40 Years of Media Innovation: Mal Fletcher Honoured with Legacy Award
Futurist, thought leader, innovator and social commentator: these are some of the many roles Mal Fletcher has filled in his 40-plus years of work in the media industry.
On Tuesday, 24th September CMAA honoured Mal’s incredible contribution the the media landscape with a Legacy Award: Enduring Impact, Media.
Mal is best known today for his expertise on emerging technology, social issues, and generational change. But his journey in leadership began in youth ministry, back in the 1980s, when he was the national head of the Christian youth organisation, Youth Alive Australia.
During this time, Mal’s innovative approach to reaching young people, went beyond traditional methods. He created numerous radio spots, better known as "Godspots," which were played across Australia and eventually in Europe. With catchy pop jingles and thought-provoking messages, these spots resonated with young people and helped establish Mal as a rising voice in youth culture.
Mal’s impact then expanded, as he ventured into TV and radio interviews, becoming a respected voice on youth issues.
In the 1990s Mal moved to Europe and from there he embarked on a groundbreaking project – producing the award-winning magazine documentaries known as Edges.
This series of 90 programs, over 10 years, explored a wide range of social issues - from environmental challenges to emerging technologies. The documentaries reached both mainstream and Christian audiences, in more than 100 nations… and cemented Mal’s reputation as a Christian thought leader, and media innovator.
In the early 2000s, Mal began to appear on BBC TV and radio, as a futurist and social commentator. Over time, he became a sought-after voice with mainstream media outlets around the world - anticipating future trends, and their implications.
Mal sees this work as a form of missions - presenting Christian perspectives on current issues.
One of Mal’s major recent projects was the the PersecutionTV and radio special, which aired at the height of the Syrian war, highlighting the plight of Christians in the Middle East. The impact of this program was far-reaching … raising the call for international action.
In more recent years, Mal has continued to explore social change, generations, and technology ethics, through his ‘2030-Plus-TV’ initiative, with a Youtube channel featuring videos delving into the complex issues around AI.
Mal Fletcher's legacy as a media innovator, and futurist, is significant. He has informed and inspired countless individuals, challenging them to think critically about the world around them – and to work towards a better future.
We are honoured to present him with his Legacy Award.