Steve McKenna

Versatile media professional and communication expert with a comprehensive background in marketing, journalism, content creation, event management, communication training, television, radio and podcast broadcasting. Renowned for engaging and educating audiences, adept in project management and leading large teams. Excels at creating diverse, high-quality content for various platforms.

McKenna Media Group Ltd (2003 until present)

• Oversee operations across three divisions: Live Events, Communication Training, and Digital and New Media Creation.
• Lead projects, foster client relationships, and ensure the seamless execution of events, content production and training programmes.
• Plan and host live events ranging from international sporting events and festivals to conferences and award ceremonies.
• Provide communication training that includes keynote speaking, emotional intelligence and language structure.
• Deliver digital and new media creation, mainly for social media platforms, ranging from a single post to in-depth on-location filming.

Television:

• The Ice Cream Van (BBC Scotland 1992): Presenter of continuity links on location for BBC Scotland Children’s opt-out.
• MegaMag (BBC Scotland 1993 until 94): Presenter Children’s magazine programme.
• FOT (False Or True) (BBC2, 1993 until 96): Co-hosted this interactive children's show, engaging viewers in discerning the authenticity of bizarre stories.
• Nicky Campbell Show (BBC Scotland 1995): Researcher and booker for guests and performers.
• Liquid News (BBC, 2000 until 2002): Reporter, guest and occasional guest host of the cult show that provided a daily entertainment news round-up. 
• The Movie Chart Show (Channel 5, 2001 until 2002): Hosted, wrote and directed this film criticism series, providing insights on film news, reviews, previews, interviews, and competitions.
• Exclusive (Channel 5, 2001): Regularly contributed to this show, featuring the latest showbiz, celebrity gossip, and interviews.
• Lorraine (Sky 1 2001 until 2002): Reported, wrote and directed showbiz features.
• The Wright Stuff (Channel 5, 2002): Guest host and talking head in this daytime show, discussing various topics from current affairs to social and emotional issues.
• RI:SE (Channel 4, 2002): Participated in this early morning breakfast show, providing entertainment, news, and sport.
• Can't Get Enough... (BBC2, 2002): Co-hosted a series of science specials examining the impact of entertainment technology on our lives, with episodes focusing on Music, Television, and Video Games.
• Entertainment Tonight (SKY 1, 2003): Co-hosted and wrote the UK version of the popular American TV entertainment show.
• Tonight’s The Night (BBC 1, 2009 until 2011): Live studio announcer for the hit BBC Saturday night primetime show.
• All Over The Place (CBBC, 2011 until 2018): Voice actor and script consultant for the long-running BAFTA-nominated children’s entertainment show.

Radio Career:

• Trainee reporter (BBC Radio Scotland 1991 until 1994) – Trained in radio journalism skills under the tutelage and direction of Executive Producer of Entertainment Stewart Cruickshank and Head of News and Current Affairs for BBC Radio Scotland, Stewart Easton.
• Eddie Mair Live (BBC Radio Scotland, Reporter, 1992 until 1995): delivered compelling reports and insights on current events as a reporter and ‘zoo guest’.
• Earshot (BBC Radio 5, Host, 1992 until 1994): Worked initially as a reporter and then as the presenter. Compiling and leading the programming for this popular magazine programme.
• Entertainment Superhighway (BBC Radio 5, Turbo Critic, 1995 until 1996): Travelled the entirety of the UK and some European cities to provide live reviews of the arts and entertainment.
• Newsbeat (BBC Radio 1, Senior Broadcast Journalist, 1997 until 2001): Retrained as a multimedia journalist and providing entertainment news reports for radio, television and online. Promoted from Broadcast Journalist to Senior Broadcast Journalist and finally acting Editor Radio 1, 2 and 5 live Entertainment News in four years.
• XFM London (Host, 2003): Weekend Breakfast Show host at a time when Ricky Gervais, Zoe Ball and Jimmy Carr were on the station.
• Real Radio Scotland (Host, 2004 until 2014): Hosted a variety of shows, becoming the most popular show in each time slot in the station’s TSA (transmission service area) and frequently in the competitors’ TSA. Produced content for six shows per week for over a decade.
• Heart Radio Scotland (Host, 2014 until 2017): Led station programming with a mix of music, entertainment, and talk, holding a loyal listener base.

Print Journalism:

• Freelance Reviewer (Sounds, NME, The Guardian, 1991 until 1996): Crafted insightful reviews and articles for various influential music and culture publications.
• Columnist (Sunday Mail, 1999 until 2001): Penned a popular column that touched on current events, cultural trends, and personal insights.
• Columnist (Daily Record, 2001 until 2004): Provided regular content for this national newspaper, offering humorous commentary and perspectives on a variety of topics.

Other Work:

• Scottish Bands Agency (1988 until 1991): Founded the Scottish Bands Agency, boosting grassroots music in Scotland with 1,000+ member artists.
• Offered a range of services: advice line, booking management, song copywriting, and business discounts.
• Became a nationally recognised organisation within a year, helping bands like Teenage Fanclub and The Vaselines sign international contracts.
• Euro RSCG/KLP (1994 until 1997): Marketing Manager working on various music-related projects, including Creamfields, The Spice Girls, and Tennent’s Live /TITP. Devised national and global marketing and sponsorship strategies. 

Interesting facts: 

Attained a Doctorate in Metaphysics at an early age and has since studied the more practical topic of Neuroscience.

Released two songs, both of which entered the Scottish top 20, with one entering the UK top fifty.

Trustee of domestic abuse charity Rebuilding Lives UK

Introduced Shirley Manson to Butch Vig to form the band Garbage.

Following his daughter's diagnosis, discovered late in life that he has ADHD.

Awarded best business event organiser in the UK two years in a row (2021 until 22).

Was the only UK broadcast journalist covering Cuba’s first rock gig.

Introduced Quentin Tarantino to haggis. 

Wrote comedy for Radio 4 with Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill.