And yet again, no love for the backgrounders who get shows sounding tight, bright and out of sight.
Best Panel Operator should be a “thing” (get it???)
I would love to go up against my colleagues who do such a brilliant job.
And yet again, no love for the backgrounders who get shows sounding tight, bright and out of sight.
Best Panel Operator should be a “thing” (get it???)
I would love to go up against my colleagues who do such a brilliant job.
More entrants will be questioning their relevance with hosts from such a niche format, definitely so in Brisbane.
The 2023 Australian Commercial Radio & Audio (ACRA) Awards are shaping up to be radio’s brightest night of nights with record entries from commercial stations across Australia and nine radio stars hosting the event.
The Awards, which champion excellence in commercial radio broadcasting and audio across entertainment, news, talk and sport, will be held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on Saturday 14 October.
Over 1200 entries from across Australia have been received, up 15% from 2022, with 85 entries for the inaugural Individual Talent of the Year Award coming in from across the nation.
The hosting line-up announced today will support a greater focus on Australian music. The hosts for the 2023 ACRA Awards are:
Robin Bailey and Kip Wightman (Rob, Terry and Kip, KIIS 97.3 Brisbane, ARN)
Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey (Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel, NOVA Entertainment)
Jimmy Smith, Nath Roye and Loren Barry (The Jimmy & Nath Show and The Marty Sheargold Show, SCA)
Sofie Formica and Ray Hadley (4BC afternoons and The Ray Hadley Morning Show, Nine Radio)“Some of Australia’s most loved and most trusted commercial radio talent are sharing the baton to ensure this year’s ACRA Awards are truly spectacular, as well as loads of fun,” Ford Ennals, CEO of CRA said.
“The ACRA Awards bring the Australian radio industry together to recognise and celebrate its finest talent. This year, the major Australian radio networks have joined together to provide some of their brightest stars to acknowledge those who have stood out all over the previous 12 months.”
Hosting segments will be interspersed with live performances from major Australian artists including Proud Coodjinburra artist Budjerah and proud Gamilaraay man Mitch Tambo. Other Australian music acts will be revealed over the coming weeks.
“We are truly excited to be bringing some of Australia’s best acts to the ACRAs, which, like commercial radio across the nation, champions Australian music. Commercial radio plays 2.7 million Australian songs each year, and this year we’ve added the Gudinksi Award, or the Australian Music Champion Award, in addition to our existing Australian music-centred awards,” Ford said.
The Gudinski (Australian Music Champion) Award recognises a champion of Australian music, in honour of the late Mushroom Records founder Michael Gudinski.
Two further new awards which acknowledge those who have set the benchmarks of creativity and excellence for the commercial radio industry are the “Brenno” Award, named after radio legend John Brennan, awarded to the person who has made an outstanding contribution to commercial radio and the Best News Presenter FM Award which acknowledges the late Glenn Daniel’s 40-year career in broadcast journalism.
The ACRA Awards have been slimmed down from 86 in 2022 to 77 this year, while other new awards include Station of the Year, Podcast of the Year, Diversity and Inclusion, Best News Event Coverage, Individual Talent of the Year and Podcast Host of the Year.
“The 34th ACRA Awards will celebrate 100 years commercial radio in Australia. And while we honour a century of music, news, entertainment and connection, we crown those who are ensuring commercial radio’s continued vibrancy and relevance across Australia, Ford said.
Around 900 of the industry’s major stars, personalities and executives from around Australia are expected to attend this year’s ACRA Awards, with winners announced across four areas: national, metropolitan, provincial and country.
Tickets to the ACRAs go on sale in early September.
The finalists for this year’s ACRAs have been released overnight.
Super thrilled to be nominated for three consecutive years. Heaps of awesome people in that lineup.
Nine Radio and 9Podcasts have received a record 37 finalists across 18 categories at the 34th annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs), which were announced today – surpassing the previous record of 29 nominations for the network in 2019.
The nominations are a resounding endorsement of Nine’s live and local strategy, building trust and loyalty with listeners as the unrivalled destination of news, sport and opinion.
