functions at the Stadium Australia Stadium Australia for the South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
.
- Maroon is married to Christine, and has two children.