AIRASIA Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes is set to launch a podcast this Sunday, where he will share his thoughts and views on various issues through conversations with prominent friends and partners, many of whom have made a name for themselves in their respective fields.
Titled 'Talks with Tony', the hour-long podcast will also cover the diverse experiences, adventures and lessons that have helped shape him into who he is today.
Fernandes said, “As many of you know, I have been active on social media, and podcasting is a new way of connecting with people, sharing views, but more importantly, I wanted to share my many experiences and thoughts with some great and many well known friends and colleagues, who can add value and enrich people's lives.
“I want to give listeners an opportunity to learn a little bit from me and get up close and personal with my dear friends, discussing not just the successes but also the failures, even the problems everyone is going through now dealing with Covid-19. It's going to be with people from business, my friends from the sporting industry and obviously music because it's been a large part of my life, as well as other prominent figures and entrepreneurs,” he added.
The eight-part series is expected to reveal an honest and intimate inner look into Tony and his way of thinking, as well as his relationships with guests, including Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am, UFC President Dana White, former English footballer Les Ferdinand, and producer and composer David Foster.
“Tony endears himself to people in a beautiful way. So it would make sense that he could fill his dance card on his podcast for years to come with interesting people. I'm glad that I'm considered one of them,” said Foster.
During the online media roundtable this afternoon, Fernandes was simply asked why people would want to listen to his podcast. He responded that he hoped that listeners would tune in for the content, ideas, inspiration and entertainment value.
“There were some very funny moments recording these episodes. We had a lot of fun doing them. And I guarantee it will not be ‘syok sendiri’ because I’m the one asking the questions.”
Fernandes started the media roundtable discussion by clearing the air on the recent ‘road rage’ incident with AirAsia Thai chief Tassapon Bijleveld. He iterated that whilst Bijleveld was under extreme pressure from running an airline when all planes have been grounded and having to downsize on staff, it did not excuse his abusive behaviour towards the female employee.
“People respond to pressure in different ways, but it was inexcusable and that could have been a woman, that could have been a man that he abused. Firstly, that video was very one-sidedly edited. It didn’t show how he abused me as well by constantly interrupting me. I was shocked.
“And the second was that I had tried to calm him down and defended the Thai staff, which happened to be a woman.
“Thirdly, what wasn’t seen was that I had called our staff to remove him (Bijleveld) from the call. What wasn’t told was that straight away action was taken.”
On why the panelists did not react during the profanity-filled exchange, Fernandes offers: “We were in shock. And as soon as we got out of the shock, we reacted. That wasn’t put in the video.”
Other ideas the podcast would explore in the future would include topical subjects like working from home and creating healthy and safe spaces in the workplace.
“Safety is not just in the sky. Safety in the workplace has become so relevant now. From the standpoint of how we communicate and relate to one another, to our physical spaces in the office, because of Covid-19.”
When asked if there was any aspect of the podcast making process that surprised him, Fernandes responded,
“I’m a good talker when I’m asked questions. I can talk the cows home. Interviewers must get irritated when I go on and on. So, that was a good lesson – keep it short and sweet.”
Talks with Tony will be accessible through the Syok app from August 1, on his podcast website talkswithtony.co from August 2, as well as other podcast services, including Spotify, Google and Apple podcasts from August 8. – The Vibes, July 28, 2021
