Fremantle Press appoints audio production assistant for audiobook pilot

Tim Scott joins Fremantle Press to work on an audiobook pilot and new podcasts, in a role funded by a Minderoo Foundation grant. More on the planned imprint is due in 2027.

Fremantle Press has appointed Tim Scott as its audio production assistant, a new role that will help the publisher develop an audiobook pilot and a series of podcasts. The appointment was announced in October 2026.

Chief executive Alex Allan said the position was made possible by a capacity building grant from Minderoo Foundation. The grant also pays for training and mentoring, extra equipment, and both professional and emerging voice actors. More than 50 people applied, from recent graduates to producers with decades of experience. Allan said the press wanted someone keen to learn, who loved stories and had "the desire to take sound quality to the next level".

Scott recently completed a Bachelor of Creative Media at Murdoch University, majoring in sound design. While studying he worked in event management, retail and hospitality, including managing a 400-person venue. Since mid-2023 he has volunteered as stage manager and artist liaison for Hyper, a youth festival in Midland.

He is based at the SEC Substation at 10 Parry Street, the press's first permanent home. A new podcast room there has microphones, recording equipment, a large screen and a dedicated laptop, installed as part of an IT upgrade by supporters Stott Hoare in partnership with Microsoft.

The audiobook pilot will focus on accessibility and education, with the aim of bringing local stories and cultural heritage to more listeners. Fremantle Press says it will release more detail on the pilot and the audiobook imprint in 2027.