The full list of nominees is here, with highlights including Melbourne’s No.1 station 3AW nominated for Station of the Year, and fresh of his 150th consecutive survey win, Ray Hadley nominated for Individual Talent of the Year.
Ben Fordham (2GB), John Stanley (2GB), Neil Mitchell (3AW), Ray Hadley (2GB), Sofie Formic a (4BC) and Tom Elliott (3AW) are all up for the coveted Best Talk Presenter award, and Nine’s talk radio newsreaders Amie Meehan (2GB), David Armstrong (3AW), Erin Maher (2GB) and Natalie Peters (2GB) guaranteeing the network a win with their complete domination of the Best News Presenter AM category.
In the sports categories, Darryl “The Big Marn” Brohman (2GB) and Paul “Fatty” Vautin (4BC) are nominated for Best Sports Presenter, and The Continuous Call Team has been nominated in the Best Sports Event Coverage for the 2022 State of Origin Decider.
9Podcasts has also been recognised, with Stories of Origin nominated for Podcast of the Year, Phil “Gus” Gould (Six Tackles with Gus) for Podcast Host of the Year, Billy Slater (The Billy Slater Podcast) for Best New Talent – Podcast, and Matt White (Stories of Origin) and Sam Stove (Anatomy of a Scam) nominated in the Best Podcast Producer categories for both Show and Audio.
Head of Content at Nine Radio, Greg Byrnes, said: “A record number of nominations across 18 categories is wonderful recognition for the tireless effort that goes into creating Australia’s best live and local content. Across the network, our teams work to make a difference to the lives of our listeners, so to be awarded a record haul of nominations is really humbling.”
The ACRA winners will be announced at the ceremony in Sydney on October 14, with 2GB’s Ray Hadley and 4BC’s Sofie Formica forming part of the hosting lineup.
The PR juniors may care to try learning how to proofread next time.
Hall of Fame:
This year’s Hall of Fame had a distinctly Sunshine-state flavour, with two veterans of Queensland radio – Laurel Edwards (4BC, Nine Radio) and Steve “Pricey” Price (Triple M Townsville, SCA) – both being inducted.
All winners:
Congratulations to @EllieAngel on your award!
Apologies if i missed anyone else on this forum who also received one (and congratulations too!).
Thankyou so very very much. I am so shocked to win, not one but two awards. This industry is full of so much talent and it’s an honour to a finalist let alone win. I am so lucky to be part of the radio world and thank my luck everyday.
4BC’s Laurel Edwards clinched the highest honour in Australian radio at last night’s Australian Commercial Radio & Audio Awards in Sydney when she was inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame.
As the reigning queen of the Brisbane Breakfast slot and holding the record as the longest-serving female announcer in commercial radio history for the same shift, Edwards’ induction acknowledges her outstanding success and contribution to Australian radio.
The annual gala awards ceremony honoured Edwards among a star-studded room of industry peers for her on-air charisma, passion for her city and her authenticity in broadcasting stories and moments that matter to Brisbane.
Congratulatory messages from Russell Crowe, Darryl Braithwaite and radio legend Jamie Dunn acknowledged Edwards’ indelible mark on radio and her role in inspiring the next generation of broadcasters.
Laurel Edwards said: “I never imagined I’d find myself in this incredible industry, and 30 years later, to be on this dream run, especially alongside my mates Gary and Mark, is truly an honour.
“My love for this city is no secret. Brisbane is where my heart beats, where the community flourishes, and where I’ve discovered immense joy in guiding and connecting with local listeners through life’s highs and lows – from the 4KQ days to our wonderful 4BC audience. Eight-year-old me, with a transistor glued to my ear, would be pretty impressed at where this journey has led. I’m immensely grateful and still a bit in shock.”
4BC Content Manager Max Dudley said: “There is no one quite like Laurel Edwards on radio today. Not only has she been a familiar voice on the air for 31 years, Laurel has been a champion for local events, music, charities, and everything great in our city.
“As well as being a terrific broadcaster, Laurel has nurtured so many emerging radio talents. She deserves this recognition with the other Australian radio greats.”
