The 2015 ACRAs Winners

The 27th Annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards have been announced at a gala black tie affair at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Winners were announced in 33 categories, across news, talkback, sport and music; as 1000 industry peeps joined to celebrate their achievements.

The Kyle and Jackie O Show, KIIS 1065’s successful breakfast program, has won the Best On-Air Team (Metro FM) category.  Kyle & Jackie O has won the gong in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2013. This one may be just a little sweeter as it’s the first time they have picked one up since joining ARN with KIIS 106.5 in 2014. 

The Kyle and Jackie O Show won an additional award for Best Station Promotion for the Kyle & Jack Give Back Wedding, which saw the radio stars give a struggling young Sydney couple the wedding of their dreams, including a surprise live performance by international superstar Ed Sheeran.   

Winner of the Best On-Air Team (Metro AM) was won by 3AW Melbourne’s top rating breakfast team, Ross Stevenson and John Burns.  Continuing to dominate their timeslot in Melbourne, with more than 108 survey wins, this is their fourth Best On-Air Team (AM) award, having taken out the category in 2011, 2013 and 2014.  

Best Current Affairs Presenter was won by 3AW’s Neil Mitchell.  Mitchell, who was inducted into radio’s Hall of Fame in 2007, has won this category four years running, plus an additional two Best Talk Presenter awards.  This year’s Best Talk Presenter was won for the second year running by 2GB’s Ben Fordham.  Radio’s Best Newcomer on air was won by Triple M Sydney’s Paul Gallen, captain of the Cronulla Sharks and New South Wales’ State of Origin team.  

Nova’s drive team, Kate, Tim & Marty (Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell & Marty Sheargold, Nova Network, Nova Entertainment) won the award for Best Networked Program, and Tim Blackwell took home an additional ACRA for Best Music or Entertainment Presenter. Last year’s winners of Best On Air Team (FM) Amanda Keller and Brendan Jones, better known as WS FM101.7 Sydney breakfast duo Jonesy & Amanda, took out best Syndicated Program for their national weekly show My Generation.

Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa  won the Best Community Service Project award for the Fitzy & Wippa’s Barry the Parody Bear promotion. 

Winners in other major awards announced were:

·         Best News Presenter FM – Ron Wilson (smoothfm, Nova Entertainment)

·         Best News Presenter AM – Anne Stone (FIVEaa, Nova Entertainment)

·         Best Sports Presenter – Tim Lane (3AW, Macquarie Radio Network)

·         Best Musical Special – Richard Wilkins & Michael Buble (smoothfm, Nova Entertainment)

·         Best DAB+ Digital Radio Format – Triple M Modern Rock Digital ( Southern Cross Austereo)

Stephen Centatiempo, News Director and Mornings Announcer at Radio Hunter Valley 2NM (Grant Broadcasters) won the Brian White Memorial award which recognises sustained achievement and effort across news, current affairs, entertainment and sports reporting. The award includes a fellowship exchange with Mediacorp, Singapore’s largest broadcaster.

Radio veteran and award winning journalist, Jeremy Cordeaux was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame.   The Sydney born but undisputed king of talkback radio in Adelaide was honoured for his outstanding lifetime achievement and contribution to the radio broadcasting industry.  With a career spanning more than 50 years across radio, television and print, plus extensive work for Australian charities, Cordeaux’s career started in radio as an office boy and moved on air as a presenter, then into management as a programme manager, managing director and owner of three successful radio stations. Cordeaux remains on air presenting afternoons on FIVEaa in Adelaide.

Commercial Radio Australia CEO Joan Warner said: “Live and local radio continues to grow across Australia. Congratulations to the recipients of these awards, who provide millions of listeners throughout the country with engaging content.”

