Ben Glover Editor of wwos.com.au has a plan to deliver unparalleled Olympics coverage

Ben Glover joined Nine in 2018 as the Editor of wwos.com.au. He leads a dedicated team of 13 journalists and producers who work together to deliver high-quality sports stories. As the Olympics and Paralympics approach, Ben and his team are gearing up for an enormous undertaking, where a well-executed strategy and the ability to stay agile will be key. 

Crafting and executing the strategy through teamwork

In preparation for the games, wwos.com.au will transform into the ultimate hub for all things Olympics and Paralympics.  For the Paris Games, Nine holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for Australia, meaning the team has unlimited use of video footage, a significant component of online sports content. 

This has opened up a world of opportunities. The collaboration between 9Now, Australia’s leading live stream and video-on-demand platform, and www.wwos.com.au has been crucial in developing a seamless audience experience. By working together and thinking outside the box, they’ve crafted a content strategy that leverages the strengths of both platforms. 9Now will feature 40+ channels streaming live coverage and highlights, while wwos.com.au will support this with short-form videos and additional engaging content.

Crafting the strategy for the coverage has been a real team effort and execution will require a significant increase in resources. The team has been working closely with experts from all parts of the business to ensure they are ready for 24/7 coverage, including overnight rosters and non-stop news desks.

 “It’s been incredible to see everyone come together with one goal in mind, to deliver the best possible content to their audience”.   

Planning and execution

Ben will travel to Paris with our Olympics and Paralympics Games Reporter, Zachary Gates, and the Deputy Editor of nine.com.au, Tim Rose. The team has a comprehensive plan but is prepared to adapt on the fly. One of them will stay in the International Press Centre, the nerve centre of the action, while the others will cover events on the ground. This dynamic environment demands agility and the ability to pivot quickly, offering a learning experience like no other.

“As much as you can have a plan, you must be prepared to change and pivot. The best stories won’t necessarily be what happens in the pool or on the track or field— there could be protests outside an event or a controversial decision in a key game. Agility will be key. Be prepared for the unknown,” shares Ben.

Navigating the logistics of moving between venues to cover the action and dealing with potential language barriers, adds another layer of unpredictability. The team must be ready for these challenges, which will undoubtedly provide valuable lessons and insights.

Covering the Games live on the ground is a first for Ben and presents a fantastic career development opportunity. Unforeseen challenges are inevitable, but they provide valuable learning experiences. The team will gain firsthand knowledge and skills that can only be developed through lived experience.

Back to the Roots

The www.wwos.com.au team lives and breathes sports. The opportunity to work on the Olympics and Paralympics are career-defining events. Ben has been given autonomy to develop and execute the strategy and plan of attack for covering the games on wwos.com.au. He has built a strong team to ensure the coverage is a success and looks forward to being immersed in the action.

While in Paris, Ben will return to his roots as a journalist. Although his current role involves less hands-on journalism, this opportunity allows him to reconnect with his passion. He will be on the lookout for stories even when not officially working, embodying the spirit of a true journalist.