Nine Radio Managing Director Tom Malone said: “For three decades, Laurel has resonated as the pre-eminent voice on Brisbane airwaves, consistently securing the top spot with her warm and captivating style.
“In her 31st year she has achieved what very few have – indeed only other Hall of Fame inductees – by switching stations and taking her audience with her. It’s a powerful demonstration of her connection with her audience and her appeal as a broadcaster of great fun and empathy. Laurel’s induction into ACRA’ Hall of Fame is a fitting accolade for an extraordinary career.”
Nine’s talk radio stations and podcasts have taken home eight awards at the 2023 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) held in Sydney last night, with 4BC Breakfast legend Laurel Edwards inducted into the ACRA Hall of Fame.
As the reigning queen of the Brisbane Breakfast slot and holding the record as the longest-serving female announcer in commercial radio history for the same shift, Laurel Edwards’ induction into the ACRA Hall of Fame acknowledged her outstanding contribution to Australian radio.
Of the honour, Edwards said, “I never imagined I’d find myself in this incredible industry, and 30 years later, to be on this dream run, especially alongside my mates Gary and Mark, is truly an honour.
“Brisbane is where my heart beats, where the community flourishes, and where I’ve discovered immense joy in guiding and connecting with local listeners through life’s highs and lows – from the 4KQ days to our wonderful 4BC audience. Eight-year-old me, with a transistor glued to my ear, would be pretty impressed at where this journey has led. I’m immensely grateful and still a bit in shock.”
Radio titan and fellow ACRA Hall of Fame member, Neil Mitchell was one of the biggest winners of the night, awarded Best News Coverage for his reporting on the Victorian floods, and taking out the prestigious Best Talk Presenter for the eighth time – cementing his position at the top of the radio game after an incredible 34 years hosting 3AW Mornings.
Mitchell said, “This is a tribute to a superb team and a super active and engaged audience which make the program sparkle. It’s a great honour to be stepping down from daily radio on top.”
2GB’s Ben Fordham was named Best Current Affairs Presenter for a second time, Amie Meehan as Best News Presenter AM, and Clinton Maynard scooped the Brian White Award for Excellence in Journalism (Metro).
Nine Radio’s premium sports coverage was also recognised on the night, with the Continuous Call Team awarded Best Sports Event Coverage for the 2022 State of Origin Decider and Matt White taking out the Best Podcast Producer (Show) for 9Podcasts’ Stories of Origin, while James Willis was awarded Best Radio Show Producer (Metro).
Managing Director of Nine Radio, Tom Malone said, “I’m incredibly proud of all our teams across 4BC, 2GB, 3AW and 6PR. They set the standard every day for live and local radio – connecting with listeners and advertisers in a very powerful way. The recent evolution of ratings under GFK 360 shows that the future of streaming is talk radio.”
-Triple M Townsville’s Steve ‘Pricey’ Price OAM inducted into the Hall of Fame-
SCA has walked away with 30 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) across its Hit and Triple M networks and LiSTNR, the most of any radio and audio network.
Steve ‘Pricey’ Price, who hosted Breakfast on 102.3 Triple M Townsville for an impressive 32 years, before announcing his retirement in May this year, was inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame at the 34th annual awards show.
The ACRAS were presented at a gala event in Sydney attended by 1,000 radio personalities and executives from around the country. SCA won ACRAs across a diverse array of categories for its on and off air talent, marketing, production, music and community work from all over the country in the metro, non-metro, provincial and country categories.
The Hit Network’s Jimmy Smith and Nath Roye, who now host the Hit Nights show nationally, were named Best On Air Team (provincial) for their Hit100.9 Hobart Breakfast show.
The Brenno Best New Talent on Air – Radio (Metro) went to Laura ‘Loz’ O’Callaghan from 104.7 Triple M, Adelaide’s Breakfast show, Roo, Ditts & Loz.
Ellie Angel-Mobbs from Hit104.7 Canberra and Michael Moffett from106.3 Triple M Coffs Harbourwon Individual Talent of the Year for provincial and country respectively.
