The winners from the 2017 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) were announced at a Melbourne event on Saturday night.
2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley has become the most celebrated radio announcer in the history of the Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs), this year winning the Best Talk Presenter, Best Sports Event Coverage, Best On-Air Team (Metro AM), as part of the Continuous Call Team and an induction into the Hall of Fame, taking his total awards to 30 throughout his 36-year radio career. Hadley seemed like he was onstage as much as the hosts.
Hadley and WSFM’s Amanda Keller were both inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame for their outstanding lifetime achievement and contribution to the radio broadcasting industry.
For the second year running, Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell and Marty Sheargold won the Best On-Air Team (Metro FM). Onstage accepting the award, Sheargold admitted he felt pretty good about the chance of going for a three-peat in 2018.
3AW’s Neil Mitchell won the prestigious and hard-fought Brian White Award for Radio Journalism, bringing his career ACRA total to 20. Recent winners of the award have included Glenn Daniel, Deborah Clay and Lisa Barnes. Best Current Affairs presenter was won this year by 2GB’s Ben Fordham, a three-time winner of Best Talk Presenter.
Hit Network’s Hamish and Andy (Hamish Blake and Andy Lee), who have been celebrating their last year in radio throughout 2017, won the Best Station Produced Comedy Segment and Best Station Promotion taking their ACRA career total to 11. Smallzy (Kent Small), host of Smallzy’s Surgery and celebrating 10 years with Nova Entertainment, was awarded the ACRA for Best Music or Entertainment Presenter for the second year running.
2GB sports presenter Erin Molan won the Best Newcomer On-Air award and also picked up the Best On-Air Team (AM) as part of The Continuous Call Team (Ray Hadley, Bob Fulton, Darryl Brohman, Erin Molan, David Morrow, Mark Riddell, Chris Warren & Mark Levy). Erin’s the first female to join the 2GB Continuous Call Team full-time in the show’s 31-year history.
Winners of other major awards included:
• Best Networked Program – The Kyle & Jackie O Show; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson (ARN)
• Best Syndicated Program – Boxed In; Fifi Box (Fox FM Hit Network)
• Best Sports Presenter – Peter Sterling (Triple M Sydney)
MORE: Ray Hadley & Amanda Keller inducted into Radio Hall of Fame
Please note: Category Finalists are denoted with the following letters:
Country>Provincial>Non-Metropolitan>Metropolitan>Syndication/Production Company
BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO FM
Kate, Tim & Marty; Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell & Marty Sheargold, Nova Network, NOVA Entertainment M
BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO AM
The Continuous Call Team; Ray Hadley, Erin Molan, Darryl Brohman, Bob Fulton, David Morrow, Mark Riddell, Chris Warren & Mark Levy, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M
BEST ON-AIR TEAM COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL
Amber & Billows; Amber Wheatland & Michael Billings, Sunraysia’s Hit 99.5, Mildura VIC, Southern Cross Austereo C
Flan & Emily Jade with Christo; Sean Flanagan, Emily Jade O’Keefe & David Christopher, 102.9 Hot Tomato, Gold Coast QLD, Hot Tomato P
BEST ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC PRESENTER
Brady Ellis; Magic 89.9, Port Lincoln SA, Grant Broadcasters C
Dave Rabbetts; Star 104.5, Gosford NSW, NOVA Entertainment P
Kent ‘Smallzy’ Small; Nova Network, NOVA Entertainment M
BEST TALK PRESENTER
Stephen Cenatiempo; 2NM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant Broadcasters C
Chris Coleman; 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network P
Ray Hadley; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M
BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER
Tim Shaw; 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network NM
Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M
BEST SPORTS PRESENTER
Jock Brady; 3CS & Mixx FM, Colac VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Tom King; K rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P
Peter Sterling; Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M
BEST NETWORKED PROGRAM
The Morning Rush; Jon Vertigan & Kate Meade, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Ned & Josh; Ned Breward & Josh Torney, Southern Cross Austereo P
The Kyle & Jackie O Show; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson, Australian Radio Network M
BEST SYNDICATED AUSTRALIAN PROGRAM
Boxed In; Fifi Box, Southern Cross Austereo
BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Triple M Only One Campaign; SCA Regional, Regional Triple M Network, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo NM
smooth Festival of Chocolate; Kathrine Holland, Luke Minto, Damien Weekes & Luke Wilson, smoothfm, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE
Studio Clock Display System; Matt Paton, 4TO FM & hit103.1, Townsville QLD, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Android OB Kits: Customisation Without Cost; Phil Elzerman & Cameron Roberts, Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M
BRIAN WHITE AWARD FOR RADIO JOURNALISM
Neil Mitchell; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Media Limited
BEST NEWCOMER ON-AIR
Billy Bradley; Eagle FM, Goulburn NSW, Capital Radio Network C
Jessica Farchione; hit96.9, Shepparton VIC, Southern Cross Austereo P
Erin Molan; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M
BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE
2CC Raiders Call Team; Phil Small, Chris O’Brien, Joe Prevedello & Scott Freeman, 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network NM
2016 NRL Grand Final; Ray Hadley & The Continuous Call Team, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M
BEST NEWS PRESENTER COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL
Georgia Holland; 2XL, Jindabyne NSW, Capital Radio Network C
Caitlin Unger; Star 104.5, Gosford NSW, NOVA Entertainment P
BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO FM
