ACRAs winners 2021

The winners of the 32^nd Australian Commercial Radio Awards for 20/21 have been announced.

Best Talk Presenter

2GB’s breakfast host Ben Fordham has won Best Talk Presenter in the 32^nd Australian Commercial Radio Awards (the ACRAS), announced today.

Ben has now won the award six times, but this is his first since moving into the breakfast slot, having previously won for his work in drive.

Best On-Air Team FM

The Kyle & Jackie O Show won Best On-Air Team (Metro FM). The KIIS 1065 breakfast duo, who have been on-air together for 21 years, notched up an impressive record seventh win in the category (2006, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018) and cemented their place as the king and queen of radio.

Best On-Air Team AM

3AW Breakfast with Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft have been named Best On-Air Team in the Metro AM category.

Adman turned broadcaster Howcroft only started his radio career when he joined Stevenson in August last year.

Best Newcomer On-Air

The Best Newcomer On-Air award was taken out by comedian Joel Creasey, who joined Kate Ritchie and Tim Blackwell on Nova Entertainment’s Kate, Tim & Joel drive show a year ago.

The show won the Best Networked Program and Best Syndicated Australian Program awards.

Winners of other major awards:

• Best Entertainment Presenter – Jackie ‘O’ Henderson (KIIS 106.5, Sydney)
• Best Current Affairs Presenter – Neil Mitchell (3AW, Melbourne)
• Best Music Presenter – Chris ‘Becko’ Beckhouse (Triple M, Sydney)
• Best Sports Presenter – Tim Lane (3AW, Melbourne)
• Brian White Award for Radio Journalism – Gareth Parker (6PR, Perth) and Jaclyn Underwood (2BS, Bathurst)
• Best News Presenter FM – Steve Blanda (Smooth FM 95.3, Sydney)
• Best News Presenter AM – Amie Meehan (2GB, Sydney)
• Best Original Podcast (Unbranded) – Zero Waste Baby (Veronica Milsom, Southern Cross Austereo).

Full list of award winners:

• BEST ON-AIR TEAM COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL:
  Stolzy & Damo; Glenn Stolzenhein & Damien Leith, Power FM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant Broadcasters
  Galey, Emily Jade & Christo; Paul Gale, Emily Jade & David Christopher, Hot Tomato, Gold Coast QLD, Grant Broadcasters

• BEST TALK PRESENTER:
  Kris Seabert; 3CS, Colac VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
  Stephen Cenatiempo; 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network P
  Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Nine Radio M

• BEST NETWORKED PROGRAM:
  The Morning Rush; Sean Cullen & Kate Meade, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
  Mike E & Emma; Michael Etheridge & Emma Chow, ARN P
  Kate, Tim & Joel; Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell & Joel Creasey, NOVA Entertainment M

• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER:
  Stephen Cenatiempo; 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network NM
  Neil Mitchell; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Nine Radio M

• BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTER:
  Craig Prichard; 2GN, Goulburn NSW, Capital Radio Network C
  Ellie Angel-Mobbs; Hit 104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA P
  Jackie Henderson; KIIS 106.5, Sydney NSW, ARN M

• BEST MUSIC PRESENTER:
  James Preston; Hit FM Mid North Coast, Port Macquarie NSW, Southern Cross Austereo
  Gemma Maddox; Hit 104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA P
  Chris ‘Becko’ Beckhouse; Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M

• BEST SPORTS PRESENTER:
  Martin Agatyn; 7AD & 7BU, Devonport & Burnie TAS, Grant Broadcasters C
  Jeremy Ryan; Triple M, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P
  Tim Lane; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Nine Radio M

• BEST SYNDICATED AUSTRALIAN PROGRAM:
  Kate, Tim & Joel; Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell & Joel Creasey, NOVA Entertainment

• BEST STATION PRODUCED COMEDY SEGMENT:
  Coles Ninja Warrior; Ben Stevenson, Hit105.5, Coffs Harbour NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C
  Trump does India; David Dollin Triple M, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P
  Wookie; Sam Pang, Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, NOVA Entertainment M

• BEST DIGITAL RADIO FORMAT:
  Little Fox Digital Radio; Gemma Fordham, James Speed, Mathew Eggleston & Aaron Sokolenko, Southern Cross Austereo

