Jessica Ridley is a media commentator and former TV journalist regularly seen on Nine’s Today Show. Prior to this, she was on Channel 7’s Sunrise breakfast show as the Sydney News Reporter, also working on 7NEWS Australia across finance, real estate, consumer, health and entertainment news.

Having worked in Australia’s largest TV and radio newsrooms for more than a decade, Jessica has developed a reputation as a highly engaging and versatile journalist with solid skills in live television and breaking news. She’s covered major events including the COVID-19 pandemic, elections, floods, bushfires and high-profile court cases.

She has been afforded access to the most powerful players in Australian politics and business, regularly interviewing government policy makers and corporate decision makers.

More recently, Jessica has redirected her skills to training corporate spokespeople on how to deal with the media and share their unique stories through compelling video content and communications, through her company By The Way Media. Away from the spotlight, Jessica is a busy mum and passionately supports other women at the crossroads of parenthood and ambition. She’s enthusiastic about fitness, music, good food and good wine.

TALENT SERVICES

• Event Master of Ceremonies
• Discussion Panel Facilitator
• Keynote Speaker
• Corporate Video Presenter + Narrator
• Public Speaking and Media Coach
• Podcast Host
• Voiceover Artist
• Brand Partner

A word from Jess

I was the kind of child who could never stay quiet. Who sang constantly and was determinedly headed for Broadway. Yes, I even won the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts’ The Little Mermaid award for being able to speak underwater.

You might say my voice was my thing. And so, I became a radio and TV broadcaster.

For over a decade I told the stories of politicians, everyday heroes and celebrities—Katy Perry, Sarah Jessica Parker to name a few—for Sydney station 2GB and on the Seven Network’s news broadcasts and Sunrise morning show.

A typical day? Imagine a live cross from a raging bushfire, a Premier’s press conference, then a little red carpet schmoozing. I learned a million skills—how to listen well, write fast, and speak clearly. I was up at 3am, slapping on makeup en route to who knows where, armed with a bag brimming with hairspray, ear pieces and hand warmers.

TV got into my blood because it’s exhilarating, unpredictable and fast paced. Motherhood is too. I had my son Frank in 2020 and quickly realised there’s only so much running you can do from dawn to dusk, when you’re chasing a broadcasting career and a child at the same time.

It’s a similar story for so many women who find themselves at the tipping point of parenthood and ambition. Seeking a better balance is what propels many to start their own business. Just like me!

I founded By The Way Media a few years ago to help businesses be seen, be heard and be understood. I work with people who are looking for the confidence and clarity to share their unique stories.

I’ve always been a connector of the dots and a born networker who gets joy from bringing people together to do great things. That’s why I enjoy MCing events and moderating panel discussions. It keeps me on my toes and you never know who you might get to meet that day! I also get my live TV adrenaline fix as a weekly news commentator on Nine’s Today Show—and now I teach others how to nail their own media interviews.

Oh, and I still sing. Mostly to Frank (and once with The Wiggles for a 7NEWS story) but I’d love to take up musical theatre again. And if you ever come to my house, I might whip the pasta machine out and some homemade Limoncello.

Event Master of Ceremonies / Panel Facilitator

Events can be a large investment for any business. That’s why it’s crucial to have an MC or panel moderator who can read the room, improvise, keep the audience engaged and reflect your brand voice.

Jessica brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the stage. Hosting an array of events ranging from live broadcasts, awards nights and corporate roadshows, to business summits, red carpet meet-and-greet, social media live chats and fundraisers.

She consistently garners outstanding client feedback for her ability to seamlessly integrate all elements of an event. Her effortless coordination not only complements but also elevates the event’s mood and objectives. As a TV presenter, Jessica gracefully navigates the new world of online events, breaking down the virtual fourth wall to capture the audience’s attention and encourage them to participate.

Conversation Starters

What’s making news?

Do you wonder who dictates which stories are worth reporting, and why? Or how the news agenda has evolved over time? This lively and interactive discussion about the world of news explores these questions and more. We delve into what’s currently capturing the mainstream audience’s attention and how the news impacts society. We also consider strategies for anticipating the news cycle and defining your brand as a thought leader around a hot topic.

Communicating with Impact

Do you grapple with convincing others to take action on your ideas? How do you keep people engaged during a presentation? In this session we explore techniques to educate, engage and connect with your audience at a deeper level, speaking with authenticity and building trust in the process. You will gain the skills and confidence to be a more effective communicator in your professional and personal life.

Why real stories are your greatest assets

It’s all about that emotional hook. Content is far more impactful when told from someone’s lived experience. To effectively demonstrate your organisation’s human-centric approach, you need to share compelling narratives of those you’ve positively influenced, allowing their own words to highlight the impact. This session explores ways to bring data and facts to life through storytelling — ultimately helping you connect with the audience in a meaningful and authentic way.

Unlearning ‘urgency culture’ in an age of constant communication

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the constant demand for immediate responses in today’s workplace? Do you find yourself constantly checking emails, texts, and social media, even outside of work hours? In this session, Jessica shares her own lived experience working in adrenaline-fueled news journalism roles, where she was trained to stay on the infinite pulse of breaking news. She believed being constantly accessible and online made her a more productive and valuable worker, but it led to burnout, brain fog, and a lack of work-life boundaries. This timely discussion is about addressing urgency culture in the workplace and some of the strategies to correct bad habits, set technology boundaries, and protect our precious mental health.

As a working mother still seeking career balance, Jess frequently joins the dynamic conversation about the future of women in the workforce. She shares her personal career journey of taking risks and unlocking new opportunities after maternity leave, and is passionate about other young mothers being supported as they return to work. Sessions can run from 30-90 mins Select from one of our most popular topics. Or tell us about your topic idea and we can help you make it happen.

Presentation & Media Training

Having interviewed thousands of people over the years, Jessica has seen many a spokesperson bungle a rare media opportunity, usually due to a lack of confidence or being under-prepared. Jessica enjoys sharing her insights as a journalist to equip speakers with handy tools to be in control during a live or pre-recorded TV, radio or print interview. She works with CEOs and c-suite executives to equip them with the tools needed to effectively communicate with their teams, stakeholders and the media. Jessica is also sought after by PR professionals for her knowledge of the ever-changing media landscape and expertise in pitching to busy newsrooms.

Courses available through BTW Media include:

• The Dynamic Speaker
• The Dynamic Video Presenter
• ON AIR Media Training
• Thought Leadership and Visibility
• Broadcast Media Strategy Workshop

Collaborations

Jessica enjoys participating in authentic collaborations with businesses and organisations that resonate with her core values and interests. With a passion for business, technology, travel, creative arts, food and fitness, Jess welcomes opportunities to partner with brands in engaging ways:

• Customised content creation
• Video presentation + narration
• Sponsored travel and lifestyle features