 WINNERS FOR 2015 AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL RADIO AWARDS (ACRAs)

Please note: Category Finalists are denoted with the following letters:

Country>Provincial>Non-Metropolitan>Metropolitan

BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO FM
Kyle & Jackie O Show; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson, KIIS 1065, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio NetworkM

BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO AM

3AW Breakfast; Ross Stevenson & John Burns, 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Radio NetworkM

BEST ON-AIR TEAM COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL
The Morning Rush;Jon Vertigan & Maria Foundas, 3YB, Warrnambool VIC,ACE Radio BroadcastersC
Galey, Ross & Charli for Breakfast; Paul Gale, Charli Robinson & Ross Wallman, Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross AustereoP

BEST ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC PRESENTER

Ashleigh Blucher; Power FM, Bega NSW, Grant Broadcasters C

Brad Wood; Sea FM, Central Coast NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P

Tim Blackwell; Nova Network, Nova Entertainment M

BEST TALK PRESENTER

Kate O’Bree;2BS, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst Broadcasters C

Mark Parton;2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network P

Ben Fordham;2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Radio Network M

BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER

Mark Parton; 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio NetworkNM

Neil Mitchell; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Radio NetworkM

BEST SPORTS PRESENTER

Jock Brady; 3CS, Colac VIC, ACE Radio BroadcastersC

Phil Small; 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio NetworkP

Tim Lane; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Radio NetworkM

BEST NETWORKED PROGRAM

Country Today; Don Plenty, ACE Radio BroadcastersC

The Noise; Grant Broadcasters P

Kate, Tim & Marty; Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell & Marty Sheargold, Nova EntertainmentM

BEST SYNDICATED AUSTRALIAN PROGRAM

My Generation;Authentic Entertainment

BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN

WSFM Pure Gold Campaign;ARN Marketing Team, WSFM, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE
Radio Datacast; Dale Sharp, Mix FM & Sea FM, Maroochydore QLD, EON BroadcastingNM

Nova’s Red Room Global Tour; Robert Zamora & John Pearce, Sydney NSW, Nova EntertainmentM

BRIAN WHITE MEMORIAL
Stephen Cenatiempo; 2NM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant Broadcasters

BEST NEWCOMER ON-AIR

Claire Humphery; Snow FM, Jindabyne NSW, Capital Radio NetworkC

Clare Todhunter; Sea FM, Central Coast NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P

Paul Gallen; Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST NEWCOMER OFF-AIR

Justine Blacklock;Star FM, Dubbo NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C

Hannah Schadel;Star FM, Gosford NSW, Nova Entertainment P

Sophie Azzopardi;2day FM & Triple M 104.9, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE

2014 AFL Preliminary Final; The K-Rock Football Commentary Team, K-Rock, Geelong VIC, Grant BroadcastersNM

2014 AFL Grand Final; 3AW Football, 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Radio NetworkM

BEST NEWS PRESENTER COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL

Sarah Weir; Hot FM, Tablelands QLD, Southern Cross AustereoC

Rod McLeod; Gold FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross AustereoP

BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO FM

Ron Wilson; smoothfm, Sydney NSW, Nova EntertainmentM

BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO AM

Anne Stone; Fiveaa, Adelaide SA, Nova EntertainmentM

BEST DIGITAL RADIO FORMAT

Triple M Modern Rock Digital; Jaime Chaux & Jacqui Kassulke, Adelaide SA & Perth WA, Southern Cross Austereo

BEST SHOW PRODUCER – ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC

Russell Torrance; Wave FM’s Hot Breakfast, Wave FM, Wollongong NSW, Grant BroadcastersNM

Laura Viglino; Jonesy & Amanda, WSFM, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio NetworkM

BEST SHOW PRODUCER – TALK/CURRENT AFFAIRS

Eddie Williams;Canberra Live, 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network NM

Harriet Glenn;Sydney Live with Ben Fordham, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Radio Network M

BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR

Gemma Maddox; Max FM, Taree NSW, Super Radio NetworkC

Kiri Martin; Sea FM, Gosford NSW, Southern Cross AustereoP

Georgina Ingham-Myers; Nova 96.9, Sydney NSW, Nova EntertainmentM

BEST PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Dave Drinkell; 3YB, Warrnambool VIC, ACE Radio BroadcastersC

Ross Turner; 7HO FM, Hobart TAS, Grant BroadcastersP

Mike Fitzpatrick; Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMEDY SEGMENT

Raising the Rugrats Cup; Jon Vertigan, 3YB, Warrnambool VIC, ACE Radio BroadcastersC

