Harry Michaels - Good relationship is the key to happiness and health

Harry Michaels - Good relationship is the key to happiness and health

Harry Michaels - Car without a steering wheel (is it really possible?)

Harry Michaels - Car without a steering wheel (is it really possible?)

Harry Michaels - Future of work with Technology moving fast

Harry Michaels - Future of work with Technology moving fast

Harry Michaels - The good old days of Television

Harry Michaels - The good old days of Television

Harry Michaels - One Year Ago - Sky NEWS, first broadcast from this amazing Holt St studio! Produced and designed by ARK Television Concepts. Harry Michaels

One Year Ago - Sky NEWS, first broadcast from this amazing Holt St studio!
Produced and designed by ARK Television Concepts. Harry Michaels

Harry Michaels attending the game of Manchester United vs Juventus for the Champions League. Quest of Bryan Robson Ex Captain of England and MU

HARRY MICHAELS - A MENTOR TO MANY

A MENTOR TO MANY

by Andrew Paschalidis

Ex SBS & Fox Sports Broadcaster

Current Indian Super League Commentator

Harry Michaels OAM is a visionary in the Australian broadcasting landscape but also a mentor to so many desperate to forge a career in the Media.

I first met Harry in 1984 as a rookie commentator at SBS Television.

Harry’s company Harry Michaels Productions which would evolve into Zero1Zero was the sole provider for all football broadcasts on SBS Television.

Within 18 months Harry employed me as a presenter in the innovative new SBS football show Soccerama which was hosted by SBS legend Les Murray.

It was the start of a lifetime friendship.

By the end of 1986 I was host of Sports Report Australia - the first National sport show on Australian Television. I was only 24yo.

Harry - like so many other people he has met in the industry - would become a key mentor.

Our bond grew stronger as I continued to take huge steps at SBS as we both worked on the National Soccer League competition as well as Socceroos international games and World Youth Cup tournaments.

Harry’s experience in the industry is second to none.

His eye for detail and delivery of product is exceptional.

Many of us who have forged careers in the competitive media landscape in Australia owe Harry a debt of gratitude.

Then again Harry doesn’t expect accolades preferring to see the fruits of his labour continue to excel

Football in Australia

With the World Cup heading into the ‘business end’ of the tournament it’s an opportune time to reflect upon the state of football in this country. 

There has been much talk of the performance of the national team; whether Tim Cahill should have seen more game time, are we benefiting from the Dutch coaching influence we’ve embraced for some years now; why can’t we score goals through general play etc.?  The fundamental question, as my friend Harry Michaels OAM likes to ask is; how do we best harness the enormous passion we have for the game, particularly at grass roots level?

Harry’s knowledge of the game is beyond reproach.  By his own admission, he would have loved to have been a professional footballer, but wasn’t good enough.  So he applied his love, knowledge and desire to contribute to the growth of the game to the television broadcast of the code and, at administrative level for both Sydney Olympic and the Wollongong Wolves – very successfully I might add.

Les Murray was, and always will be “Mr. Football” in Australia, but if a successor was to be anointed, then Harry’s name would certainly come into calculation.  He is the man responsible for revolutionizing the way football (or “soccer” as it was known in Harry’s younger years) was beamed into our lounge rooms.  His knowledge of the game meant that he was almost able to predict plays, and this anticipation was reflected in the quality of his coverage.  He introduced many new techniques and elements to the coverage, which put the viewer onto the pitch and gave him, an aerial view – from helicopters no less! 

We were never more engaged than when watching a match Harry was producing.  The drama, the theatre, the enjoyment and heartbreak was better captured than ever before. His skill wasn’t just recognized by networks within Australia, television ratings rose and the game transitioned into the mainstream with Harry convincing the board of Soccer Australia that the game didn’t need to compete with the established winter sports in Australia.  If it was to thrive, he argued, then it needed publicity and the way to get it, was to stop trying to usurp rugby league, union and AFL for coverage. 

There are few more passionate people than Harry Michaels and that passion is most evident, when he talks about football.  I asked him during Australia’s game against Denmark what we had to do to ‘get better’ and this is what he said; we have to improve the pathways for children to progress with better coaching.  The Dutch national team didn’t qualify for this World Cup and our success on the world stage has been inconsistent - so why are we embracing a football philosophy handed to us by Dutch coaches?  When are we going to stop excusing poor performances by saying “we were brave”? If you qualify for the World Cup, then surely the expectation needs to be that you’ll be competitive.  Relying on penalties to score goals isn’t good enough. We have to set higher standards.  Simply qualifying isn’t good enough.  We are good at qualifying.  We’re not good at progressing.

