4 weeks of ACRA’s Finalists Fever 2013 #5

There are thousands of hard-working, dedicated and amazingly creative people throughout the radio industry – and every year a small fraction of those people make the short list as a finalist in the ACRA’s.

Just like we did last year, over the next month, Radio Today will shine a spotlight on the best of the best.

4 weeks of ACRA's Finalists Fever – counting down the days to the big event on October 12 by profiling the finalists across all categories. You can get involved by emailing us here.

In #5 we feature a finalist for Best Commercial Campaign, an Agency Sales star from the West, and we start with a Best On-Air Team from The Edge in Sydney.

MIKE E & EMMA

BEST ON-AIR TEAM – COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL
The Edge, Katoomba NSW, ARN

Give us a quick snapshot of your radio background

Mike E: I started out at ARN volunteering when I was 19. I did everything I could from the Street team, mid dawns, Producer for 'The Love God', Music Directing, then eventually a day shift on The Edge. From there I went to Breakfast on The Edge, then Mix Breakfast for a year, 2DAY FM for 8 months before returning to ARN to take over the Breakfast show again on The Edge… it's like home!

Emma: Our PD, Charlie Fox, accidentally discovered me during a phone call. I was interviewing him for a Music Network article and he snatched me up for a guest spot on the Nights show. A year later, I was offered the role of Co-Host/Producer on Mike E & Emma. The Edge 96.ONE has been my one and only radio gig, but I think that's a good thing. It's given me years of practice and fine-tuning.

Here's the audio from their ACRA’s entry
https://radiotoday.com.au/music/ACRAMikeEEmma.mp3
or hear it here

What’s the best part of your job ?

Mike E: I never feel like it is work, we have a unique connection to our listeners and I love interacting with them. The Edge is the best Breakfast radio gig in the country! We communicate to Australia's largest City, but due to our provincial nature we aren't under the stress of the others to deliver ratings gold. So we can take more risks and appeal more directly to our target demographic without constant interference from 'consultants'. Plus I love  going to the beach when everyone is at work!

Emma: Becoming a part of our listeners' everyday routine. We get calls and emails saying they can't start the day without us; that we make them laugh, cry or even yell at the radio. We know we're not curing cancer, but we are making them feel something, and that's pretty cool. Also, no topic of conversation is off limits. It can get awkward, embarrassing, and cheeky… and I love that!

What are your key achievements over the past 12 months ?

We've worked together for the better part of four years now, and to see the way the show has grown and developed over that time is insane. We work hard to create a solid, compelling show and we're getting more feedback than ever before. Even better, our peers are recognising us – this is our second year running to be nominated for Best On Air Team. Now to get the trophy!

You can’t make a speech on the night but you can here. So let’s pretend you won…. what would you say ?

Thank you to the amazing Charlie Fox for his unwavering confidence, encouragement and support, to Geraint Davies for fielding all the complaints, and Ciaran Davis for his long term vision. It's a small team at The Edge, but it's one that we're incredibly proud of.

KRISTY MARSHALL

BEST AGENCY SALESPERSON (M)
Nova 93.7, Perth WA, dmg radio australia

Give us a quick snapshot of your radio background

It’s been almost 3 years since I joined Nova and I can honestly say I absolutely love my job. Prior to working in media, I worked for one of Perth’s biggest Creative Agencies which provided me with a great base of skills to apply to my current role. From writing creative briefs, presenting radio scripts and integrated promotional concepts to attending recording sessions in studio. Now I do all these things in conjunction with a range of Agencies to ensure their clients’ experience with radio is positive and delivers great results in the most effective way possible.

Please outline your ACRA’s entry

I feel that my ACRA entry accurately represents me and the way I like to do business. I am extremely passionate about what I do and my industry but I am also not afraid of challenging the boundaries. That way I know I’ve given things a red hot go and got the best outcome possible for all parties. As outlined in my entry, it’s extremely important in a market like Perth to have solid relationships and I feel this is where I excel.

What’s the best part of your job?

Nova is a workplace that allows me to put my passion to good use. Working in Agency Sales combines my own Agency experience giving me a great understanding of the pressures Agencies work under. It also helps that the people I work with are hilarious so I spend a good part of each day laughing and a happy work place is a productive one.

What are your key achievements over the past 12 months?

• Consistently contributing to a high performing team both in terms of the local market and the DMG network
• Winner of Nova 93.7’s Best Agency Rep of the year
• Becoming a finalist in this year’s ACRA’s is something that I was totally not expecting but really proud of.

You can’t make a speech on the night but you can here. So let’s pretend you won…what would you say?

I’d love to say thank you to Nova for taking a chance on me and providing a fun, happy place to work. I would also like to thank my gorgeous husband for always backing me. He said from the very beginning I would do well in this job, turns out he was right.
 

GARRY DEAN & CARL STEP

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (M)
'Trust Your Ears'
Mix 94.5, Perth WA, Southern Cross Austereo
 

Give us a quick snapshot of your radio backgrounds

Garry (right): Got my big break mid-2010 when I scored this current gig as a Creative Writer for Mix 94.5 & 92.9 … 5,000 odd radio commercials later I’m the Senior Writer in the team.

Carl (below): After a couple of years with Prime Television, I moved to 95.7 Hot FM//963 Radiowest in Bunbury WA as Commercial Producer and then the Network Imaging Producer role. 5 years later, a position at (then) Austereo Perth came up and I’ve been Senior Commercial Producer with (now) SCA for the past 8 years.

Please outline your ACRA’s entry

Garry & Carl: 'Trust Your Ears' is an interactive radio campaign for Western Hearing Services. It features an on-air hearing test that challenges the listener to hear 7 tones at different frequencies across the audible spectrum of human hearing … Plus a collection of misheard song lyrics in the shower to promote water proof hearing aids.

Have a listen :-
https://radiotoday.com.au/music/ACRAWESTERNHEARING.mp3
or hear it here

What’s the best part of your job ?

Garry: I love the euphoric surge you get during that lightning bolt moment when a great idea strikes … and the rush that comes when voice talent bring the idea to life in the recording session. I also get a kick when one of my ads comes on the radio while we’re driving around in the car and I can tell my sons, I made that! It’s extremely satisfying to share ideas with hundreds of thousands of people in the community.

Carl: I LOVE audio – it’s such a creative medium. It’s been the number one thing that has dominated my time over the years. Radio is one of the few working environments where audio is taken seriously. Producing is very rewarding and I get paid to do it so I do feel very fortunate.

What are your key achievements over the past 12 months ?

Garry: I wrote & directed a standout campaign for the 2013 Fremantle Chilli Festival which helped smash the previous year’s ticket sales and attract an extra 7,000 people to the event.

Carl: Key achievements? The other night, I managed to get the key in the front door on first attempt after 17 Guinness’s.

You can’t make a speech on the night but you can here. So let’s pretend you won…. what would you say ?

Garry: I would sing the most famous misheard lyric in my best Jimi Hendrix voice … "Excuse me while i kiss this guy" ! Then i would kiss the award presenter.

Carl: Without Sheemu the Mysterious Whale, this award would not have been possible.

See all the ACRA's fever so far (and 2012's) here.

If you're a finalist in Metropolitan, Non-Metropolitan, Provincial or Country drop us a line and we'll shine the spotlight on you. Email Halesy here.