• BEST NEWCOMER ON-AIR:
  Krysti Dixon; Hit Mid North Coast, Port Macquarie NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C
  Rob Palmer; Triple M, Central Coast, Gosford NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P
  Joel Creasey; Nova Network, Melbourne VIC, NOVA Entertainment M

• BRIAN WHITE AWARD FOR RADIO JOURNALISM:
  Jaclyn Underwood; 2BS, Bathurst NSW, Super Radio Network NM
  Gareth Parker; 6PR, Perth WA, Nine Radio M

• BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT:
  Goulburn’s Radio Relay; Eagle FM & 2GN, Goulburn NSW, Capital Radio Network C
  Jimmy & Nath’s Climb For Cystic Fibrosis; Jimmy Smith & Nath Roye, Hit 100.9, Hobart TAS, Southern Cross Austereo P
  QLD Eye Institute Foundation’s Last Seen Exhibition; Jeanna Manifold, Hannah Lucas, Andrew Fritsch, Tony Byrne & Matt Dickson, B105, Brisbane QLD, Southern Cross Austereo M

• BEST RADIO SHOW PODCAST:
  Untold Story; Bridget Brousard, Peter Everitt & Sean Flanagan, Triple M, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo NM
  Jonesy & Amanda’s Holiday Book Club; Brendan Jones & Amanda Keller, WSFM, Sydney NSW, ARN M

• BEST ORIGINAL PODCAST – BRANDED:
  NSW Police State Crime Command: Lost at Sea Adam Shand; Grant Tothill, Sarah Grynberg, Matt Nikolic & Michael James, Southern Cross Austereo

• BEST ORIGINAL PODCAST – UNBRANDED:
  Zero Waste Baby; Veronica Milsom, Southern Cross Austereo

• BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE:
  Triple M Newcastle NRL – Knights v Roosters; Michael Hagan, Marc Glanville, Frank Barrett, Matt Rodwell, Jeremy Ryan, Dan Dimmock & Mark Sales, Triple M, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo NM
  State of Origin Decider 2019; The Continuous Call Team, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Nine Radio M

• BEST DOCUMENTARY:
  Geoff Handbury Tribute; Ray Adams, 3HA & Mixx FM, Hamilton VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters NM
  A Tribute to Danny “Spud” Frawley; Triple M Footy, Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

• BEST MUSIC SPECIAL:
  Youth Council Lockdown Music Special; Mal Rock, Real FM, Mudgee NSW, Super Radio Network C
  Gold Coast Runway Gig with Sheppard; Moyra Major & Simon Baggs, Hot Tomato, Gold Coast QLD, Grant Broadcasters P
  Woodstock Moments – 50^th Anniversary; Brad Pottinger, Ian Blackley & Rebecca Payne, 6IX, Perth WA, Capital Radio Network M

• BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – STATION:
  ANZAC Day Broadcast; James Thwaites & Nick Hay, 3CS & Mixx FM, Colac VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
  Hit 90.9’s The Proposal; Hit 90.9 Promotions & Content Teams, Hit 90.9, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
  Guy Sebastian’s Choir Surprise; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie O, KIIS 1065, Sam Vallins & Derek Bargwanna, KIIS 106.5, Sydney NSW, ARN M

• BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – SALES
  Destination Gold Coast’s Play Money Promotion; Kate Ellison & Inger Flathaug, Hit 90.9 & Triple M, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo NM
  Menulog – Hungry KIIS Gotta Eat; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson, Will McMahon, Woody Whitelaw, Agency Sales, Brand Activations & Integration, KIIS Network, ARN M

• BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN:
  ‘Get that Feeling’ Rebrand Campaign; SCA Marketing, Hit Network, Southern Cross Austereo

• BEST STATION PROMOTION:
  The Big Friday Takeaway; Mid North Coast & Coffs Coast Brand & Promotions Team, Hit & Triple M, Port Macquarie NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C
  Rob Thomas Flood Recovery; Triple M, Townsville QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
  Kyle & Jackie O Set You Up For Life; KIIS 106.5 Content & Brand Activations, KIIS 106.5, Sydney NSW, ARNM

