KIIS 106.5’s ‘Social Distancing’ skit wins at The Coronavirus Radio Ideas Awards
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The Australian Radio Network’s (ARN) Sydney station KIIS 106.5 was the only Australian winner at the recent Coronavirus Radio Ideas Awards.
Intern Pete’s March ‘Social Distancing to the Extreme’ video won the Best Social Media Video category.
Winners in other categories came from the UK, Malaysia. Kenya, USA, Scotland, Germany and Spain.
ARN’s head of content across KIIS Sydney and Melbourne, Derek Bargwanna, said of the win: “We are really pleased that our video resonated with so many people, Intern Pete really put social distancing front of mind for us all.”
Nova and Ace Radio were also in the running for awards.
The Awards are the result of a collaboration between radio imaging, voiceover, programming and jingles company, Benztown, and P1 Media, which offers research, strategies and consulting to radio stations worldwide.
They were announced by Radiodays Europe late last week.
Andreas Sannemann, CEO of Benztown, said: “In uncertain times, where the world seems to work entirely remotely, the stress on individuals seems to be at an unparalleled high. In that light, we are especially thrilled to honour the most innovative, influential and creative radio ideas and talent with the Coronavirus Radio Ideas Awards. Thanks to all the radio stations, on-air talent and radio lovers who submitted their ideas. You are impacting your community and society as a whole in a positive and meaningful way.”
Ken Benson, partner at P1 Media Group, said the Coronavirus Radio Ideas Awards all began with an idea.
“Back in mid-March, we felt compelled to do something, somehow, to help radio navigate its way through the oncoming crisis. We knew there was no programming playbook for COVID-19, yet listeners all around the world were depending on radio to keep them informed and entertained through the pandemic. We had a gut feeling that if we could create a hub for stations to share and exchange the brilliant content they were creating, those ideas would inspire other stations, and together we would find our way,” he said.
“Today’s awards were all about recognising radio’s incredible global response to the Coronavirus.”