Highlights of the 2024 ACRA Awards: Ben Fordham crowned Individual Talent of the Year, Jonesy & Amanda win Best On-Air Team (Metro), and Hannah’s Story claims Podcast of the Year.
Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller, have been named Best On-Air Team (Metro) at the 35th annual Australian Commercial Radio & Audio (ACRA) Awards, held at The Star, Sydney. This marks the fifth time the WSFM stars have won the coveted title, taking home the award in 2012, 2014, 2019, and 2023.
Ben Fordham, the voice behind 2GB’s Sydney breakfast show, was honoured as Individual Talent of the Year (Metro) in recognition of his outstanding impact on Australian radio. He also took home the Best Talk Presenter (Metro) award for the second consecutive year.
The Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power (ARN) continued its dominance, winning Best Networked Show, while Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne of Life Uncut were awarded Podcast Host(s) of the Year for their candid conversations that have captured audiences across Australia.
‘ACRA winners are setting the bar for excellence’
CRA chief executive officer Lizzie Young praised the winners, saying, “These awards recognise the talent, passion, and creativity that drive the audio industry forward. From impactful local news to engaging entertainment, the ACRA winners are setting the bar for excellence in Australian radio and audio.”
Lizzie Young
The prestigious Gudinski Award for Australian Music Champion was presented to Triple M Homegrown with Matty O (SCA). Honouring the late Michael Gudinski, the award celebrates outstanding contributions to Australian music, and Matty O’s dedication to showcasing local talent has made Triple M Homegrown a key platform for artists.
The podcasting world also celebrated major wins, with Hannah’s Story (9Podcasts, Nine Radio) named Podcast of the Year. The true crime sensation, produced by Jess Lodge, Melissa Downes, and Adam Buncher, has captivated listeners across the country.
Australia’s love for audio in all forms was also recognised with awards for innovation, including iHeartTrivia (iHeartRadio Team) winning Most Innovative DAB Format and The Reporter True Stories (6PR, Nine Radio) winning Best Podcast by a Radio Show.
Individual Talent of The Year – Metro: Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio at ACRA’s 2024, The Star Sydney
Key 2024 ACRA Awards Winners:
• Best On-Air Team (Metro): Jonesy & Amanda, WSFM, Sydney NSW, ARN
• Individual Talent of the Year (Metro): Ben Fordham, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Nine Radio
• Best Networked Show: The Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power, KIIS Network, Sydney NSW, ARN
• Best Talk Presenter (Metro): Ben Fordham, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Nine Radio
• Podcast of the Year: Hannah’s Story, 9Podcasts, VIC, Nine Radio
• Podcast Host(s) of the Year: Brittany Hockley & Laura Byrne, Life Uncut, ARN/iHeart, Sydney NSW
• Best Podcast by a Radio Show: The Reporter True Stories, 6PR, Perth WA, Nine Radio
• Most Innovative DAB Format: iHeartTrivia, iHeartRadio Team, NSW, ARN
2024 ACRA Awards Full Winners List
ENTERTAINMENT & TALENT
BEST ON AIR TEAM (METRO)
Jonesy & Amanda; Brendan Jones, Amanda Keller, WSFM, Sydney, NSW, ARN
BEST ON AIR TEAM (PROVINCIAL)
Flan, Ali & Spida; Sean Flanagan, Ali Plath, Spida Everitt, 92.5 Triple M Gold Coast, Gold Coast, QLD, SCA
BEST ON AIR TEAM (COUNTRY)
Mixx Brekky with Jimmy & Lippi; Matt Lipiarski, James Thwaites; Mixx FM, Colac, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters
INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (METRO)
Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (PROVINCIAL)
Katie Woolf; Mix 104.9, Darwin, NT, ARN
INDIVIDUAL TALENT OF THE YEAR (COUNTRY)
Courtney McIntyre; Mixx FM, Hamilton, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters
BEST PROGRAM/CONTENT DIRECTOR (METRO)
Luke Davis; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
2GB Continuous Call team in Las Vegas – 2GB content director Luke Davis (left) with Mark Riddell, Mark Levy, Darryl Brohman and Josh Morris
BEST PROGRAM/CONTENT DIRECTOR (NON METRO)
Brendon ‘Whippy’ Dangar; 1029 Hot Tomato, Gold Coast, QLD, ARN
BEST NETWORKED SHOW
Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson; KIIS Network, ARN
Best Networked Show – National: The Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power; KIIS Network Sydney, NSW, ARN at ACRA’s 2024, The Star Sydney
BEST MUSIC HOST (METRO)
‘Ugly’ Phil O’Neil; WSFM, Sydney, NSW, ARN
BEST MUSIC HOST (PROVINCIAL)
Cam Hilder; i98FM, Wollongong, NSW, WIN Network
BEST MUSIC HOST (COUNTRY)
Sarah Grigg; Mixx FM Swan Hill, Swan Hill, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters
THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (METRO)
Andrew ‘Hayesy’ Hayes; Nova 919, Adelaide, SA, NOVA Entertainment
THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (PROVINCIAL)
Tubes Taylor; 107.3 Triple M Hobart, Hobart, TAS, SCA
THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (COUNTRY)
Nicholas Groer; Chilli North East, Launceston, TAS, ARN
BEST NEW TALENT OFF AIR – RADIO (METRO)
Ella Kanna; KIIS 1065, Sydney, NSW, ARN
BEST NEW TALENT OFF AIR – RADIO (NON METRO)
Leesa Singleton; 864 Triple M Toowoomba/Darling Downs, Toowoomba, QLD, SCA
STATION OF THE YEAR (METRO)
2GB; Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
STATION OF THE YEAR (NON-METRO)
1029 Hot Tomato; Gold Coast, QLD, ARN
BEST COMEDY SEGMENT (NON METRO)
Hans The Aldi Mole; Sam Archie Arenson, Henry Bretz, Power100, Townsville, QLD, ARN
Best Comedy Segment – Metro: Aussie We Didn’t Start The Fire; Ben Harvey, Belle Jackson, Liam Stapleton, NOVA 100, Melbourne, VIC, NOVA Entertainment at ACRA’s 2024, The Star Sydney
BEST COMEDY SEGMENT (METRO)
Aussie We Didn’t Start The Fire; Ben Harvey, Liam Stapleton, Belle Jackson, Nova 100, Melbourne, VIC, NOVA Entertainment
Best On-Air Team – Metro: Jonesy & Amanda; Brendan Jones, Amanda Keller, WSFM, Sydney, NSW, ARN at ACRA’s 2024, The Star Sydney
SALES & MARKETING
SALES TEAM OF THE YEAR (NATIONAL)
Adelaide Direct Sales Team; Adelaide, SA, NOVA Entertainment
SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR (METRO)
Isabella Lorimer; Sydney, NSW, ARN
SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR (NON METRO)
Leigh Irwin; Hot Tomato Southport, NSW, ARN
MOST CREATIVE SALES SOLUTION (METRO)
Zooper Dooper Mission Space Freeze; Cam Busby, Sophie Hudson, Aaron Joseph, Melbourne, VIC, SCA
MOST CREATIVE SALES SOLUTION (NON METRO)
Archibald by ALAND; Lauren Montgomery, Alice Worthy, Star 104.5, Central Coast, NSW, NOVA Entertainment
PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (METRO)
Kerry Gregory; KIIS Network, Melbourne, VIC, ARN
PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (NON-METRO)
Amelia Cutmore; 864 Triple M Toowoomba/Darling Downs, Toowoomba, QLD, SCA
MOST CREATIVE STATION PROMOTION (METRO)
Golden Holden; The Christian O’Connell Show, Gold 104.3 Melbourne, VIC, ARN
MOST CREATIVE STATION PROMOTION (NON METRO)
Lyndal & Crammy’s Origin or Bust; Lyndal & Crammy, 96.5 Wave FM, Wollongong, NSW, ARN
MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR
NOVA Entertainment Marketing; National, NOVA Entertainment
BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN (NATIONAL)
Smooth FM – Together in Music; NOVA Entertainment Marketing, National, NOVA Entertainment
Podcast Host Of The Year – National: Brittany Hockley & Laura Byrne; Life Uncut, ARN & iHeart, Sydney, NSW, ARN at ACRA’s 2024, The Star Sydney
PODCASTS & DIGITAL
PODCAST HOST/S OF THE YEAR (NATIONAL)
Brittany Hockley & Laura Byrne; Life Uncut, ARN & iHeart, Sydney, NSW, ARN
BEST PODCAST BY A RADIO SHOW (NATIONAL)
The Reporter True Stories; 6PR, Perth, WA, Nine Radio
PODCAST OF THE YEAR (NATIONAL)
Hannah’s Story; Jess Lodge, Melissa Downes, Adam Buncher, 9Podcasts, VIC, Nine Radio
BEST NEW TALENT – PODCAST (NATIONAL)
Joey Watson; LiSTNR, Sydney, NSW, SCA
MOST INNOVATIVE DAB FORMAT (NATIONAL)
iHeartTrivia; iHeartRadio Team National, iHeartRadio Team, NSW, ARN
PRODUCTION
BEST RADIO SHOW PRODUCER (METRO)
Liam McGuire; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
BEST RADIO SHOW PRODUCER (NON-METRO)
Monique Cremona; 1029 Hot Tomato, Gold Coast, QLD, ARN
BEST PODCAST PRODUCER (NATIONAL)
Jess Lodge; Hannah’s Story, 9Podcasts, Brisbane, QLD, Nine Radio
BEST IMAGING PRODUCER (METRO)
David Konsky; Hit Network, Melbourne, VIC, SCA
BEST IMAGING PRODUCER (NON METRO)