Angel-Mobbs also won Best Music Host (Metro) at B105, while Sean Brown from Hit 106.9, Newcastle won Best Music Host (provincial).
LiSTNR’s multi-award winning podcast, The Children in the Pictures added two new trophies to its haul, winning Podcast of the Year and Darcy Thomson winning Best Podcast Producer (Audio) for the podcast series.
In addition, Abbie Chatfield from It’s A Lot was named Podcast Host of the Year, and 90.9 Sea FM’s Bianca, Ben & Lakey’s Lift the Lid won Best Podcast by a Radio Show.
The Gudinski Australian Music Champion award went to Triple M’s Homegrown with Matty O.
SCA’s Marketing Team also won Marketing Team of the Year.
SCA Chief Content Officer, Dave Cameron, said: “To win a total of 30 ACRA awards across such a diverse range of categories across the Hit and Triple M networks and LiSTNR is a huge testament to our talented people. We’re really proud of the depth and breadth of talent we have at SCA and to have so many recognised at the ACRAs is an incredible success story. A huge congratulations to all the winners and all our people who helped along the way.”
Paying tribute to Pricey’s Hall of Fame induction, Cameron said: "It’s rare that an entire city hears one voice for breakfast every weekday for 32 years, or to have a career that spans more than five decades but that is what you get with the undisputed King of Townsville and radio legend Steve ‘Pricey’ Price OAM.
"His approach to delivering localism sets the precedent for all of our Triple M stations in their respective communities.
"His name is synonymous with radio however Pricey’s impact reaches far beyond the mic. He has truly affected and bettered the lives of people in and around North Queensland, with countless fundraising and community missions, in good times and bad.”
SCA CEO, John Kelly, said: “As Australia’s biggest audio content creation company, SCA is committed to producing premium local content delivered by our people across the country. The power of audio is nothing without our dedicated people who bring it to life in so many ways. The industry’s coveted annual awards showcase our range of outstanding talent, initiatives, and community work.
“I’d like to sincerely congratulate all the winners and a special call out to Pricey for his dedication to the people of Townsville and his warranted recognition in the Hall of Fame.”
Full list of SCA ACRAs winners for 2023:
ENTERTAINMENT & TALENT
BEST ON AIR TEAM (PROVINCIAL) - Jimmy & Nath; Jimmy Smith, Nath Roye, Hit100.9 Hobart
INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (PROVINCIAL) - Ellie Angel-Mobbs; Hit104.7, Canberra
INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (COUNTRY) - Michael Moffett; 106.3 Triple M, Coffs Harbour
THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (METRO) - Laura O’Callaghan; 104.7 Triple M Adelaide
BEST MUSIC HOST (METRO) - Ellie Angel-Mobbs; B105 Brisbane
BEST MUSIC HOST (PROVINCIAL) - Sean Brown; Hit106.9, Newcastle
STATION OF THE YEAR (NON-METRO) - Mix 106.3; Canberra
BEST PROGRAM/CONTENT DIRECTOR (PROVINCIAL) - Rod Cuddihy; Mix 106.3/Hit104,7, Canberra
BEST NEW TALENT OFF AIR – RADIO (METRO) - Stephanie Clarkson; B105 Brisbane
BEST NEW TALENT OFF AIR – RADIO (PROVINCIAL) - Chloe Burgess-Jones; 107.7 Triple M / Hit101.3, Central Coast, NSW
SALES & MARKETING
MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR - SCA Marketing Team
PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (NON-METRO) - Zak Davies; Mix 106.3 / Hit104.7, Canberra
MOST CREATIVE STATION PROMOTION (PROVINCIAL) - Jimmy & Nath’s “Wild Goose Chase”; Jimmy Smith, Nath Roye; Hit100.9 Hobart
PODCASTS & DIGITAL
PODCAST OF THE YEAR - The Children in The Pictures ; Akhim Dev, Emma Lancaster, Belinda Lopez, Jennifer Goggin, Simon Nasht, Romy Sher, Darcy Thomson, Bonnie Lavelle; LiSTNR