• BEST SALES PROMOTION:
  BarRat & Heidi’s Great Australian Dream; John Cranley & Ebony Parke, Sea FM, Maroochydore QLD, EON Broadcasting NM
  Kyle & Jackie O Set You Up For Life; KIIS 106.5 Content & Brand Activations, KIIS 106.5, Sydney NSW, ARNM

• BEST SHOW PRODUCER – ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC:
  Danielle Martin; Triple M, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo NM
  Sonia Jahshan; KIIS 106.5, Sydney NSW, ARN M

• BEST SHOW PRODUCER – TALK/CURRENT AFFAIRS:
  Eddie Williams; 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network NM
  Heidi Murphy; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Nine Radio M

• BEST PROGRAM DIRECTOR:
  Duncan Potts; Triple M, Orange NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C
  Rod Brice; 92.7 Mix FM & 91.9 Sea FM, Maroochydore QLD, EON Broadcasting P
  Sue Carter; GOLD104.3, Melbourne VIC, ARN M

• BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR:
  Jake Powell; Hot 91.1, Sunshine Coast QLD, Grant Broadcasters NM
  Scott Baker-Smith; Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, NOVA Entertainment M

• BEST PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR:
  Zak Davies Mix 106.3 & Hit 104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA NM
  Jordan Marshall; Nova 919, Adelaide SA, NOVA Entertainment M

• BEST NEWS PRESENTER COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL:
  Emma Clark; 3WM & Mixx FM, Horsham VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
  Renee Criddle; i98FM, Wollongong NSW, WIN Network P

• BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO AM:
  Amie Meehan; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Nine Radio

• BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO FM:
  Steve Blanda; smoothfm 95.3, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment

• ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE:
  ARN Dynamic Audio; Bryan Amos, Adam Williams, Craig Marich & the AMA Team, ARN

• BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION:
  John Spelling; 3SH & Mixx FM, Swan Hill VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
  Ethan Kavanagh; Triple M, Gosford NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P
  Jamie Greene; Gold 104.3, Melbourne VIC, ARN M

• BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE:
  Little Moments; Callum Stowers & Nat Marshall, Hit 97.9, Kalgoorlie WA, Southern Cross Austereo C
  Monty’s Place; Mike Little, Shane Bromilow, Ethan Kavanagh & Nat Marshall, Hit Southwest, Bunbury WA, Southern Cross Austereo P
  Westspecs; Matt Dickson, The Studio at SCA, Perth WA, Southern Cross Austereo M

• BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN:
  Blue Bird; Joshua Robins & Ethan Kavanagh, Hit Southwest, Bunbury WA, Southern Cross Austereo NM
  Win a Night Out with Opera QLD; Tony Byrne & Andrew Fritsch, B105, Brisbane QLD, Southern Cross Austereo M

• BEST AGENCY SALESPERSON:
  Chris Fitzgerald; Nine Radio

• BEST DIRECT SALESPERSON:
  Kerrie Dunbar; 2GN & Eagle FM, Capital Radio Network C
  Rachel Brown; River 94.9, Ipswich NSW, Grant Broadcasters P
  Duncan Fosdike; Triple M & SAFM, Southern Cross Austereo M
• BEST STATION SALES ACHIEVEMENT:
  2CA & 2CC Direct Sales Team; 2CA & 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network NM
  Melbourne Direct Sales Team; SEN 1116, Melbourne VIC, SEN M

• BEST NEWCOMER OFF-AIR:
  Jessie Lang; 3CS & Mixx FM, Colac VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
  Rania Yallop; 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network P
  Jenna Benson; WSFM, Sydney NSW, ARN M

Joan Warner, the chief executive officer of awards organizer, Commercial Radio Australia, said: “Congratulations to the winners who have displayed enormous dedication to their listeners and continue to drive live broadcasting to new levels.

“All the radio teams across metro and regional Australia should be very proud of the way they served their communities through the challenges of the past two years.”

The black-tie ACRAS event was scheduled to take place in Sydney in October this year, but was moved to February and subsequently cancelled by the Commercial Radio Australia board due to concerns around COVID.