Dan King; K Rock 95.5, Geelong, VIC, Grant Broadcasters
DIGITAL TEAM OF THE YEAR
Jenna Benson, Brendan Jones, Amanda Keller; WSFM Sydney, NSW, ARN
BEST DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR
Jenna Benson; WSFM, Sydney, NSW, ARN
BEST INNOVATION IN ENGINEERING
Project Grande; ARN Regional – Brad Hambleton, Greg Hateley, ARN, Canberra, ACT, ARN
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE (METRO)
Fisiocrem; Nikki Price, Jamie Lechner, 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE (NON METRO)
Ace Building Co; Chloe Burgess-Jones, David Horspool, Hit 101.3 / 107.7 Triple M, Gosford, NSW, SCA
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (METRO)
Unique Homestyle Foods; CREATE – Darren Russell, Eddie Bye, Adelaide, SA, NOVA Entertainment
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (NON METRO)
Avoiding Hackers; Robbie Goodwin, Kelcie Toet, Mark Stevens, TRFM, Traralgon, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters
TALK, NEWS & SPORT
BRIAN WHITE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM
Clinton Maynard; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
THE GLENN DANIEL AWARD – BEST NEWS PRESENTER FM – (METRO)
Patrina Jones; GOLD104.3, Melbourne, VIC, ARN
THE GLENN DANIEL AWARD – BEST NEWS PRESENTER FM – (NON METRO)
Matt McDonald; 1029 Hot Tomato, Gold Coast, QLD, ARN
BEST NEWS PRESENTER AM – (METRO)
David Armstrong; 3AW, Melbourne, VIC, Nine Radio
BEST NEWS PRESENTER AM – (NON METRO)
Emma Clark; 3WM, Horsham, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters
BEST NEWS EVENT COVERAGE
Bondi Attacks; Ben Fordham, Mark Levy, Will Bottom, 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
BEST LOCAL NEWS TEAM – (COUNTRY)
Triple M Newcastle; David Dollin, Dan Flegg, Saskia Channing, 102.9 Triple M Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, SCA
BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER – (NATIONAL)
Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
BEST SPORTS PRESENTER – (METRO)
David Morrow; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
BEST SPORTS PRESENTER (NON-METRO)
Annabelle Brett; 102.3 Triple M Townsville, Townsville, QLD, SCA
BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE (METRO)
2023 NRL Grand Final – Panthers Miracle Comeback; The Continuous Call Team, Ray Hadley, Mark Levy, Darryl Brohman, Mark Riddell, 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE (NON-METRO)
2023 AFL Grand Final; K rock Football Commentary Team, K rock 95.5, Geelong, VIC, Grant Broadcasters
BEST DOCUMENTARY – AUDIO – (NATIONAL)
Secrets We Keep – Shame, Lies and Family; Amelia Oberhardt, Ellen Leabeater, Jake Morcom, Nial Fernandes, LiSTNR , Brisbane, QLD, SCA
BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (METRO)
Gifts For Kids; The Christian O’Connell Show, Gold 104.3, Melbourne, VIC ARN
BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (PROVINCIAL)
i98FM Illawarra Convoy; i98FM Illawarra Convoy Team, i98FM, Wollongong, NSW, WIN Network
BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (COUNTRY)
Christmas by the Lake; 3CS & Mixx FM Team, 3CS & Mixx FM, Colac, VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters
BEST TALK PRESENTER (METRO)
Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney, NSW, Nine Radio
BEST TALK PRESENTER (NON-METRO)
Katie Woolf; Mix 104.9, Darwin, NT, ARN
Individual Talent Of The Year – Provincial: Katie Woolf; Mix 104.9, Darwin, NT, ARN at ACRA’s 2024, The Star Sydney
MUSIC
BEST MUSIC FEATURE
Taylor Swift Triple M Versions; Andrew Very, David Konsky, Kalun Townsend,104.9 Triple M Sydney, Sydney, NSW, SCA
THE GUDINSKI – AUSTRALIAN MUSIC CHAMPION
Triple M Homegrown with Matty O; Matthew O’Gorman, Kalun Townsend, Andrew Very, Shaun Gough, Julia Di Gregorio, 105.1 Triple M Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, SCA
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Scott Baker-Smith; Nova Network, Melbourne, VIC, NOVA Entertainment
Bob Rogers
HALL OF FAME
Bob Rogers
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD
Sound Future; NOVA Entertainment, Sydney, NSW, NOVA Entertainment
See also: 2023 ACRA Awards – Jonesy & Amanda win big while Kyle Sandilands takes home Talent of the Year
Main photo: Jonesy and Amanda winning at the 2023 ACRA night