Steve Blanda; smoothfm, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M
BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO AM
David Armstrong; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Media Limited M
BEST DIGITAL RADIO FORMAT
Buddha Radio; Adam Williscroft & Michael McPhee, Melb/Bris/Syd/Ade/Perth VIC/QLD/NSW/SA/WA, Southern Cross Austereo
Elf Radio; iHeartRadio Content Team, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMEDY SEGMENT
The Family Camping Holiday Handicap; Jon Vertigan, 3YB, Warrnambool VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Kiwi Siri; Todd Stevens, Power FM, Nowra NSW, Grant Broadcasters P
Australia’s Best Bloke; Hamish Blake & Andy Lee, The Hit Network, Southern Cross Austereo M
BEST SHOW PRODUCER – ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC
Matthew Heap; Kristen & Rod, Mix 106.3, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA NM
Bruno Bouchet; The Kyle & Jackie O Show, KIIS 1065, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M
BEST SHOW PRODUCER – TALK/CURRENT AFFAIRS
Eddie Williams; 2CC Breakfast with Tim Shaw, 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network NM
Katie Dower; Afternoons with Denis Walter, 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Media Limited M
BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR
Jack Tree; Snow FM, Jindabyne NSW, Capital Radio Network C
Trent Towson; hit90.9 Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Georgina Ingham-Myers; Nova 106.9, Brisbane QLD, NOVA Entertainment M
BEST PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR
Cassie Grentell; Star 104.5, Gosford NSW, NOVA Entertainment NM
Natalie Storer; KIIS 101.1, Melbourne VIC, Australian Radio Network M
BEST PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Peter Samios; hit93.5, Dubbo NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C
Corey Kay; hit90.9 Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Jay Walkerden; Nova 106.9, Brisbane QLD, NOVA Entertainment M
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Braden’s Story; Ryan Jon, Tanya Hennessy & Joe Gleeson, hit104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA NM
Solider On Special for ANZAC Day; Mick Molloy, Dave Collins & Jay Mueller, Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
Darcy Thomson; 3HA & Mixx FM, Hamilton VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Chris Crickmay; 92.5 Gold FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Chris Davis; KIIS Network, Australian Radio Network M
BEST MUSIC SPECIAL
A Coldplay Kind of Christmas; Joseph Groth, Regional Hit Network, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo C
Whispering Jack Turns 30; George Mihalos, 2CA, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network P
Mothers who Rock; Amanda Keller, Suze DeMarchi & WSFM Content Team, WSFM, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M
Something So Strong: Celebrating 30 Years of Crowded House; Barry Bissell, Jeff Jenkins & Andy Wells, Melbourne VIC, Andy Wells Media S/PC
BEST STATION SALES ACHIEVEMENT
River 1467 Team; River 1467, Mildura VIC, Grant Broadcasters NM
Brisbane Agency Sales; 97.3FM, Brisbane QLD, Australian Radio Network M
BEST AGENCY SALESPERSON
Simon Mikulich; Nova 93.7, Perth WA, NOVA Entertainment
BEST DIRECT SALESPERSON
Kristy Cooper; 2DU & ZOO FM, Dubbo NSW, Super Radio Network C
Shannon Vamvoukis; C91.3, Campbelltown NSW, WIN Network P
Duncan Fosdike; hit107 & Triple M, Adelaide SA, Southern Cross Austereo M
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE
Glenn Howell Optometrist; Ray Adams & Darcy Thomson, 3HA & Mixx FM, Hamilton VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Sandals with Socks; Matt Lygoe, Star 104.5, Gosford NSW, NOVA Entertainment P
Bieber; Matt Dickson, The Studio at SCA, National, Southern Cross Austereo M
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN
New York Pizza Bar; Marc Dwyer & Matt Lygoe, Star 104.5, Gosford NSW, NOVA Entertainment NM
Everyday; Garry Dean & Drew Barrett, Nova 93.7, Perth WA, NOVA Entertainment M
BEST SALES PROMOTION
hit93.5’s Live Rent Free; Peter Samios, Victoria Duncan, Jason Strozkiy & Juelz Jarry, hit93.5, Dubbo NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C
NXFM’s Plane OB; hit106.9 Promotions Team, hit106.9, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P
Vodafone Powers Nova; NOVA Entertainment Sydney Team, Nova Network, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M
BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – SALES
Clennett’s Mitre 10 Rescue with Heart; 107.3 Triple M Hobart Team, 107.3 Triple M, Hobart TAS, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Kyle & Jackie O’s Bad Sweater Day; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson, Network Activations, Commercial & Content Teams, KIIS Network, Australian Radio Network M
BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – STATION
hit104.7 Skyfire 2017; hit104.7 Promotions & Content Team, hit104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA NM
Nova’s Red Room with Ed Sheeran Live From Sydney Opera House; Nova’s Red Room Project Team, Nova Network, NOVA Entertainment M
BEST STATION PROMOTION
#BringTheLogiesToDubbo; Chris Sewell, Juelz Jarry, Peter Samios, Justine Blacklock & Joel Scalzi, Star FM, Dubbo NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C
hit90.9 Sea FM Fertility Week; hit90.9 Sea FM Team, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
The People’s Cruise; Hamish Blake & Andy Lee, The Hit Network, Southern Cross Austereo M
BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
Bathurst Relay for Life; The B-Rock Crew, B-Rock FM, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst Broadcasters C
i98FM Illawarra Convoy; Marty Haynes, Tia Davis, Mark Rigby, Fairlie Hamilton, Ryan Cram, Asa Schuster & Natasha Muir, i98FM, Wollongong NSW, WIN Network P
Saving Ziad; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson, KIIS 1065, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M
BEST NEWCOMER OFF-AIR
Nathan Whittle; 7AD & Sea FM, Devonport TAS, Grant Broadcasters C
Sarah Morrison; 7HO FM, Hobart TAS, Grant Broadcasters P
Taylah Hill; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M
HALL OF FAME
Ray Hadley
HALL OF FAME
Amanda Keller