Our History
We're celebrating our 30th year of helping businesses succeed and grow!
Business Essentials Media Production was established in 1984 by acclaimed journalist and broadcaster, the late Michael Schildberger who, together with the highly regarded economist Professor Neville Norman, had a vision to take high quality business information to a wider range of businesses than just the large corporate clients who could afford to pay for personal briefings.
Hence the birth of the monthly Business Essentials audio series - the first subscription-based audio business magazine in the world designed for small and medium-sized businesses. After a first attempt at offering the series in video, Michael and Neville quickly switched to audio. This was what the market told them was needed as a more convenient format for busy business people on the move. Often people would listen in the car.
For 30 years, the Business Essentials audio program has delivered succinct, practical and timely advice and tips to thousands of business operators. Subscribers have described this audio series as "inspirational", "invaluable" and "addictive". Many say their businesses have grown as a direct result of ideas and advice they've received from Business Essentials.
From the original audio cassette format, the Business Essentials audio program moved to CD and is now also available online.
Like most businesses over the years, the company has expanded, contracted and moved with the times. Business Essentials has had operations in the United States and in the UK. For a short while in the 90s, the business became a publicly listed company Infosentials, returning to its grass-roots expertise in audio and video production as the tech boom crashed. Recently, to re-emphasise its media production expertise, it has emerged from a friendly alliance under the Business Essentials banner to become Business Essentials Media Production Pty Ltd.
Clients over the years have included the major banks, insurance groups, accounting firms, software companies, building contractors, mining companies, medical colleges and pharmacy groups. We’ve helped Australia’s largest brands – and small businesses looking for greater recognition and growth.
Professor Neville Norman continues to deliver his valuable economic forecasts to Business Essentials members, and Michael's son, Nick Schildberger, is now Managing Director. The business supports a team of highly experienced journalists, producers and directors. This experience guarantees that every product we create lives up to Business Essentials Media Production's reputation for the highest quality standards, reliability, attention to detail and ability to deliver within budget every time.