For a man whose entire life has revolved around football, his thoughts are worth embracing.  His experience is valuable, his passion undeniable.  His contribution to football in Australia is enormous.  And it can continue if his opinions are canvassed by the powers that be. 

Anthony Sidney Johnson

Harry Michaels and Zero One Zero - Fox Sports soccer deal

Harry Michaels and Zero One Zero - Zeroes grow in Soccer deal

Harry Michaels and Zero One Zero - The Launch of GATV

Harry Michaels and Zero One Zero - The Launch of Greek Australian Television

Harry Michaels and Zero One Zero - The colour renaissance

Harry Michaels and Zero One Zero - The colour renaissance

Harry Michaels and Zero One Zero - Zeroing in on Henry

Harry Michaels and Zero One Zero - Zeroing in on Henry

Harry Michaels - Business Owner

Harry Michaels - Business Owner - Snapshot - Aerobics around the world

Harry Michaels - The Greek Herald

Harry Michaels - The Greek Herald in January 2004

Harry Michaels and family - A walk down the memory lane

Harry Michaels and family - A walk down the memory lane

Harry Michaels - Zero One Zero - Australian commercial of the year

Harry Michaels - Zero One Zero - Australian commercial of the year

Harry Michaels - Zero One Zero - client service on wheels

Harry Michaels  - Zero One Zero - client service on wheels

Harry Michaels - Zero One Zero - Avid Media Composer 8000 system

Harry Michaels - Zero One Zero - Avid Media Composer 8000 system

Harry Michaels - Zero One Zero - Malaysia Airlines TVC

Harry Michaels - Zero One Zero - Malaysia Airlines TVC

Harry Michaels - Zero One Zero - All hands on deck - TVC for Jupiters Casino

Harry Michaels - Zero One Zero - All hands on deck - TVC for Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast

Harry Michaels - Monitoring the performance of your operation

Harry Michaels - Monitoring the performance of your operation - Zero One Zero

Harry Michaels - Those Pistol-Packing Paps

Harry Michaels - Those Pistol-Packing Paps!!

Harry Michaels - A walk down the memory lane

Harry Michaels - A walk down the memory lane

Harry Michaels recalls Pay TV's Greek Tragedy

Harry Michaels recalls Pay TV's Greek Tragedy

Harry Michaels and Womens Fitness Australia - Effie Michaels

Harry Michaels and Women's Fitness Australia - Effie Michaels in Aerobics Oz Style

Harry Michaels and Aerobics Oz Style - Taking Exercise to the World - Effie Michaels

Harry Michaels and Aerobics Oz Style - Taking Exercise to the World - Effie Michaels

Harry Michaels - Aerobics Oz Style - A success story

Harry Michaels - Aerobics Oz Style - A success story

Harry Michaels - zer01zer0 - OB Vans

Harry Michaels - zer01zer0 - OB Vans

Harry Michaels helps bring soccer to SBS

Harry Michaels helps bring soccer to SBS

Encore Special Report - McCabe Studios - Harry Michaels and Team

Encore Special Report - McCabe Studios - Harry Michaels and Team

Newsweek Special Report - Harry Michaels - Newsweek Man of The Year

Newsweek Special Report - Harry Michaels - Newsweek Man of The Year

Harry's love for Soccer

Entrepreneur and Media guru Harry Michaels is the first person to book a table for the SOCCEROOS CELEBRATION Dinner on SATURDAY MAY 26 at CHP RSL in support of Heartbeat of Football. Harry has had a big association with football and at one time bankrolled the old National Soccer League to ensure it's survival and continued coverage on National television via SBS.
I first met Harry in 1984. Within two years I would appear on the popular Soccerama TV show with Les Murray - one of many Harry's production company Zero1Zero delivered for SBS. In 1988 Harry was my best man when I married Jane. Les Murray and Steve Chilas were the other groomsmen. What a football selection!! Sadly we lost Les last year.
Harry first made a name for himself as Giovanni Lenzi in the huge 1970s TV hit NUMBER 96. That gave him the confidence and skill set to become a major media player. Even though football is his passion where he has spent millions as a club owner, president or TV producer / director his other lasting legacies are two-fold. AEROBICS OZ STYLE was a huge global hit broadcast in over 70 countries for many years while shows like LETS GO GREEK ENDAXI and others brought us wonderful stories from our parents homeland way before pay TV existed.
Will you join Harry, our MC Michael Tomalaris,
10 ex-Socceroos Lazaridis, Emerton, Katholos, Fraser, Kalantzis, Henderson, Bingley, Patikas, Covic, Nastevski, 1974 World Cup coach Rale Rasic and Matildas star Chloe Logarzo on May 26??? Email or PM me andy@heartbeatoffootball.com.au

