The ACE Radio Network celebrates its first ACE Awards

In light of the cancellation of commercial radio’s night of nights, the ACRAs, earlier this year, The ACE Radio Network decided it would initiate its own inaugural ACE Awards, recognising excellence not only on-air but across content, digital, sales, scheduling and and culture within the organisation.

The winners from over 21 categories are below. There were well over 100 nominations, with ACE staff gathering across the Country to watch the awards presentation and celebrate with their local teams.

Best Breakfast Show (Regional)

Winner: The Morning Crew with Gabi & Dan (TRFM Gippsland)

Best Breakfast Show (Metro)

Winner: BBQ Bob Gallagher (main image – 4BH Brisbane)

Best Music Presenter (Regional)

Winner: Sarah Grigg (3SH Swan Hill)

Winner: Donna Gladman (95.3 Coast FM Warrnambool)

Best Music Presenter (Metro)

Winner: Gavin Miller (2UE Sydney, 4BH Brisbane, Magic 1278 Melbourne)

Best New Talent On-Air (Regional)

Winner: Abbey Fidge (102.5 Edge FM Deniliquin)

Best On-Air Team including Footy/Sport Shows (Regional)

Winner: Central Murray Live Football Team (3SH Swan Hill)

Best Newsreader or Journalist AM/FM (Regional)

Winner: Emma Clark (3WM/Mixx FM Horsham)

Best Sports Coverage (Regional)

Winner: Central Murray Live Football Team (3SH Swan Hill)

Winner: Grant Kuchel, Brian Cassidy, Daryl Eastwell (3WM Horsham)

Best Contribution to Country Today Network Program

Winner: Daniel Brewer (GOLD 1242 Gippsland)

Winner: Liam McCullagh (3CS Colac)

Creative Categories

Best Client Campaign – Scripted & Produced In-House (Regional/Metro)

Winner: James Thwaites, Ryan Hickey & Leah Wiernik (3CS/Mixx FM Colac) Headspace Colac

Winner: Courtney McIntyre, Ray Adams & Meg Chandler (3HS/Mixx FM Hamilton) Woody’s Cafe – Woody’s Smoking

Best Community Campaign (Regional)

Winner: Courtney McIntyre, Stephen Jones (3HA Hamilton) Vietnam Veteran’s Day

Best Digital Content Execution (Regional/Metro)

Winner: Blake Escott & Gus MacLeod (2AY Albury) O&M Live on 2AY

Sales Categories

Best Direct Sales Execution (Regional/Metro)

Winner: Koby Taylor & Sophie Jackson – (3MP Melbourne) Up, up and away – The Vacay Podcast

Salesperson of the Year (Regional)

Winner: Kelly Schilling (3WM/Mixx FM Horsham)

Salesperson of the Year (Metro)

Winner: Koby Taylor (3MP Melbourne)

Engineering Category

Technical Innovation Award (Regional/Metro)

Winner: Chris Barks (3CS/Mixx FM Colac) The Feud RDS Updater

Operational & Digital Categories

Excellence in Scheduling Award (Regional/Metro)

Winner: Tiarney Henry (TRFM/GOLD Gippsland)

Excellence in Digital Media Award (Regional/Metro)

Winner: Sophie Jackson (3MP Melbourne)

Leadership & Culture Awards

Best Content Director (Regional)

Winner: Tyson Witham (Star FM / Edge FM Wangaratta)

Rising Star (Any Department) (Regional/Metro)

Winner: Chloe Taylor (3SH/Mixx FM Swan Hill)

Staff Member of the Year (Any Department) (Regional/Metro)

Winner: James Thwaites ( 3CS/Mixx FM Colac)

The awards were judged by an external panel of industry peers with judges unable to separate the winners for Best Sports Coverage (Regional). Company Chairman Rowly Paterson and CEO Mark Taylor congratulated their “ACE family” on their efforts over the past 12 months and the wonderful work from all staff within the organisation.