Peter Freedman AM is the self-made billionaire maverick behind one of Australia’s greatest manufacturing success stories.
As the Founder and Chairman of RØDE Microphones, he turned a near-bankrupt family electronics business in 1987 into a global powerhouse—now exporting to over 120 countries, manufacturing everything in Sydney, and used by the world’s leading content creators, filmmakers, musicians, and broadcasters.
Bold, driven, and obsessively hands-on, Peter is more than a tech entrepreneur—he’s a fierce advocate for Australian manufacturing, design excellence, and innovation on home soil.
He famously reverse-engineered his first microphone in 1990, and never looked back—building vertically integrated factories filled with robots, launching revolutionary products like the VideoMic and RØDECaster, and acquiring global brands like Mackie, Lectrosonics, Aphex and SoundField under the Freedman Group.
Awarded Member of the Order of Australia in 2016, and named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014, Peter is as well known for his philanthropy as he is for his products—donating millions to arts, mental health, and design, including a record-breaking purchase of Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged guitar, which he turned into cultural capital for Australia.
Blunt, brilliant, and deeply committed to legacy, he’s said:
“I’m not a capitalist. I just love winning.”
This is a story of grit, reinvention, and building global greatness—out of a suburban factory in Sydney.
Founder & Host | Rob Langton
#ausbiz #billionaire #richlist #businessnews #businessaustralia #businessau #rode #peterfreedman #rodemicrophones #theinterviewau #theinterview #readymedia
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Peter Freedman AM is the self-made billionaire maverick behind one of Australia’s greatest manufacturing success stories.
As the Founder and Chairman of RØDE Microphones, he turned a near-bankrupt family electronics business in 1987 into a global powerhouse—now exporting to over 120 countries, manufacturing everything in Sydney, and used by the world’s leading content creators, filmmakers, musicians, and broadcasters.
Bold, driven, and obsessively hands-on, Peter is more than a tech entrepreneur—he’s a fierce advocate for Australian manufacturing, design excellence, and innovation on home soil.
He famously reverse-engineered his first microphone in 1990, and never looked back—building vertically integrated factories filled with robots, launching revolutionary products like the VideoMic and RØDECaster, and acquiring global brands like Mackie, Lectrosonics, Aphex and SoundField under the Freedman Group.
Awarded Member of the Order of Australia in 2016, and named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014, Peter is as well known for his philanthropy as he is for his products—donating millions to arts, mental health, and design, including a record-breaking purchase of Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged guitar, which he turned into cultural capital for Australia.
Blunt, brilliant, and deeply committed to legacy, he’s said:
“I’m not a capitalist. I just love winning.”
This is a story of grit, reinvention, and building global greatness—out of a suburban factory in Sydney.
Founder & Host | Rob Langton
#ausbiz #billionaire #richlist #businessnews #businessaustralia #businessau #rode #peterfreedman #rodemicrophones #theinterviewau #theinterview #readymedia
Joining our program on this episode is prolific entrepreneur Jamie Pherous - Founder & Managing Director of Corporate Travel Management.
Launched in 1994 as a start-up with just two personnel, Corporate Travel Management (CTM) has since grown to become one of Australia’s largest home-grown business success stories.
As of May 2024, the firm boasts a market capitalisation in excess of $2.2bn, revenues exceeding $500m per year and some 3,000 staff stationed across the World including in Europe, North America & Asia.
In this exclusive interview, Jamie unpacks his background, the launch and evolution of CTM, the fundamentals required for delivering sustained success & the opportunities and challenges he’s encountered across a corporate career spanning more than three decades.
Proudly produced and distributed exclusively by Ready Media Group.
Hosted by Rob Langton.
The Interview Australia
Peter Freedman AM is the self-made billionaire maverick behind one of Australia’s greatest manufacturing success stories.
As the Founder and Chairman of RØDE Microphones, he turned a near-bankrupt family electronics business in 1987 into a global powerhouse—now exporting to over 120 countries, manufacturing everything in Sydney, and used by the world’s leading content creators, filmmakers, musicians, and broadcasters.
Bold, driven, and obsessively hands-on, Peter is more than a tech entrepreneur—he’s a fierce advocate for Australian manufacturing, design excellence, and innovation on home soil.
He famously reverse-engineered his first microphone in 1990, and never looked back—building vertically integrated factories filled with robots, launching revolutionary products like the VideoMic and RØDECaster, and acquiring global brands like Mackie, Lectrosonics, Aphex and SoundField under the Freedman Group.
Awarded Member of the Order of Australia in 2016, and named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014, Peter is as well known for his philanthropy as he is for his products—donating millions to arts, mental health, and design, including a record-breaking purchase of Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged guitar, which he turned into cultural capital for Australia.
Blunt, brilliant, and deeply committed to legacy, he’s said:
“I’m not a capitalist. I just love winning.”
This is a story of grit, reinvention, and building global greatness—out of a suburban factory in Sydney.
Founder & Host | Rob Langton
#ausbiz #billionaire #richlist #businessnews #businessaustralia #businessau #rode #peterfreedman #rodemicrophones #theinterviewau #theinterview #readymedia