Text and Images from the Facebook post

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013518212576 

Legends of Football

Did you know that the National Soccer League was played in winter? Harry was broadcasting the game on SBS and realised it could not compete with the established winter sports; rugby league, AFL and Union. In order to save the game, he lobbied prominent board member Nick Papalo (well known and successful lawyer) who in turn, managed to convince other Soccer Australia board members of the merit of Harry’s recommendation. The governing body did not have the advertising money to compete and so, the game was moved to a summer schedule. Harry’s strategic call reinvigorated the game and gave it a true national identity and life!

The Legends of Football function at ANZ Stadium (home of the Sydney Olympics) hosted by the Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club

Harry was recently honoured amongst other leading football luminaries in this country at the Legends of Football function at ANZ Stadium (home of the Sydney Olympics) hosted by the Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club

The function recognised the major contributors to the game in Australia and in particular, Harry was singled out as being the only man brave enough to take a chance broadcasting the game here. In fact, in the first year of his rights deal, he personally funded the entire season! He was only permitted to broadcast the second half of matches because SBS (the host network) and t he board of directors of Soccer Australia did not believe there was a television appetite for 90 minutes of football! So Harry had to film and produce an entire game only to have it literally cut in half. 

In attendance at the function were; Andy Paschalidis, Ian Holmes, Paul Wade (who Harry employed with Mike Cockerill and Andy Harper as commentators/hosts at Optus Vision and C7 when he was Director for Soccer) Les Scheinflug, Peter Katholos, Gary Phillips, Manfred Schaefer, Alan Davidson and Remo Nogarotto to name just a few. 

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HARRY (Part 3)

 

 

 

 

This is the third instalment of my chat with Harry Michaels OAM and I wanted to focus on Harry’s passion for football, which only comes second to the love he has for his family.  And after enjoying a couple of coffees with him, I realise it’s a close second!

Harry received his OAM for services to television, soccer (football) and the Greek community and it is very apparent why.  It can be said that he is the architect of the way the game is produced and shown in Australia, and anyone who enjoys watching A-League football on television owes him a debt of gratitude.  He streamlined the game, removed unnecessary cameras that convoluted the action and took away from the spectacle.  His method of editing was also new and fresh and his success can be directly attributed to his love of the game, and the understanding he has of its nuances. That said, he’s frustrated by much of today’s coverage which he feels is too reliant on delayed replays because the directors aren’t properly aware of the game. They’re afraid to ‘cut into the game’! 

By his own admission, he could not produce rugby league or basketball for example, because he is not passionate about them.  It is a matter, as he told me, of “horses for courses” and this is one ‘course’ that he knows intimately.

I really enjoyed my time with Harry, but particularly this subject matter, because his passion for the game is still very much alive and well.

Harry you purchased the rights to cover soccer in this country in 1986.  Why?

I love the game.  I have loved it since I was a young boy, and in Australia, I followed it the moment I arrived.  I watched it grow into a mainstream sport with very strong participation numbers and increasing crowds.  It was ethnically based in terms of the clubs and supporter bases, but I could see a change coming. It was being embraced more broadly and Soccer Australia wanted to push it further into the mainstream, so I saw an opportunity.  Equally, I felt I could do a better job producing football for television.  I had new ideas and techniques I wanted to try, so if I had the rights, I thought I’d be free to do so.

Were you supported by those in power at the time and what was SBS’ reaction?

(laughs) Football is notoriously political.  It has a history of boardroom in-fighting and I wasn’t sure what the reaction would be, but I was confident that no one else could deliver a better product than me.  I had great belief in my knowledge and talent, so I wasn’t afraid, in fact, the board of Soccer Australia was keen to sell to me.  Stefan Kamasz, a great champion of Australian football worked at Soccer Australia at the time, later becoming its CEO, and he was a great supporter of me for which I am forever grateful.

