4 weeks of ACRA’s Finalists Fever 2012 #1

It's never been done before and we think it's about time.

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.

The Radio Today team think it's about time to shine a brighter spotlight on the best of the best.

So we're celebrating with Radio Today's 4 weeks of ACRA's Finalists Fever – profiling finalists across all categories.

We kick it off today with Smallzy from Nova, Wighty from Prime Radio, Best Direct Salesperson finalist Anthony Zibara from Star 104.5 and 2Day FM's Imaging guru David Konsky.

DAVID KONSKY

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION (M)
2Day FM, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo

Give us a quick snapshot of your radio background…

Would you believe someone with a bachelor of business and working at Coles Myer in HR is doing radio imaging?

It’s like an actor waiting tables, dreaming of scoring a role in a major. I’d finish at 6pm – go straight to 3MMM to produce up footy promos, finish at midnight and work weekends editing highlights. I even took annual leave from my “day job” to cover those taking annual leave at the FOX and MMM – patiently waiting for a golden opportunity.

Mid 2004 – the commercial position came up at the Fox and after several interviews – it was actually my bachelor of business that impressed Brian Ford and I scored the gig.

That was short lived – a year later I moved to Sydney to work at 2Day. Within three years I moved from the Hot 30, to Kyle & Jack into imaging for 2Day.

What is the best part of your job ?

Nothing is mundane – I’m always challenged and inspired to be creative and better my craft, and working with a team that strives for excellence.

You can’t make a speech on the night but let’s pretend you’ve won, here’s a chance to have your moment in the spotlight (don’t forget to thank anyone)….go for it…. 

To Sidey’s wife Katie – you can thank me for one less trophy to dust in the cabinet. To my wife – get out the chux and spray and wipe!

Thanks to my best mates for starting a community radio show back in the day which introduced me to the world of radio production. Thanks to my best mates that I’ve made in radio today that gave me the opportunity to do something I love everyday.

Here's a bit from his ACRA's entry….

https://radiotoday.com.au/music/DAYLIGHT SAVINGS GILLARD TIMOMATIC SEIZE.mp3
or hear it here

ANTHONY ZIBARA

BEST DIRECT SALESPERSON (P)
Star 104.5, Central Coast NSW, dmg radio australia

Tell us about your background…

It wasn't until I was 33 years old that I decided to get a real job. Well, its been over 4 years now that I've been at Star 104.5 and I still haven't got a real job. Prior to working here all I ever did was work in the family business like a good little wog boy.

In my mind I don't work at Star 104.5 to do Sales. I work at Star 104.5 to do "Business"… and that's what I do for Fun!

What is the best part of your job ?

I have total freedom in what I do every single day and that in my workplace I am surrounded by Creative & Exciting people that drive me to share the Love of what we do to help local & national businesses grow.

Your speech, if you were able to make one…

I'd like to thank 2 people who have helped me to do what I have been doing for over 4 years. Our General Manager, Paul Moltzen and our Creative Director, Matthew Lygoe.
 

ANTHONY WIGHT

MOST POPULAR STATION MANAGER (P)
4MK & Zinc, Mackay QLD, Prime Radio Network
 

Tell us about your background…

Got my first gig as an announcer in the little town of Esperance, on Radio 747. We played such compelling content as 'Buy, swap & sell' and 'religious sunday morning'. Heady days.

I then moved through the ranks of announcing, music directing and ended up as Group Program Director for dmg's regional radio stations in NSW, VIC & SA. Dan Bradley, Dean Buchanan and Mike Perso were tremendous role models & mentors.

From there, an evolution into sales, sales management and ultimately General Managing occurred. Radio has been excellent to me.

What are the 3 things you’re most proud of about your station ?

• Our new location. It's a tremendous, state of the art facility and allows great people to become even better
• The team punch above their weight. We are a small, focused and synergistic team, with our end product always being above the sum of our parts
• Re-invention & creativity. Our team can take watching paint dry, and turn it into a highly compelling promotion, while generating revenue

Your speech, if you were able to make one…

This is not my award, it's the team's. I maybe the person sitting in the chair of a station doing great things, but it's the collective team that make it so, thank you Team. Now, my shout !
 

SMALLZY

BEST MUSIC SPECIAL (M) : Live From Future Music and Live From The 2011 MTV EMA's
Nova 969, Sydney NSW, dmg radio australia

Give us a quick snapshot of your radio background…

I’ve spent most of my career with dmg radio, starting and being part of the launch team at Star 1045 on the Central Coast, then moved to Nova 106.9 in Brisbane and then later on moved to Nova 969 where I host the national nights show Smallzy’s Surgery.

Describe the 2 entries. What was involved and how did it play out on-air ?

Entry number 1 is from our live broadcast from the very first Future Music Festival in Brisbane, we were camped backstage next to a whole bunch of other media outlets interviewing all the stars that were playing the bill this year. The interviews were aired live from backstage.

Entry number 2 is our live special from the UK (Belfast to be exact) for the MTV European Music Awards. I worked the red carpet, and in one show we literally had on air the biggest names in music including, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, David Guetta, Taoi Cruz, Adam Lambert, One Direction, Jessie J, Selina Gomez and Coldplay. TV stars including The Hoff and Snooki from Jersey Shore – when it comes to reflecting pop culture you can’t get any bigger than that line-up. In my opinion it was old-fashioned big event radio.

Smallzy with One Direction
 

You make up 50% of the metro best music special finalists. That’s damn good odds going in. Are you confident you’ll take it out with at least one of these ?

HAHA, I appreciate your confidence, but the other nominees in the category are very strong. In the words of The Hunger Games, the odd’s may ever be in my favour, but that doesn’t mean I’m guaranteed a win. My fingers are crossed though.

You can’t make a speech on the night but let’s pretend you’ve won, here’s a chance to have your moment in the spotlight…

I want to thank EVERYBODY! Actually here's how it plays out… If I win, it was a team effort, the programming team, the production team and the record labels that secured us some extra time with the big acts. If I don’t win, I’ll find someone who was responsible! HA! Joking!! The team takes the wins together and the losses together.

See all the ACRA's fever 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 Mark Hales here