4 weeks of ACRA’s Finalists Fever 2012 #17

Staff Writer

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There's only 1 more sleep until the ACRA's…..how exciting !!!

Radio Today have been spotlighting many of the finalists over the past 4 weeks. See them all here

Today in #17 we spotlight a best multimedia execution from Nova Brisbane, Jonesy & Amanda's EP LV and many more…

 

LAURA VIGLINO

BEST SHOW PRODUCER – ENTERTAINMENT / MUSIC (M)
Jonesy & Amanda
WSFM, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network

Give us a snapshot of your radio background

I started out with a weekly show on community station 2RDJ in Burwood, playing whatever CD I’d find under my car seat. Scored a job on the street team at ARN, handing out chips and cooking sausages…until I worked my way up to Promotions Manager of WSFM…while hanging around after hours in the studios, learning anything I could.

Early one morning I got a call from Jonesy and Amanda’s EP at the time to fill in for a producer that had called in sick – and I didn’t leave! Fast forward 5 years, and now I’m EP!

What’s the best part of your job ?

Being surrounded by some of the absolute legends of radio – people that I’ve always looked up to…Charlie Fox, Ron E Sparks, Rob Duckworth, and of course Jonesy and Amanda. The best part is the spontaneity and immediacy of putting together a live show – coming up with an idea and hearing it on air almost straight away. And without getting too gushy, I love the team I work with – we have so much fun every day, it makes that early morning alarm all worthwhile.

What are your key achievements over the past 12 months ?

Personally, being promoted to Executive Producer has been a career highlight for me. Jonesy and Amanda achieved our highest ratings results ever – seeing the hard work we all put in pay off like that in the numbers was really exciting! I also found an excuse to play a snippet of “Gangnam Style” on a Classic Hits station – and came really close to solving the office Rubik’s cube last week…

You can’t make a speech on the night so here’s a chance to have your moment in the spotlight (don’t forget to thank anyone)….go for it….

I’d thank the WSFM family – Jonesy & Amanda, Charlie, Postie, Mindy, Alex and Eddie…and the man who taught me everything about being a Producer – one of the greatest radio programmers – Ben Latimer.

 

BRANDON HUGHES and EMMA ELSOM

BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE (NM)
1494 2AY Football Commentary Team

2AY, Albury NSW, ACE Radio Broadcasters

Tell us about your background...

Brandon: I spent a couple of years working for a school based radio station before venturing into Community Radio doing a breakfast show – a lot of my skills developed during my time there. My school based work experience happened to be at 2AY here in Albury which gave me the foot in the door and my career took off from there.

I first started answering phones, doing a bit of reception work, traffic and accounts. Then an opportunity came up for the Production Manager's role in which I took up the offer. A year on and I was offered the role as Program Director. I've never knocked anything back.

Emma: I began my Radio Career in 2002 and am currently on the cusp of Long Service, I started out as a Copywriter at 3HA in Hamilton and 6 months later moved onto 3WM in Horsham as a Copywriter/Announcer. After a few years of this I became the Production Manager at 3WM as well as being the 10-3 Announcer on 3WM’s sister station Mixx FM.

In 2007 I Completed the AFTR’s PD course and half way through was promoted to Program Manager of Ace’s Biggest station TR FM and GOLD 1242 (then 3TR FM & 3GV), I moved to Gippsland and did my initial stint as a PD in one of the busiest market’s in the company.

Almost two years later I moved back to Horsham to become the PD of 3WM and Mixx FM and also do Breakfast, this lasted two years and by this stage I knew how to do almost every job you could in a Radio Station – so I decided to head to Albury when the job came up for a Newsreader/Journalist – something I had been interested in for a while.

I took up residence at Ace’s 1494 2AY as the Afternoon Announcer and Newsreader. It was a fantastic experience but the opportunity to become the PD came up after a year or so and I jumped at the chance to take the reins again – I stayed on air and also became the Copywriter for AY.

Now we’re almost up to date – very recently as in a month I have moved back to 3WM/Mixx in Horsham (yes its my third time back here) to become the PD again – but also the Assistant Group FM PD to Mark Taylor a job that clearly needs to be done from an FM station – being in Horsham makes me very central to four out of our five FM stations –  Swan Hill, Colac, Hamilton, Warrnambool and Traralgon.