When I told SBS that I had acquired the rights, they too were very supportive, but they had no money, so I said I would wear the costs for the first season and we could sit down and discuss the remaining years of my deal, if they were happy at the end of the season. That first year cost me $800,000 and we produced 42 games as well as the annual awards ceremony at which I was able to get a number of football luminaries like Johnny Warren, a very young Mark Bosnich, John Kosmina, Andy Harper, Mike Cockrill, Dwight Yorke and Les Murray amongst others, to appear without charging me, because they wanted me to succeed and the game to grow.

At the end of that season, I sat down with the Head of Sport Dominic Galati and the CEO of SBS, Brian Jones, who deferred to Dominic’s opinion on sport, and we negotiated a deal.  Brian asked me what the season had cost to produce and I told him “$800,000”.  He said to me; “we’d like to acquire the rights from you and so I’ll give you $900,000 for carrying the first year, and $800,000 a year for the next five years.”  Brian was a shrewd operator and had formerly been the boos at Penguin Books and the ABC, but I was very confident in my ability and the success I had enjoyed in the first year told me I was on a winner.  I told him I wanted $1.2 million per year for the next five, after the $900,000, and he agreed.

Wow! You clearly saw the potential growth for football in this country at a very early stage.
I did.  I knew that with the right production, the right number of cameras and an understanding of the game, you could produce a more cost-effective product with far greater audience appeal.  I introduced the use of a helicopter for internationals, but generally I reduced the number of cameras and distilled a much better quality product in the process.  Everyone was amazed! I have to acknowledge the support I got, particularly from Dominic who was instrumental in me striking a deal with Brian. 

Your prowess as a television producer is legendary.  Was it as easy in the boardroom at Sydney Olympic?

No! Football is very political and there was fireworks every night. They had a village mentality - not all, but most - and I suffered. On one occasion I was tipped off by a journalist that a senior member of my board was running around telling people I was a f*#*wit and they should let me pay, every time money was needed!  Being Chairman of Sydney Olympic, a team I love, taught me that I don’t want to answer to committees or large numbers of stakeholders i.e. “fans” as a business man (laughs).  

What are you most proud of as far as your contribution to Sydney Olympic goes?

I was a very selfless supporter of the club, even before I was Chairman.  I brought financial transparency to the club. After every game I would ensure every dollar in receipts was accounted for. We would count the money, sign off on it and at the post game press conference I would announce what our takings were. This was a shock to the system at a club that hadn’t always been ‘open’.

I bought and donated a car from City Ford to be raffled off by the club.  I also regularly tipped in cash when it was required. I brought great players there and I signed Manager Berti Mariani who achieved success during his tenure.  I enjoyed my time as Chairman but not as much as being a fan.  You must have complete autonomy running a football club, like Jose Mourinho had at Chelsea and now enjoys at Manchester United.  This is why Jose was able to secure the signature of Alexis Sanchez when Manchester City,  Chelsea and Bayern Munich amongst others, wanted him.  He was able to tell him what game plan he had for him, pay the agents’ fees and give him superstar money to play without asking for anyone’s approval. 

Speaking of marquee players, weren’t you responsible for getting them into the Australian competition?

Yes I was.  Ian Holmes and Stefan Kamasc were huge supporters of my idea that it would be beneficial to the game on many levels, if domestic teams could attract stars from overseas.  There was a little bit of resistance from some of the older board members, but we prevailed and it happened.  Later I was instrumental in increasing the number of foreign players to two, per club.

Your passion for the game is obvious, so what do you think the future holds?

I’d like Australia to channel more money into grass roots programs.  We have the former players and coaches to develop systems like they have in the UK and Germany for example.  We can’t rest on our laurels.  We have achieved some good things as a nation, but we mustn’t become complacent. Can we do better? Of course we can, but only if we remove the politics from the sport.  My friend Stefan Kamasz has been outspoken on this point in recent times and I agree with him.

Will you always follow soccer Harry? 

Of course!  It’s in my blood…no, it is part of my DNA!

 

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HARRY (Part 2)

Here is the second instalment from my chat with Harry Michaels OAM where I probe a little deeper into the man himself.

You became famous as Giovanni Lenzi, an Italian character in the tv show Number 96.  How did this help you?
Well firstly I’m possibly a better actor today than I was then (laughs).  I was young and the show was created to replicate something like the successful ‘Coronation Street’ show in the UK.  Ours was edgier and covered more adult themes.  It taught me that it pays to be different.  You have to stand out from the competition and that’s an ethos I have embraced in my business life.  

