ACRAs Finalists Fever – #12
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 ACRAs.
Today we feature, Jonesy & Amanda, Lee Stamps and Eva Bonomelli Let’s Roll Out the Red Carpet….
The ACRAs Finalists Fever – counting down the days to the big event on October 8 by profiling the finalists across all categories. You can get involved by emailing us [email protected]
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN
Jonesy & Amanda’s What ‘Sup Hawaii;WSFM Breakfast Campaigns, WSFM , Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M
Tell us about who is behind the promo…
he team behind Jonesy & Amanda’s What ‘Sup Hawaii campaign vary from producers and directors who have been with WSFM for 10 years, a Campaign Manager who has been with the team for five years, a newcomer in his first year, and of course Jonesy & Amanda who are in their 11thyear on WSFM.
What are the 3 promotions you’re most proud of from the last 12 months ?
1. Jonesy & Amanda’s What ‘Sup Hawaii – as a Jonesy & Amanda first this is definitely the favourite promotion from the last 12 months.
2. Jonesy & Amanda’s Exclusive Easter Show OB – it was great to partner with one of Sydney’s most loved events, especially giving our listeners the opportunity to be the first through the gates on the first day of the show, with an exclusive Breakfast J&A Broadcast, live from the Sydney Royal Easter Show Amphitheatre.
3. WSFM’s Rock the Planet – giving listeners access to some of the biggest acts in the world with 3 trips given away in 3 weeks – Coldplay, Elton John and Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Tell us about your Entry…
Jonesy & Amanda’s What ‘Sup Hawaii came about from Jonesy’s love of stand-up paddleboarding (the world’s fastest growing recreational watersport). So we thought what better way to start the year than taking listeners to the best surfing spot in the world – Hawaii! The campaign ran over four weeks as our first major station promotion for the year, giving listeners the chance to join Jonesy & Amanda in Hawaii where they could go stand-up paddleboarding with Jonesy and shopping with Amanda. To get on the weekly stand by list, listeners had to correctly identify the “Pure Gold Hit” being performed on the ukulele. A major prize winner was then announced each Friday morning for the four weeks in Breakfast.
This campaign was a first for Jonesy & Amanda in their 11 years on WSFM, and being able to experience such a beautiful location with a bunch of amazing listeners was a truly memorable experience.
From this, we formed the idea to explore the stories behind the furniture, and find an interesting tale behind each piece. Some were made from dismantled fishing boats, repurposed railway sleepers, and even dismantled Barn wood. Imagine if the furniture could talk, what tales it would tell about its journey and what would they sound like? Hence the proposition was born “Every piece of furniture has a story to tell at Drovers Inside & Out”. The voices needed to ooze connotations of the type of wood, and the materials it was made from. The fence post became a Texan farm girl, the boat wood a seasoned sea-dog sailor, the railway post a Thomas the Tank Engine ‘Ringo Starr’ inspired voice. The post production process was heaps of fun, creating a story-time like feel to the commercials.
Your speech, if you were able to make one…
Who would have thought Jonesy’s latest obsession would result in us winning an award?! We’d like to thank the entire WSFM team for everything they did on this campaign – whether it was the on-air and Campaigns teams who made it come to life, or the audio producers who recorded hours and hours of ukulele covers, everyone touched this campaign in one form or another. We couldn’t have done it without the support of our Content Director and the Breakfast team who brought it all together! It was a great way to start our year and we enjoyed every minute of it – particularly the cocktails by the beach!
BEST SHOW PRODUCER – ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC & BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR
Lee Stamps; K Rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters NM
Tell us about you..
I’ve been blessed to see every facet of radio over the last 13 years across our incredible country. I started in Commercial Production at “The Hub” in Albury and I have grown and developed within content roles across 4 states. I have been fortunate to work with inspiring and driven radio minds in Launceston, the Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Gippsland, Hobart and now the AMAZING team at Krock in Geelong. If I tallied the amount I spent in rent and removalists over the years, I would probably have 2 house deposits! I wouldn’t change a thing though.
Tell us about your Entries..
I’m pitching myself with one nomination… but two… OMG! So blessed, thank you.
This is my second nomination for Best Show Producer – Music / Entertainment NM (previously nominated in 2013). I am tenacious in chasing an interview and will not be limited by a “provincial” tag. On our Drive Show, we had a survivor from the Brussels Bombing, hours after the attack occurred. We were the first radio station in Australia to speak to the White Moose Café in Ireland when they made headlines around the world for their Facebook posts. We spoke with Samuel L Jackson and Kurt Russell, where we were schooled by Samuel about the iPhone app iPee (it tells you when in a film is the best time to use the loo!) Locally, I arrange stunts for the Drive Show including man vs woman – who is the better driver and work with contacts to reward and surprise members in our community who deserve recognition or just some good fortune.
In my Music Director entry, I focused on my very strong connection with the music industry both locally, in Geelong and with the record and tour companies I work with daily across Australia. We have a passionate and thriving music scene in Geelong and the Surf Coast and I have built up my relationship with local musicians, local touring partners and public relations to maximise the opportunities I can give both parties. My greatest asset is my relationships with Record Companies and Touring Partners. I am very proactive and this is demonstrated daily with the content and music we present on Krock. Along with our station growth in the market because of the music we deliver, our station has an incredible presence in the community. I also work with my amazing team to produce a local music competition that has grown by 200% in entries, audience attendance and publicity over the last 2 years. This is a fantastic initiative to be a part of and demonstrates my ability as music director.
What is the secret to being a great Music Director?
Honesty with Record Companies and PR agencies, unbiased music opinions and love for the emotions music gives you.
Research, listen and respect the product, the music.
You get one… no two, so let rip with the speach,,,
I can’t stop the feeling, so just dance, dance, dance… sorry… the result of scheduling music daily leaves me speaking in song lyrics. As Kelly Clarkson would say – Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Stay passionate, always ask why and what next, and stay humble. I am just as important as Sales, Traffic, Promotions and Creative. It takes a team to make radio happen. Also, my contract states I must thank my illustrious leader Leigh Kuhlmann.
BEST NEWCOMER OFF-AIR
Eva Bonomelli;Nova 93.7, Perth WA, NOVA Entertainment M
What’s your story..
Radio background? No background at all! Embarrassed to say didn’t even know what BMAD or Dayparts were when I first started. I had been working as a Conveyancer so Media is not something I had any information or background on except that I was an avid listener of Nova 93.7 and loved to try and enter the competitions!
So your Entry… whats the story..
My manager nominated me. I didn’t even know I had an entry submitted! So as you can imagine it came as a complete and utter surprise.
Classic…. So what’s the best part of your job?
The people! They are all so amazing, hardworking, supportive and dedicated, I also love knowing you have had a hand in the end result which is having happy clients.
What are your key achievements over the past 12 months?
A key achievement has to be being able to stay on beyond my initial 12 month maternity contract. I didn’t think I would last past the probation period! Coming into the job with no knowledge/background what so ever was a massive challenge. So much goes into the job and it has been an incredibly steep learning curve and that I’m still here part of such a successful team… I still pinch myself!
You win.. you get to speak.. go for it!
Just so incredibly happy to put the world of Real Estate Settlements behind me. To be given a chance to work at Nova, I feel like it hit the employment jackpot joining not only a brilliant workplace but to be part of an awesome team, all of whom have supported me and taught me all that I know so far. I am very thankful that my Managers together with Gary Roberts took a chance on me. Nothing beats going to work every day and loving what you do with people who inspire you.
Are You an ACRAs Finalist?
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 Blair here.