PODCAST HOST/S OF THE YEAR - It’s A Lot ; Abbie Chatfield, LiSTNR
BEST PODCAST BY A RADIO SHOW - Bianca, Ben & Lakey, Lift the Lid Podcast; 90.9 Sea FM Gold Coast
PRODUCTION
BEST RADIO SHOW PRODUCER (NON-METRO) - Haylee Potts; Mix 106.3 Canberra
BEST PODCAST PRODUCER (AUDIO) - Darcy Thomson, The Children in The Pictures; LiSTNR
BEST IMAGING PRODUCER (METRO) - Natasha Thorniley; 92.9 Triple M Perth
BEST IMAGING PRODUCER (PROVINCIAL) - Matt Innes; 92.5 Triple M Gold Coast
BEST INNOVATION IN ENGINEERING - Gino Canzano; SCA Engineering Team
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE (METRO) - “David Getting Decked”; Joshua Robins, Tim Whittington, Mix94.5, Perth
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE (COUNTRY) - “Home Harmony”; Tamara Heinjus, Nat Marshall; 783 Triple M Albany**,** WA
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (PROVINCIAL) - “Be Safe | Be Alive”; Chris Tankey, Cath Bell and Adam Jansen; Mix 106.3 / Hit104.7, Canberra
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (COUNTRY) - “Mowers and More”; Cameron Horn; SCA Coffs Harbour
TALK, NEWS & SPORT
BEST LOCAL NEWS TEAM - David Dollin, Hamish Finlay, Isabel Everett, Dan Flegg, Madeline Larsen; 102.9 Triple M Newcastle,
BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (PROVINCIAL) - “Pack the Bus”; Mix106.3 Product Team, Canberra
MUSIC
THE GUDINSKI – AUSTRALIAN MUSIC CHAMPION - Triple M’s Homegrown with Matty O; Matthew O’ Gorman, Julia Di Gregorio, Chris Holland, Kalun Townsend, Triple M Network
BEST MUSIC FEATURE - Behind The Hits – Remembering Taylor Hawkins ; Triple M and LiSTNR Music Team
HALL OF FAME
Steve “Pricey” Price, Triple M Townsville
I need to put my sunglasses on to look at his suit in this pic
PDF listing:
Beyond thrilled that our Knights vs Raiders semi final was nominated for Best Sports Coverage.
I truly believe it was the best broadcast we have ever done as a team.
Nine Radio and 9Podcasts have broken their own record with an astounding 41 finalist nominations across 20 categories in the 35th annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs), announced today.
From breaking news to investigative journalism, storytelling, production, sports coverage, and diversity and inclusion (both on and off-air), these nominations highlight Nine Radio’s deep connection with its audiences and the triumph of its comprehensive audio strategy.
Leading the charge are 2GB’s Ben Fordham, Ray Hadley and Chris O’Keefe and 3AW’s Neil Mitchell – all finalists for both Best Talk Presenter and Best Current Affairs Presenter. Tom Elliott is also nominated for Best Talk Presenter. Fordham and Hadley are also contenders for Individual Talent of the Year.
In a nod to the new talent Nine’s stations continue to develop and discover, 2GB’s Chris O’Keefe and 3AW’s Jacqui Felgate are in the running for Best New On-Air Talent.
It’s a big year for Sydney’s top station, 2GB, which is vying for Station of the Year, Content Manager Luke Davis for Best Content Director, with Fordham, Mark Levy and Will Bottom and Hadley also nominated for Best News Event Coverage for their reports on the Bondi Junction Attacks and the Sydney Car Pursuit, respectively.
In sport, the late David Morrow, Mark Levy, Anthony Hudson, and Shane McInnes are all nominated in the Best Sports Presenter category, while the Continuous Call Team’s coverage of 2023 NRL Grand Final is a finalist for Best Sports Event Coverage.
Nine Radio’s journalists dominate the Best News Presenter and Brian White awards, with David Armstrong, Gail Watson, Rhiannon Soliman-Marron, Ben Fordham, Clinton Maynard and Zac de Silva all finalists.