Tell us about the incredible success of Aerobics Oz Style
I’m very proud of this show for a number of reasons.  I started it in 1982 and it ran on various networks continuously until 2005.  We created 4,500 episodes during that time and launched a number of careers in the health and fitness industry for our presenters.  Initially we kicked off in a studio and then I realised that the magnificent city of Sydney provided a greater backdrop than any set we could build, so I took the team outdoors and we started shooting in front of the harbour and other famous landmarks, in beautiful gardens etc.  It gave us a real point of difference and showcased the city I love.  I’d like to think I’ve done more for tourism than most as the show was exported to 45 countries and continues to sell into many of them today.  For a long time, it was the most exported television show Australia has ever produced and I’m so proud that people are still buying and watching episodes.

So being different and standing out is important in business?

Of course! You cant expect to be recognised for being like everyone else.  But being different alone isn’t enough; you have to be good at what you do.  You have to be confident in what you do.  Years ago Donald Trump was very close to bankruptcy and the banks were ready to seize all of his assets.  He told them they could have keys to the casinos, the hotels etc, but that they couldn’t run them as well as he could, and if they wanted to get repaid, they’d be better off lending him more money and letting him trade out of the hole he was in.  They did.  He is a very confident man.

How did your childhood help shape the man you have become?

I had a hard childhood.  Things happened that shouldn’t happen to a child.  My father was killed before my eyes for example, but I don’t like to discuss these things - not because I’m traumatised, but because I don’t want sympathy.  There are no excuses in life.  I have learnt that what we have in life, emotionally as much as materially, we create.  We all suffer pain throughout our lives.  We can choose to grow from it, or we can give in to it and become emotionally paralysed.  That’s not living.  That’s not what we were created to do.  Pressure makes diamonds and hard times should only be viewed as lessons from which, we can learn and grow.

Very wise words indeed Harry.  Many thanks.

 

Kafedaki with Ana Sevo | Greek City Times

Kafedaki with Ana Sevo | Greek City Times

Famous people of Greek descent-Berühmte Personen griechischer Herkunft is on Facebook

Famous people of Greek descent-Berühmte Personen griechischer Herkunft is on Facebook

Shut up and EAT

Shut up & EAT

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HARRY (Part 1)

Having previously spoken to work colleagues of Harry Michaels I thought it would be of interest to interview the man himself and share his insights with the world.  This is the first of three parts of my meeting with him.

What motivates you Harry?

My family is and always has been my biggest motivation.  Everything I do, is for my family.  I am a proud man and I like to push the boundaries of my capabilities and those around me, but at the end of the day, my family is number one!

What attributes make a successful person?

I believe you have to have ambition and passion firstly.  Without them, it’s very hard to stay motivated.  You also need to be honest.  There are too many liars in this world and eventually, it catches up with them.  Be yourself, be honest and be prepared to work hard.

Who do/have you admire(d)?

I really admire Aristotle Onasis.  He had ambition and guts from a very early age, but unlike most people, he was prepared to chase very ambitious dreams.  He wasn’t scared to go for it and I love that.

What life advice do you have?

Have ambition and chase your dreams now!  Don’t wait.  I am a big believer in doing things now.  Opportunities get lost when you wait.  My good friend calls it “Harry time” which means I want everything done yesterday, it’s who I am.  Also, you must be true to yourself.  Be authentic.  If you are kindhearted, don’t try to be tough in business and vice versa.  Know who you are and play to your strengths and remember you can’t be all things to all people.

What do you think is the secret to your success?

I have been lucky, but someone once said ‘you make your own luck’ and I am a very hard worker.  I don’t care what time or day it is, if something has to be done, it has to be done immediately.  I also always try to look for a better way of doing things.  I am very confident in my own knowledge and experience, but I will readily ask an expert where I don’t have the knowledge.  You can’t know everything and don’t ever pretend to.  Know your limitations.

Harry Helps Many

I have been doing my research on the television industry and in particular, speaking to people who have worked with Harry Michaels. My research has been very enlightening. He has helped many people. 

When he was an actor he was always happy to share what he knew with up and coming actors but it is in production that he has truly helped many people. 

Harry is very well regarded across the entire television industry. He is renowned for his hard work, ability to deliver great results on time, his innovative approach and his desire to develop the talent around him. 

I spoke to many people who all said the same thing; ‘Harry is always available for advice and willing to help whenever you ask’. This industry is often referred to as being cut throat and mercenary. It is very refreshing to know that someone like Harry with his incredible track record is so willing to share his knowledge and experience with those he works with. Many of the future generations of presenters and production staff at SKY News and other networks will all owe a debt of gratitude to Harry Michaels in some way.