ACRAS 2016: Complete winners’ list

•  Macquarie Media’s Steve Price and Nova’s Kate, Tim & Marty win Best Teams

Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell and Marty Sheargold, hosts of the Nova Network national drive show, have won the Best On Air Team (Metro FM), at the 28th annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRA) announced at a gala black tie event at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The awards took place on 8 October 2016.

Kate, Tim and Marty ,who started on air as a team in January 2014, took out the ACRA for Best Networked Program last year.  When celebrating 15 years with Nova early this year, Tim credited the shows success to the chemistry of the team and the fact they are complete opposites.

The Metropolitan Best On Air Team AM award went to 2GB’s Nights with Steve Price. The Macquarie radio presenter and regular panellist on The Project has been in journalism for more than 30 years. Opinion maker Andrew Bolt joins Price on his nightly radio show to review the news and current affairs.  For the fifth year running, one of Australia’s most experienced journalists, 3AW’s Neil Mitchell, took out the Best Current Affairs Presenter award. Best Talk Presenter was taken out for the third year by 2GB’s Ben Fordham. His show producer Harriet Glenn won the Best Talk/Current Affairs Producer category.

Sam Pang (Nova 100 Melbourne) took out the gong for Best Newcomer On Air.  Pang is a member of the Nova Melbourne breakfast team with Chrissie Swan and Jonathan Brown. As a team they won the Best Station Produced Comedy Segment.  Hit Network’s Hamish and Andy (Hamish Blake and Andy Lee) won the ACRA for Best Networked Program.  Kent Small, the host of Smallzy’s Surgery on the Nova Network, took home the ACRA for Best Music or Entertainment Presenter. WSFM101.7 Sydney breakfast duo, Jonesy & Amanda (Amanda Keller and Brendan Jones), took out best Syndicated Program for their national weekly show My Generation.

Melissa Doyle and Richard Wilkins, who were 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.

Nova CEO Cathy O'Connor

Nova CEO Cathy O’Connor

Nova Entertainment CEO Cathy O’Connor, 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, O’Connor 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.”

Entries were received from 260 metropolitan and regional radio stations across Australia. Stations outside the metropolitan areas were well represented at the ACRAs with more than 200 finalists from country and provincial stations.

Organised by Commercial Radio Australia, the national awards cover 33 categories. Winners were announced in each category across three areas: metropolitan, provincial and country commercial radio stations, and encompass all areas of commercial radio broadcasting including news, talk, sport, music and entertainment. The ACRAs differ from television’s Logie Awards in that they are peer judged by industry members.

WINNERS FOR 2016 AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL RADIO AWARDS (ACRAs)

Category Finalists are denoted with the following letters:
C: Country
P: Provincial
NM: Non-Metropolitan
M: Metropolitan

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

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 Entertainment M

BEST TALK PRESENTER
Kate Vincent-O’Bree; 2BS Gold, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst Broadcasters C
Brian Carlton; LAFM, Launceston TAS, Grant Broadcasters P
Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER
Stephen Cenatiempo; 2NM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant Broadcasters NM
Neil Mitchell; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST SPORTS PRESENTER
Nathan Dell; Zinc 96, Gympie QLD, Grant Broadcasters C
Tom King; K Rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P
Tim Lane; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST NETWORKED PROGRAM
The Morning Rush; Jon Vertigan, Maria Foundas & Richard Kew, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Tasmania Talks; Brian Carlton, Grant Broadcasters P
The Hamish & Andy Show; Hamish Blake & Andy Lee, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST SYNDICATED AUSTRALIAN PROGRAM
My Generation; Authentic Entertainment

BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN
hit104.7 Launch; Zak Davies, hit104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA NM
Hamish & Andy Return; Nikki Clarkson & Adam Bower, Hit Network, Southern Cross Austereo M

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 Austereo C
Amanda Angiolino; Star FM, Warragul VIC, Southern Cross Austereo P
Sam Pang; Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE
Geelong v Hawthorn – Welcome to the Danger Zone; The K Rock Football Commentary Team, K Rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters NM
2015 AFL Grand Final; Triple M Footy, Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST NEWS PRESENTER COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL
Lois Chislet; 3YB, Warrnambool VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Rod McLeod; Gold FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P

BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO FM
Ange Anderson; Nova 106.9, Brisbane QLD, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO AM
Anne Stone; FIVEaa, Adelaide SA, NOVA Entertainment M

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 Broadcasters C
Adele Phone Call; Adam Barratt, Sea FM, Maroochydore QLD, EON Broadcasting P
Avocado; Chrissie Swan, Sam Pang & Jonathan Brown, Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST SHOW PRODUCER – ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC
Nicole Levey; Tanya & Steve for Breakfast, KOFM, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Nic McClure; The Kyle & Jackie O Show, KIIS 1065, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M

BEST SHOW PRODUCER – TALK/CURRENT AFFAIRS
Melissa Mobbs; Tasmania Talks, LAFM, Launceston TAS, Grant Broadcasters NM
Harriet Glenn; The Ben Fordham Show, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR
Gemma Maddox; Max FM, Taree NSW, Super Radio Network C
Dan Hill; Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Georgina Ingham-Myers; Nova 106.9, Brisbane QLD, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR
Justin Williams; 102.9 Hot Tomato, Gold Coast QLD, Hot Tomato NM
Natali Brabant; KIIS 101.1, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M

BEST PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Michael Moffett; 2CS FM & Star FM, Coffs Harbour NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C
Leigh Kuhlmann; K Rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P
Peter Clay; smoothfm, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST DOCUMENTARY
What Is It Like?; Kristen Henry, Mix 106.3, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA NM
Modern Warrior; Merrick Watts, Triple M Network, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
Troy McInnes & Brendan Egan; Zinc 96, Gympie QLD, Grant Broadcasters C
Matt Innes; Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Darcy Milne; Nova 96.9, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST MUSIC SPECIAL
David Bowie Tribute Special; George Mihalos, 2XL, Jindabyne NSW, Capital Radio Network C
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 Entertainment M

BEST STATION SALES ACHIEVEMENT
KOFM Sales Team; KOFM, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo NM
ARN Adelaide Agency Sales; ARN Adelaide, Adelaide SA, Australian Radio Network M

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

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 Austereo M

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN
Spot-Go; Cameron Horn & Anna Cook, Sea FM, Gosford NSW, Southern Cross Austereo NM
We Don’t Do Husbands; Matt Dickson, Mix 94.5, Perth WA, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST SALES PROMOTION
The Running Of The Brides; Power FM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant Broadcasters C
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 Entertainment M

BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – SALES
Kyle & 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 Austereo NM
The Ed Sheeran $2 Peep Show Experiment; Hamish Blake & Andy Lee, Hit Network, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST STATION PROMOTION
The Zinc Alice Cooper Golf Day; Cassy Small, Zinc 96, Maroochydore QLD, Grant Broadcasters C
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 Austereo M

BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
Wimmera Health Care Group Telethon; Emma Elsom & Mark Sulic, 3WM, Horsham VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
i98FM’s Camp Quality Convoy; i98 Convoy Team, i98FM, Wollongong NSW, WIN P
Radiothon 2015; 2UE, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST NEWCOMER OFF-AIR
Alexis LeMasson; 2BS Gold & B-Rock FM, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst Broadcasters C
Nikolina Koveska; The Edge, Katoomba NSW, Australian Radio Network P
Jack Charles; Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, NOVA Entertainment M

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