The 2016 ACRAs Winners

The 28th Annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards have been announced at a gala black tie affair at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

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

Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell and Marty Sheargold, NOVA Network national drive show, have won the Best On Air Team (Metro FM), at the 28^th annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards.

The Metropolitan Best On Air Team AM award went to 2GB’s Nights with Steve Price.  Macquarie radio presenter and regular panellist on The Project, Steve has been in journalism for more than 30 years, and is joined every night on the program by opinion maker Andrew Bolt, as they review the news and current affairs. 

For the fifth year running, one of Australia’s most experienced journalists; 3AW’s Neil Mitchell has taken out the Best Current Affairs Presenter award. Best Talk Presenter was taken out for the third year by 2GB’s Ben Fordham and the show’s producer, Harriet Glenn won Best Talk/Current Affairs Producer.

Nova 100’s Sam Pang is this year’s winner of the Best Newcomer On Air..  Sam is a member of the Nova Melbourne breakfast team with Chrissie Swan and Jonathan Brown and as a team they also won the Best Station Produced Comedy Segment .  Hit Network’s Hamish and Andy) won the ACRA for Best Networked Program.  Kent Small of Smallzy’s Surgery on the Nova Network took home the ACRA for Best Music or Entertainment Presenter. Jonesy & Amanda took out best Syndicated Program for My Generation.

Melissa Doyle and Richard Wilkins presenters on the night, picked up the Best Musical Special award on behalf of the entire smoothfm team for the Top 500 Smooth Favourites Countdown (smoothfm, NOVA Entertainment).

 Winners in other major awards announced were:

• Best News Presenter FM – Ange Anderson (Nova 106.9 Brisbane)
• Best News Presenter AM – Anne Stone (FIVEaa, Adelaide NOVA Entertainment)
• Best Sports Presenter – Tim Lane (3AW, Macquarie Radio Network)
• Best DAB+ Digital Radio Format –  Kinderling Kids Radio – Evan Kaldor (SCA)

Lisa Barnes from 6PR, Perth (Macquarie Media Limited) 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.

Cathy O’Connor, chief executive officer of Nova Entertainment who this year celebrates 31 years in the radio industry was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame for her outstanding achievement and contribution to the radio broadcasting industry.One of Australia’s sole female chief executives of a stand-alone major media company, Cathy heads Nova Entertainment which is wholly owned by IIyria Nominees Television, a private investment company of Lachlan Murdoch.  

Chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner said: “Congratulations to all this year’s winners.  Each year, recipients of these awards continue to excel and consistently deliver on providing outstanding radio for millions of listeners throughout the country.

WINNERS FOR 2016 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
Kate, Tim & Marty;Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell & Marty Sheargold, Nova Network, NOVA EntertainmentM

BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO AM

Nights with Steve Price;Steve Price & Andrew Bolt, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media LimitedM

BEST ON-AIR TEAM COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL
Chris & Juelz;Chris Sewell & Juelz Jarry, Star FM, Dubbo NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C

Mike E & Emma;Michael Etheridge & Emma Chow, The Edge, Western Sydney, NSW Australian Radio Network P

BEST ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC PRESENTER

Andy Young;Eagle FM, Goulburn NSW, Capital Radio Network C

Dave Rabbetts;Star 104.5, Gosford NSW, NOVA Entertainment P

Kent ‘Smallzy’ Small;Nova Network, NOVA EntertainmentM

BEST TALK PRESENTER

Kate Vincent-O’Bree;2BS Gold, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst BroadcastersC

Brian Carlton;LAFM, Launceston TAS, Grant Broadcasters P

Ben Fordham;2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media LimitedM

BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER

Stephen Cenatiempo;2NM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant BroadcastersNM

Neil Mitchell;3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Media LimitedM

BEST SPORTS PRESENTER

Nathan Dell;Zinc 96, Gympie QLD, Grant BroadcastersC

Tom King;K Rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P

Tim Lane;3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Media LimitedM

BEST NETWORKED PROGRAM

The Morning Rush;Jon Vertigan, Maria Foundas & Richard Kew, ACE Radio BroadcastersC

Tasmania Talks;Brian Carlton, Grant Broadcasters P

The Hamish & Andy Show;Hamish Blake & Andy Lee, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST SYNDICATED AUSTRALIAN PROGRAM

My Generation;Authentic Entertainment

BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN

hit104.7 Launch;Zak Davies, hit104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCANM

Hamish & Andy Return;Nikki Clarkson & Adam Bower, Hit Network, Southern Cross AustereoM

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE
Embedded Devices in a Broadcasting Environment;Daniel Jackson & Ryland Sandison, Southern Cross Austereo

BRIAN WHITE MEMORIAL
Lisa Barnes;6PR, Perth WA, Macquarie Media Limited

BEST NEWCOMER ON-AIR

Peter Samios;Star FM, Dubbo NSW, Southern Cross AustereoC

Amanda Angiolino;Star FM, Warragul VIC, Southern Cross Austereo P

Sam Pang;Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, NOVA EntertainmentM

BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE

Geelong v Hawthorn – Welcome to the Danger Zone;The K Rock Football Commentary Team, K Rock, Geelong VIC, Grant BroadcastersNM

2015 AFL Grand Final;Triple M Footy, Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST NEWS PRESENTER COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL

Lois Chislet;3YB, Warrnambool VIC, ACE Radio BroadcastersC

Rod McLeod;Gold FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P

BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO FM

Ange Anderson;Nova 106.9, Brisbane QLD, NOVA EntertainmentM

BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO AM

Anne Stone;FIVEaa, Adelaide SA, NOVA EntertainmentM

BEST DIGITAL RADIO FORMAT

Kinderling Kids Radio;Evan Kaldor,Patrick Joyce, Lorna Clarkson, Tim Ritchie, Kylie Little, Shevonne Hunt, Sally Knight, Jason Treuen, Max Gosford, Melanie Valkenburg,  Southern Cross Austereo

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMEDY SEGMENT

Tantrum Song;Jon Vertigan, Maria Foundas & Richard Kew, 3YB, Warrnambool VIC, ACE Radio BroadcastersC

Adele Phone Call;Adam Barratt, Sea FM, Maroochydore QLD, EON Broadcasting P

Avocado;Chrissie Swan, Sam Pang & Jonathan Brown, Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, NOVA EntertainmentM

BEST SHOW PRODUCER – ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC

Nicole Levey;Tanya & Steve for Breakfast, KOFM, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross AustereoNM

Nic McClure;The Kyle & Jackie O Show, KIIS 1065, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio NetworkM

BEST SHOW PRODUCER – TALK/CURRENT AFFAIRS

Melissa Mobbs;Tasmania Talks, LAFM, Launceston TAS, Grant BroadcastersNM

Harriet Glenn;The Ben Fordham Show, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media LimitedM

BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR

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

Dan Hill;Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P

Georgina Ingham-Myers;Nova 106.9, Brisbane QLD, NOVA EntertainmentM

BEST PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR
Justin Williams;102.9 Hot Tomato, Gold Coast QLD, Hot TomatoNM

Natali Brabant;KIIS 101.1, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio NetworkM

BEST PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Michael Moffett;2CS FM & Star FM, Coffs Harbour NSW, Southern Cross AustereoC

Leigh Kuhlmann;K Rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P

Peter Clay;smoothfm, Sydney NSW, NOVA EntertainmentM

BEST DOCUMENTARY

What Is It Like?;Kristen Henry, Mix 106.3, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCANM

Modern Warrior;Merrick Watts, Triple M Network, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
Troy McInnes & Brendan Egan;Zinc 96, Gympie QLD, Grant BroadcastersC

Matt Innes;Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P

Darcy Milne;Nova 96.9, Sydney NSW, NOVA EntertainmentM

BEST MUSIC SPECIAL

David Bowie Tribute Special;George Mihalos, 2XL, Jindabyne NSW, Capital Radio NetworkC

Back To The Future Day;Drew Chapman & Mark Hales, River 94.9, Ipswich QLD, Grant Broadcasters P

Top 500 Smooth Favourites Countdown;David Campbell, Peter Clay, Anna Crotti, Glenn Daniel, Simon Diaz, Melissa Doyle, Travis Evans, Ty Frost, Jennifer Hansen, Kate Mason, Georgie Page, Mike Perso, Lauren Saylor, Bogart Torelli, Byron Webb & Richard Wilkins, smoothfm, NOVA EntertainmentM

BEST STATION SALES ACHIEVEMENTKOFM Sales Team;KOFM, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross AustereoNM

ARN Adelaide Agency Sales;ARN Adelaide, Adelaide SA, Australian Radio NetworkM

BEST AGENCY SALESPERSON

Natalia Papas;Nova 96.9, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment

BEST DIRECT SALESPERSON
Kristy Cooper;2DU, Dubbo NSW, Super Radio Network C

Casey Gould;KOFM & NXFM, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross AustereoP

Brendan Blatt;Fox FM & Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE

Everything Goes With Eggs;Chris Mueller & Dalwinder Nijjar, 5RM, Riverland SA, Grant Broadcasters C

Dad’s Taxi; Ryan Musgrave & Chris Crickmay, Gold FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P

Great Scott; Jonathan Williams & Chris Gates, Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN

Spot-Go;Cameron Horn & Anna Cook, Sea FM, Gosford NSW, Southern Cross AustereoNM

We Don’t Do Husbands;Matt Dickson, Mix 94.5, Perth WA, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST SALES PROMOTION

The Running Of The Brides;Power FM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant BroadcastersC

Carl’s Junior Store Opening;Alana Hall, Cameron Horn & Renee Franckiewicz, Sea FM, Gosford NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P

MLA – Operation Boomerang;Andy Milne, Jessica Roach, Eve Crawshaw, Ashley Minchin, Carlie Millican, Shaun Heron,NOVA EntertainmentM

BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – SALESKyle & Jackie O’s Haunted House;KIIS 1065 Campaigns & Content Team, KIIS 1065, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network

BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – STATION

Rescue With Heart; Heart 107.3, Hobart TAS, Southern Cross AustereoNM

The Ed Sheeran $2 Peep Show Experiment;Hamish Blake & Andy Lee, Hit Network, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST STATION PROMOTION
The Zinc Alice Cooper Golf Day;Cassy Small, Zinc 96, Maroochydore QLD, Grant BroadcastersC

Bay 93.9 Sitar Hero;Bay 93.9, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P

The Race That Slows Down The Nation;The Hamish & Andy Show, Hit Network, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
Wimmera Health Care Group Telethon;Emma Elsom & Mark Sulic, 3WM, Horsham VIC, ACE Radio BroadcastersC

i98FM’s Camp Quality Convoy;i98 Convoy Team, i98FM, Wollongong NSW, WIN P

Radiothon 2015;2UE, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media LimitedM

BEST NEWCOMER OFF-AIR

Alexis LeMasson;2BS Gold & B-Rock FM, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst BroadcastersC

Nikolina Koveska;The Edge, Katoomba NSW, Australian Radio Network P

Jack Charles;Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, NOVA Entertainment