I have two permanent shifts at the moment Coast FM – Warrnambool afternoons and am still the Afternoon Announcer on 2AY.

Tell us about your ACRA's entry…

Brandon: Our entry is a snapshot of the Ovens and Murray Football League Grand Final from 2011. It captures the moment when the Albury Tigers won their 3rd consecutive Grand Final in a row and takes the listener right into the heart of the game including the Tigers singing their club song to the coach delivering the post game speech. Our motto from the season was 'you won't miss a thing'.

Emma: The entry showcases the fantastic commentary team that I work with, their style, their dedication and how amazing they sound on air.

Simon Corr and Brandon Hughes are an integral part of the commentary team – Simon keeps the team together and focused and Brandon Hughes  – every single weekend produces a spectacular broadcast.

Not only is the 2AY commentary team call spot on with information but the boys are also entertaining with humour and excitement throughout the call.

What are your key achievements over the past 12 months ?

Brandon: A highlight from the past 12 months has been the establishment of local football into our region. We have a lot of talent in the local leagues and it's important to recognise that and bring it to the listeners out in the community. Taking out the 'Match of the Round' category in the VCFL Footy Awards last year capped off a great year – it's a credit to all involved.

Emma: Maturing in my work role, working at 2AY (in a provincial market) and having quite a few of my staff become ACRA’s finalists.

Being promoted to Assistant Group PD of the Ace FM stations – I’m pumped to see what the future brings as the last 12 months have been big and rewarding.

Your speech, if you were able to make one…

Brandon: What we have achieved as a team over the last 2 seasons of Local Footy has been one of the highlights of my career working in the radio industry. A lot of organisation, hard work and dedication from all involved goes into it every week to produce such a professional product. As mentioned in the previous question it's rewarding being able to bring the talents of Country Footy direct to listeners out in the community that can't make the game or have family or friends playing. We all work so well as a team and that makes the job even more enjoyable.

Simon Corr has a massive input into this each week – from organising the interviews to line testing/technical set ups, and special comments for every game.

Our two highly skilled commentators – Steve Murphy and Robbie Mackinlay. Those guys are a main factor why the overall product is so professional.

And my co-producer Thomas Bownds – he's excellent with stats, match updates, scores and all the other important details that the listeners like to hear.

Emma: A big Thanks To Aceradio, I’ve not worked for another company in the Radio Industry and nor would I want to – I work for a Great Business, with a great bunch of people and wouldn’t change it for the world – Nothing makes me prouder than to work for Ace, from the Top of the Food chain right down to the newbies, there are some amazing people I get to interact with everyday and there is no other place I would want to spend my days than working with these people. AND to the amazing finalists from 2AY – they are one of the awesome – ist groups of people I’ve worked with.

SCOTT TONGES

BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – STATION (M)
Australian Belly Flop Aquatic Team
Ash, Kip & Luttsy
Nova 106.9, Brisbane QLD, dmg radio australia

Give us a snapshot of your radio background..

My love affair with radio happened by chance. A friend destined for on-air stardom (Dan Anstey) dropped my name to an incredibly supportive program director (Ryan Rathbone) who wasn’t afraid to take a chance on a young guy who thought OB, talk-break, PD and panel op were reasons to see the doctor.

Coming from a web design and development background, my passion apart from radio is the web. Whether I’m writing html, jquery and css (now it’s your turn to see the doctor), filming and editing the latest attempt at a viral video or pushing a CMS to its limits, I’m in my element.

Here is the video for this entry…

What’s the best part of your job ?

I think the best part of the job is working with incredible people who define creativity and challenge me to push the limits of my own imagination.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would film Ed Sheeran perform an intimate acoustic in front of 30 people, see my youtube video of a belly flop comp fly past 300,000 views or suffer hearing damage from 5,000 screaming teens while photographing One Direction.

It’s this unpredictable, fast-paced, ever-changing environment that I love and that drives me to succeed in a medium that’s been around forever but, more importantly, remains as relevant as ever.

What are your key achievements over the past 12 months ?

With radio being such an instant medium, 12 months seems like an incredibly long time! Obviously the ACRA nominated ABFAT (Australian Belly Flop Aquatic team) video which has gone on to gain 380,000 views on youtube would be a highlight. Seeing such an organic idea grow into something with such reach was amazing. A real 'tipping-point' moment.

