In the latest episode of the Howie Games, polarising broadcaster Kane Cornes has shared the story of a defining moment in his media career—a blunt email from now Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly that nearly shattered his aspirations but ultimately became the fuel for his success.
Cornes leaves no stone unturned in the latest episode as he recalled the moment then Manager, now Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly almost shattered his career in media outside of his home state.
“I remember sending him an email saying, ‘Craig, can I, can you explore some of these opportunities for me? Can we do this? Can we do this? Can we do this?’ And he wrote back as bluntly as ever. He just wrote back and said, ‘Kane, your focus needs to be on South Australia. You will not make it in the Victorian media.'”
At the time, as he realised the Fire Brigade was not a good fit for him, he was disheartened by the roadblock.
“I was like, is there a chance I could get on the Sunday Footy Show? Is there a chance I could do this? What about this with Crocmedia? It was just so blunt.”
Despite the initial disappointment, Cornes now sees that email as a pivotal motivator.
“Honestly, and this is nothing against Ned [Kelly] because I appreciate the honesty, but I would be lying to say that email from Craig Kelly hasn’t driven me more than anything else to prove people wrong,” Cornes admits.
He reflects on how this seemingly harsh advice pushed him to prove himself beyond the borders of South Australia, ultimately achieving success in the very media markets where he was told he wouldn’t make it.
“Sometimes I reflect on that and go, that was a great driver and a motivation tool for me.”
Listen to the full Howie Games episode with Kane Cornes on his mindset and more.