Speak Up Granny; Luke Bradnam, Hot Tomato, Gold Coast QLD, Hot TomatoP

Peppa Pig Reboot; Dave Thornton, Jerimiah Busniak & Dan Anstey, Hit 101.9 Fox FM, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Newcastle Earthquake 25th Anniversary; Nick Blanch, David Dollin, Ross McClymont, Nik Lawson & Mark Brewer, KOFM, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross AustereoNM

Diary Of An Anzac;Tony Peterson, Cameron Forsyth, Chris Gregson & Matthew Summerill, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Radio Network M

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
Sophie Jackson;3HA & Mixx FM, Hamilton VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Jaxson McLennan; Star FM, Gosford NSW, Nova EntertainmentP
Sideshow Mike Andersen; Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST MUSIC SPECIAL
OzMade for the 2014 ARIAs; Henry James, Sea FM, Devonport TAS, Grant BroadcastersC
Aussie Thongs Weekend; Al Dobie, Dennis Guthrie & Chris Crickmay, Gold FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross AustereoP
Richard Wilkins & Michael Buble; Richard Wilkins, Peter Clay & Travis Evans, smoothfm, Nova Entertainment M

BEST STATION SALES ACHIEVEMENT
Sea FM & Mix FM Sales Team; Mix FM & Sea FM, Maroochydore QLD, EON BroadcastingNM
ARN Brisbane Agency Sales Team; KIIS Network, Brisbane QLD, Australian Radio NetworkM

BEST AGENCY SALESPERSON
Kim Kerton; Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, Nova Entertainment

BEST DIRECT SALESPERSON
Daniel Brewer; EasyMix 1467 AM, Mildura VIC, Grant BroadcastersC
Casey Gould; KOFM & NXFM, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross AustereoP
Chelsea Teelow; hit107 & Triple M, Adelaide SA, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE

Stiletto Boots; Mena Soliman & Tony Dean, 5RM, Riverland SA, Grant Broadcasters C

ShedBoss Joke; Nick Giesen & Jacinta Keally, Sea FM, Gladstone QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P

Westspecs – Shart; Matt Dickson & Carl Step, Mix 94.5, Perth WA, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN

East Coast Juices;Cameron Horn, David Horspool & Anna Cook, 2GO, Gosford NSW, Southern Cross AustereoNM

Bucket O Beef;Darren Russell & Eddie Bye, Fiveaa, Adelaide SA, Nova EntertainmentM

BEST SALES PROMOTION
Honda Lovin’; Bron Davey, Leilani Vakaahi, Benny Hope & Libby Daniewska, B-Rock, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst BroadcastersC
Galey, Ross & Charli’s $30k Buried Treasure; Emma Drennan, Andrea Hodgetts & Matt Innes, Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Lion King FM; 973FM, Brisbane QLD, Australian Radio NetworkM

BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – SALES
IKEA;Michael Dargan, Tim Ross and Alex Dalrymple, KIIS Network, Australian Radio Network

BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – STATION
Sea FM Relaunch; Kasey Radatti, Sea FM, Maroochydore QLD, EON BroadcastingNM
Nova’s Insta Party; Jay Walkerden, Dee Curtis & Matt Jones, Nova 106.9, Brisbane QLD, Nova EntertainmentM

BEST STATION PROMOTION
Power Fm’s Schools Breakfast; Power FM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant Broadcasters C
Room Rules; Hot FM, Townsville QLD, Southern Cross AustereoP
Kyle & Jack Give Back Wedding; KIIS 1065, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M

BEST PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR
Stephanie Zalfelds; Sea FM & 2GO, Central Coast NSW, Southern Cross AustereoNM
Tim Dwyer; Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
East Coast Radiothon for Snowy Hydro SouthCare; Kim Gardner, 2EC, BegaNSW, Grant BroadcastersC
i98FM’s Camp Quality Convoy; i98fm Convoy Team, i98 FM, Wollongong NSW, WIN NetworkP
Fitzy & Wippa’s Barry The Parody Bear; Ryan Fitzgerald, Michael Wipfli, Carlie Millican & Alison Eveleigh, Nova 96.9, Sydney NSW, Nova EntertainmentM