Challenged by PD Jay Walkerden to film and edit a 20 minute Ash, Kip & Luttsy behind the scenes documentary with a three day turn around was a great experience (see it here). I said I'd never do it again, but expect round two next month!

Your speech, if you were able to make one…

People see me, and they see the suit, and they go: "you're not fooling anyone", they know I'm rock and roll through and through. But you know that old thing, live fast, die young? Not my way. Live fast, sure, live too bloody fast sometimes, but die young? Die old. That's the way – not orthodox, I don't live by "the rules" you know.

In saying that, I'd like to thank everyone at Nova 106.9 for creating by far the best work environment I've ever been a part of. Most importantly, I'd also like to thank Dan Anstey for introducing me to radio, Ryan Rathbone for giving me a chance, Dee Curtis for her positive support and Jay Walkerden for his daily dose of creative inspiration.

 

JENA SHAW

BEST NEWCOMER OFF-AIR (C)
2BS & B-Rock, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst Broadcasters

Give us a quick snapshot of your radio background ?

My radio career only started 19 months ago so I would call myself a newbie in the industry but I have found my passion and radio is where I would like to stay. My housemate was the one who suggested to me that I put my name down for this position as receptionist as he believed I had the qualities to exceed in this role. Fifteen months later I find myself forever in his debt as I am not only the Receptionist but also the 2BS Producer and I am currently training in Traffic and Accounts. I do not see what I do as a ‘job’ it is my life and my passion.

What’s the best part of your job ?

Dealing with the unexpected, Each and every day I come to work is different. You never know what to expect or who is going to walk through the front door or who is going to be on the other end of the phone. Also having that face to face contact with the public has allowed me to create a great relationship with the community and bond with people I may not have approach if I was just walking down the street.

What are your key achievements over the past 12 months ?

I had a key role in handling the ‘2BS Ohkuma Sister City Appeal’ which help raised over $73,000 for the residents, following the earthquake and tsunami that destroyed their town in 2011 which I believe is one of my biggest key achievements. Being appointed as the 2BS Afternoon, Breakfast and Saturday Morning Producer is another key achievement in my career.

Your speech, if you were able to make one…

Firstly I need to thank Benny Hope as he was the one who suggested to me that I put my name down for this job and 19 months later I find myself forever in his debt as I would not be where I am today if it was not for him. I would also like to thank our General Manager Phil Cole, and Ron and Stephanie Camplin who have not only guided me along the way but they have also give me continuous amounts of support. I do not see what I do as a ‘job’ it is my life and my passion and I am thankful for everyone who has helped me get to where I am today.

 

LUKE WHITTON

BEST DIRECT SALESPERSON (C)
2GZ FM & STAR FM, Orange NSW, Southern Cross Austereo

Give us a snapshot of your radio background..

After spending 10 years on the road as a B2B account manager I decided it was time to spend a bit of time at home with the family. I had been approached a few times to come into media sales and rejected the offer until it was time to jump in and give it a go. Two and bit years later I’m still here and LOVING it!

In my previous lives, I have sold everything from Mobile phones, real estate, garden power equipment, confectionery and now to air!

I have been involved with many sporting clubs and associations over the past ten years as a committee member, Vice president and now a Board member assisting in the development and operations of AFL in the Central West NSW, this would have to be the main job (unpaid as it is) that has taught me how to deal with situations as they arise in a corporate environment.

What’s the best part of your job ?

The endless opportunities and the fantastic people in our company to work with. I love seeing different client’s every day, it’s the most satisfying feeling to get a call/email from a client telling you how happy they are with their latest commercial or how their friends were listening to the radio and their commercial was heard. When a new client comes along and they are green to the advertising world it excites me to be able to take this “blank canvas” and assist the client to take their product or service to the level they were hoping too or even better exceed expectation.

What are your key achievements over the past 12 months ?

  • Working with my clients to achieve an effective response from their advertising investment and finding different ways to expose them to the risk of being chosen!
  • At least three of my key clients have increased their investment with us by around 100%
  • Pony club – participant in Hong Kong
  • Staying ahead of what most people have described a tough period for our sector.

 

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