Winning a Radio Today 30 Under 30 Award: What it did for me

If you needed any convincing that winning a Radio Today 30 Under 30 Award could be your career game changer, you only have to ask those who’ve experienced it first-hand.

Radio Today spoke to five previous winners of the 30 Under 30 Award about the impact it’s had on their careers.

For radio and podcast producer Felix Bray, winning the award has been invaluable, especially in terms of getting his name out there.

“It’s not too common for producers to appear in web search results, but now my mug is front page of Google Images thanks to Radio Today’s 30 Under 30 Awards.”

“Money can’t buy that kind of recognition.”

“Radio Today’s 30 Under 30 Awards put my name in front of the decision-makers in radio and podcasting and allowed me to connect in ways that have thrust me forward in my career. It also gave me an excuse to put a trophy emoji in my Instagram bio (very important).”

Jessica Rouse – News Director at 2HD and NewFM Newcastle – says it was a great privilege to be recognised as one of the 30 Under 30 earlier this year.

“There are so many talented young radio journalists and announcers around Australia and to be up there with the best of them is very cool.”

“I’ve been a radio journalist for nearly 6 years now and being named in the 30 Under 30 Awards showcased locally what I’m capable of, which was beneficial because I had just started my job as News Director at NewFM and 2HD.”

“It also boosted my confidence in putting an entry into the Australian Commercial Radio Awards this year in the news category. For the first time at the ACRAs I was a finalist in that category, which is my passion.”

SCA Digital Content producer Marcel Marais says winning a 30 Under 30 award has been the biggest compliment of his five year radio career.

“Recognising young/up and coming talent is the future of our industry and this award gives us a chance to have tremendous positive impact on our respective corporate strategies, ultimately serving the industry even more.”

Answering questions about yourself can sometimes feel like a daunting process, as SCA Agency Account Manager Sally Cartmell can attest.

But Sally’s glad she persevered.

“Submitting my entry for last year’s 30 under 30 was a pretty uncomfortable experience. I lost count at the amount of times I had to hit the backspace bar, or started over from scratch.”

“Writing about your successes, and “what ‘x’ means to you” is daunting and not something that came easily to me. However, it was by far one of the best things I’ve ever done. As someone who has major imposter syndrome and constantly doubts themself, it was the most rewarding and uplifting feeling to see my name in black & white, on the ‘finalists revealed’ announcement.”

“It gave me an immediate boost of joy, confidence and self-pride.”

Since winning a 30 Under 30 Award, WSFM Digital Content Producer Jenna Benson says things have really taken off:

“I’ve won two ACRA Awards (2021 Best Newcomer Off-Air – Metro & 2022 Best Radio Podcast – Metro) and even launched my own podcast – 2 Girls 3 Cats.”

“The opportunities that have come my way since winning have been endless and I am eternally grateful to have been recognised among other extraordinary young radio enthusiasts.”

“If you’re under 30 and work in radio/audio, please apply. This is an extraordinary opportunity, and I am so blessed to have won in 2021.”

Entries are now open for the awards, which recognise the audio industry’s rising stars across sales, on-air, production, marketing, music, content, news, podcasting, digital and more – from reception to the street crew.

This year it could be you. Register here.