9Podcasts’ award-winning, critically acclaimed and hugely popular series, Hannah’s Story, adds to its accolades with nominations for Podcast of the Year, Best Documentary Audio, and Best Podcast Producer for Jess Lodge. Producers Sam Stove and Matty White also earned Best Podcast Producer nominations.
Nine Radio’s successful internship program was also nominated in the special category for Diversity and Inclusion.
Nine Radio Managing Director, Tom Malone, said: “This is an outstanding result for Nine’s radio stations and podcast teams. They are a dedicated group of professionals who strive for excellence in all they do. At the heart of their purpose is serving our listeners, as a destination for live and local content – always relevant, always on. These nominations are a huge testament to their hard work and commitment, and a wonderful reflection on them, and all of their colleagues who strive for excellence every day.”
See the full list of Nine nominees here.
The ACRA winners will be announced in Sydney on Saturday, October 12.
AWARD-WINNING 9NEWS PODCAST TEAM EARNS THREE ACRA NOMINATIONS
The acclaimed team behind the 9News podcast Hannah’s Story has earned three nominations in this year’s Australian Commercial Radio Awards.
Hannah’s Story has been nominated for Podcast of the Year, Best Documentary – Audio, and Best Podcast Producer for Jessica Lodge.
Launched jointly by 9News and 9Podcasts, Hannah’s Story, presented by 9News Queensland presenter, Melissa Downes, produced by Jessica Lodge, with sound editing by Adam Buncher, has captivated audiences with its compelling narrative and meticulous storytelling.
It delves into one of the worst acts of domestic violence Australia has ever seen – the day Hannah Clarke and her three children were set on fire and killed in their car in a quiet Brisbane street by their father, Hannah’s estranged husband, Rowan Baxter. Since launching in 2023, the podcast has dominated the Australian podcast charts, resonated globally, and received numerous national and international accolades.
The three ACRA nominations coincide with the release of the follow-up Downes-Lodge project, The Ultimate Sacrifice, which traces the harrowing events of December 12, 2022, when two Queensland Police officers were shot dead in a shocking ambush at Wieambilla.
With four episodes already released, this podcast explores the haunting question: how did a routine callout escalate into Queensland’s deadliest police shooting and Australia’s first Christian terrorist attack?
From Monday, July 29, The Ultimate Sacrifice will continue, following the four-week coronial inquest into the massacre. Listeners can expect unfolding evidence, testimonies, new details, previously unheard recordings, and crucial insights revealing the heroism and camaraderie displayed on that tragic day.
Melissa Downes said: “What an incredible honour it is for Hannah’s Story to be nominated at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards. The overwhelming response to and unwavering support for Hannah’s Story has been deeply moving. I am particularly proud to see Jess’s outstanding producing talent recognised on a national stage. The timing is especially meaningful as The Ultimate Sacrifice is currently topping the Australian podcasting charts.”
Jess Lodge said: “We’ve seen firsthand the power of this podcast in sparking community conversations about coercive control, particularly as it continues to serve as an invaluable educational resource. Receiving recognition within the audio industry is incredibly gratifying. We take immense pride in our storytelling, so it’s wonderful to see our podcasts being appreciated as much as we enjoyed creating them.”
Nine Radio Managing Director, Tom Malone, said: “This is further testament to the sensitive and powerful storytelling of Melissa, Jess and Adam. Their podcast has won audiences and awards around the world for its detailed and careful examination of coercive control, shining a light on scourge that must be confronted.
“Their latest podcast, The Ultimate Sacrifice, is further proof of their skill in telling harrowing stories with great care and sensitivity. On behalf of everyone at Nine, we are immensely proud of their purpose-driven journalism and consequent accomplishments.”
Hannah’s Story and The Ultimate Sacrifice are available wherever you get your podcasts.
As is the problem of much of the radio sector, a lack of consistency and since @TV.Cynic helpfully published the PDF list, CRA have changed the URL, it’s now this:
URL ends in ‘updated.pdf’, what errors did they need to update?
I can still see some errors.