Managing Director, KOJO
Leadership 21
Melbourne Business School, 2013

With a creative streak embedded in his blood, Dale Roberts cracked the formidable US film industry with his first Hollywood feature at age 24. Now, he heads a creative studio with 120 full-time staff across six offices in two countries producing premium entertainment, marketing, sport, and event experiences. With three businesses under the KOJO umbrella; KOJO Creative, KOJO Studios and KOJO Sport, its illustrious client-base includes Netflix, Cricket Australia, BMW, and Warner Bros.

Jumping into the deep end
“Growing up I was always the creative one in my friendship group; I loved filmmaking, cameras, editing, and creating stories that let my imagination run free. My Dad bought a Super 8 movie camera when I was five-years-old for a holiday to Bali, he had one rule, nobody touches the camera except him! Of course, I ignored that rule and promptly picked up the camera and started filming him eating a hamburger. I’ve been hooked ever since.

In 1996 I bought my shares in KOJO at the ripe old age of 22 to start the editing and post-production part of the business. Along with my business partner Marty Pepper, we set about building our skills, services, and network to break into the US film studio industry with our first Hollywood feature being Snow Falling on Cedars in 1998. Over the next 15 years, I was editing, producing and running our thriving post-production business, but that all changed when company co-founder John Chattaway passed away and our then CEO decided to depart the business. At a board meeting the following month I was given the role of CEO. I literally wrapped up in the edit suite on a Friday afternoon and then on the following Monday morning, I took over a business that had 60 staff in two states. To say I wasn’t prepared is an understatement.

Be yourself, be honest,  be a sponge
The first few weeks of my new role were pretty overwhelming as the scale of what I had taken on with limited experience really sank in. I quickly surrounded myself with mentors who provide me with incredible support and guidance as I navigated the daily challenges. My wife Shelley, in particular, was a pillar of strength and support: “be yourself, be honest and be a sponge, sucking up any learning you can” was some candid advice she gave me early on. I quickly realised I needed to educate myself with courses and programs to fast-track my strategic, commercial, and operational knowledge.

I spoke with Geoff Vogt at the Industry Leaders Fund and we quickly connected on the opportunities that the ILF could provide, in particular, the Leadership 21 Owner/Manager course run by Melbourne Business School. I went through the ILF selection process and was fortunate enough to be awarded my grant for 2013; a first for a creative industry leader. Through the Leadership 21 course, I met some great people who were in similar situations to me. Fortunately that year there were enough Adelaide-based people to complete the curriculum in our home town which reduced the time away from our businesses. I found the program to be a great combination of group learning, case studies, lectures, and personal feedback. I loved being part of alumni that connected right from the start and were open and honest about their roles and businesses.  

Fast forward
It’s now almost 10 years since my Leadership 21 course and my ILF experience. KOJO has grown considerably since then and now has 120 full-time staff across six offices in two countries. We continue to expand the services we offer clients around the world across film, TV, digital, events, strategy, and sport.

Like many businesses who have been around for over 30 years, we have had our ups and downs, with COVID being the biggest down of them all. With no sport, film production or live events, we were hit hard and very early as the pandemic first took hold in Australia. Fortunately, we bounced back within a few months with the incredible leadership of my business partner Stephen Lord, our executive team, and KOJO Board. We not only recovered but have significantly grown our business across Australia and New Zealand with clients from all around the world.”