In 2018, what defines a globally successful comedian? A sold-out festival show? An Edinburgh Comedy Award? A Barry Award? Millions of YouTube hits? A chart-topping podcast? A Netflix special?
For this conversation, we’re bringing together panellists from across the comedy business and across the globe. They’ll discuss how the barometer for success in comedy differs across local scenes and cultures. Talking sponsorship, streaming, self-publishing and critical versus popular acclaim – our panel of industry heavies will share their views and insights on the changing nature of comedy.
How do ideas about the longevity of material vary from one country to the next? And why do different comic voices, and comic cultures, suit different platforms?
With Geraldine Hickey, Phil Wang, Sorabh Pant and Zach Ruane. Hosted by Jodi Crocker.
Presented in partnership with Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Featuring
Geraldine Hickey
With an unselfconscious charm and a superb skill for finding the funny in true stories Geraldine Hickey has been described as a ‘deceptively cheery dame who'll quietly take out your innards.’ She is revered in the industry as a comedian’s comedian and has been shortlisted for the ‘Piece of Wood’ award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival multiple times. A veteran of many seasons of The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, she is also a regular on the club and pub circuit around the country.
In 2011 she teamed up with Kate McLennan and Anne Edmonds to host the weekly AFL themed podcast ‘The Downlow’. Melbourne Community station Triple R loved it so much they gave the girls their own sports themed show on Sunday afternoons, it soon became one of the stations most popular shows and resulted in Geraldine becoming a co-host on Breakfasters which is where you can now hear her every morning.
Jodi Crocker
After almost 20 years in public relations, Jodi founded Social Set Media in June 2017 after seven years at, arguably, the biggest show in town – Crown – where she was Head of Media Relations and Social Media for the non-gaming portfolio in both Melbourne and Perth.
Combined with ten years as a freelance public relations professional specialising in arts and entertainment – theatre, film, comedy and venues – some of the clients Jodi represents across multiple industries include the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Atlantic Group, George Calombaris’ MAdE Establishment and a range of reputable chefs including Raymond Capaldi and Donovan Cooke, prominent Red Hill Wineries including Montalto and Tuck’s Ridge, the iconic Riewoldt family charity and events for Maddie’s Vision.
At Crown, Jodi's portfolio included over 340 events, entertainment, 45 restaurants and bars, six hotels, three spas, dozens of brand ambassadors and the management of multiple social media platforms. Events included the Logies, Australian Open, Grand Prix, Brownlow, AB Medal, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and Spring Racing Carnival.
She was an integral part to the launch of both Heston Blumenthal’s restaurants, David Thompson’s Long Chim, Johnny Di Francesco’s Gradi and Bludso’s BBQ from Los Angeles. Her responsibility included delivery of global media relations and social media strategies plus the management of ambassador roles including Usain Bolt, Danny Green, Li Na, Jesinta Campbell, Melbourne Storm and Sydney Rabittohs.
Phil Wang
Phil Wang is a son of the British Empire. But in a world intent on building walls and bolstering borders, what is a Commonwealth man to do? Some blistering new comedy gold – that’s what. As a Malaysian-born son of Chinese and British parents ...
Sorabh Pant
Sorabh Pant is one of India’s best loved and most travelled comedians – with over 1000 shows in 60 cities across 15 countries – though he does it only for the frequent flyer miles. He’s a comedian, an author and a full-time Vinod Kambli impersonator.
He's best known for his incredible energy and overt expressiveness – don’t worry, these are good things – which make him a corporate favourite. He’s done 300+ corporate shows with a clean version of his comedy that appeals across all boundaries – and helps feed his wife and son.
He’s also opened for Wayne Brady and Rob Schneider, whose official statements were that their drinks were spiked. He has also terrorised children and adults alike on TV, with shows on Pogo, Star World, CNBC, ET Now and others. Aside from this, Sorabh is also the author – yes, he can read and write – of the novels The Wednesday Soul, Under Delhi and a forthcoming mythology/history novel.