ACRA’s winners speeches – metro

The ACRA's are done for another year.

You can see the full list of winners here.

In the lead up to the big night we featured 80+ finalists. When we spoke with them we got them to give us the speech they would have made if they were lucky enough to win.

Below are some of the METRO winners and who they would like to thank for their shiny new award….

JONESY & AMANDA

BEST ON-AIR TEAM (METRO FM)
WSFM, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network

We’d have to thank all the girls in the typing pool; Our EP LV, Mindy, Postie, Alex and the good lord. Not to mention ARN.

See the full finalist feature here

DEREK BARGWANNA

BEST PROGRAM DIRECTOR (M)
2Day FM, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo

Huge thanks to my wife Belinda and my family (my kids Boh and Colby) if it wasn’t for these guys I wouldn’t be here. They let me do something I love 24/7!

Everyone at SCA, who are huge supporters and such a brilliant company to work for. They are the true innovators of great content ideas.

And finally team 2DayFM. Every person that works on our brand is a superstar. Dedication and Passion is what it's all about and they live and breathe it every minute of the day.

See the full finalist feature here

NICK CONDON

BEST DIGITAL RADIO FORMAT – SHORT TERM (Elf Radio)
ARN Digital Team, Melbourne VIC, Australian Radio Network
 

It’s not so much about thanking anyone – but recognising what’s going on at ARN…. From the top down there’s a real change that’s been going on and it continues now.

Ciaran and the NLT really give us the freedom to push the boundaries on everything we do – to try new things and give it a go…. Elf Radio & Chemist Warehouse Mix ‘90s is just that. We also need to recognise Peter & the team at Quattro and Mario and his teams at Chemist Warehouse – they took a risk with digital radio and something that had never been done before – but after signing for a second year, it’s really shown how successful the idea was and the further potential for Digital Radio at ARN.

See the full finalist feature here
 

KYLE & JACKIE O

BEST NETWORKED PROGRAM
2Day FM, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo
 

https://radiotoday.com.au/music/KJO ACRA 3.mp3
or hear it here

See the full finalist feature here

CHANTALLE TAYLOR

BEST PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR (M)
2Day FM, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo

It’s a good thing there are no speeches on the night, on the off chance I did win (the competition is stiff), I would be at risk of some verbose monologue thanking my very talented team, Gaby, Nat, Mich and Bron (who deserve a share in this award – it’s a team effort), and a slew of mentors and influences I’ve had the benefit of exploiting over the years. Truth is, I’ve learnt a little from almost everyone I’ve worked for, worked with, or managed, and a lot from a few special mentions – DB, Craig, Jodie, Jane, Keiran, Wade and another DB (yep – there are 2)…. So to you – thank you!

As for any personal thanks… this goes to my wonderful husband Brendan*, for ensuring our competitive spirits do not overcome our ability to enjoy dinner together each night, except those 8 special days each year.

** Brendan Taylor is the Program Director of Nova 969, Sydney

See the full finalist feature here
 

FITZY & WIPPA'S BOB KATTERPULT

BEST STATION PROMOTION (M)
Fitzy, Wippa, Tom Ivey & the Nova Integration Team
Nova, Sydney NSW, dmg radio australia
 

We’ll always remember jumping up and down, screaming, cheering, clapping when the car landed. Our bodies were shaking for at least ten minutes after the throw. It wasn’t because we’d broken the world record, or the awesome pyrotechnics. It was because no one died.

In testing one of the cars flew more than fifty-metres off course. We of course didn’t tell Fitzy & Wippa this.

While this was a team effort, one member in particular lead this campaign from day one. Lynsey Watchman put her blood, sweat and tears literally in to the Katterpult conception and build. She is the reason this campaign and the final event was such a success. Her knowledge of steel, rigging, rust and counterweights increased exponentially during the build. Lynsey was definitely an able foreman on this killer idea which became another shit-hot Nova experience.

On Air, the amazing producers Tom Ivey and Georgie Clarke were able to craft the content with Fitzy & Wippa in a way that held the audience over the three month build process but also didn’t exclude Females from what could have been perceived as a very blokey expedition.

We all know what we do is so much more than just what listeners hear on air. Through our awesome digital team we were able to bring the Katterpult journey to life with everything from song parodies to mockumentaries on what was going on behind the scenes.

We have to thank the listeners too, for embracing the Katterpult wholeheartedly. Their input and passion for the very expensive collection of steel gave us hours on end of brilliant radio and a benchmark for Fitzy & Wippa executions.

And finally – the self proclaimed Captain Katterpult ‘Wippa’ for giving birth to this ACRA winning idea.

See the full finalist feature here

EMMA BLACKWOOD

BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO FM
Triple M, Brisbane QLD, Southern Cross Austereo

Two thankyous – to my QUT lecturers who made broadcast journalism so appealing! When I started my degree I thought I wanted to end up in newspapers – so glad the program at QUT offers such a good grounding in radio, and opportunities to get internships in real radio newsrooms.

And my family and friends who put up with the early starts – “Sorry, can’t go out – school night. Bed by 8pm.”

See the full finalist feature here

RUSTY GRAHAM and SHELLEY KLUM

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE (M)
"Breakdown"
Smooth FM, Sydney NSW, dmg radio australia
 

Shelley: I would like to thank the whole Creative and Production team at Nova 969 and Smooth 953.  You guys are awesome!

Rusty: If I was able to give a speech on the night, I’d say that it’s a shame so many of the best ads written & produced in radio stations all around Australia –  never get to air.

So often our bravest ads get clonked on the head before they get a chance to stand up and get heard. I’d also ask the people on my table not to put anything in my drink while we’re around the back getting our photo taken. And I’d like to apologise for my behavior later in the night.

See the full finalist feature here

SCOTT TONGES

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

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.

See the full finalist feature here

LENA RAPLEY

BEST AGENCY SALESPERSON (M)
ARN National, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network

Too many people have helped me get to this moment in my life, but there are a couple of individuals in particular who have had faith in me and encouraged some major change; My main NZ mentor Keith May. Pete Colosimo and Ash Minchin for their encouragement to ‘keep climbing the mountain’.

See the full finalist feature here