MEDIA RELEASE 5 August 2011 Finalists announced for 2011 Radio Awards The finalists in the 23rd annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) were announced today and for the first time, the Metropolitan Best On-Air Team Award will be presented in two categories - metro AM and metro FM. Chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner said: “We’ve had an unprecedented number of entries in the On-Air Team category this year and to take into account the differing broadcast styles and content provided by AM and FM broadcasters in metropolitan markets there will be a Best On-Air Team Metropolitan award in both AM and FM.” . Finalists in the Best On-Air Team Metropolitan FM category are; The Kyle and Jackie O Show (2Day FM Sydney), Jonesy and Amanda (WSFM, Sydney), Fitzy and Wippa (Nova, Sydney), the Hamish and Andy Show (Today Network), and the Matt and Jo Show (Fox FM Melbourne). Hamish and Andy have won the Best On-Air Award for the past three years and Kyle and Jackie O have won twice before. The Metropolitan AM finalists are 3AW Breakfast (3AW, Melbourne), 2GB Continuous Call Team, (2GB Sydney), George & Paul (2UE Sydney) and 3AW Nightline/Remember When (3AW Melbourne). Nova drive-time presenters, Fitzy and Wippa are also finalists the Best Networked Program (metropolitan) category along with The Hamish and Andy Show (Southern Cross Austereo) and the Ray Hadley Morning Show (Macquarie Radio Network). Four-times Award winner last year, Ray Hadley (2GB Sydney) is also a finalist in this year’s Best Talk Presenter and Best Current Affairs Presenter categories. Other finalists in Best Talk Presenter (metropolitan) are Steve Vizard (MTR Melbourne), Derryn Hinch (3AW Melbourne) and Neil Mitchell (3AW Melbourne). Ray, Neil and Derryn are also all finalists in the Best Current Affairs Presenter (metropolitan) as is Paul Murray (2UE Sydney). Best Newcomer On-Air (metropolitan) will be contested between Martin King (MTR Melbourne), Ben Fordham (2GB Sydney), Sophie Monk (2Day FM) and Jules Lund (Today Network). Finalists in the digital radio category, Best New Digital Radio Format, include Koffee (DMG), Novanation (DMG), Radar Radio (Southern Cross Austereo) and U2O Radio (Southern Cross Austereo). A record number of more than 1100 entries were received for this year’s ACRAs from metropolitan, regional and country radio stations across Australia. The winners will be announced at a gala event at Jupiters on the Gold Coast on October 15. Renowned, US Emmy Award winning actor, Kelsey Grammer will be special guest at this year’s Awards. Chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner said; “The ACRAs are the highlight of the year for the radio industry and we look forward to the event on the Gold Coast this year. It is a great opportunity to recognise the depth of talent within the industry right across Australia.” Organised by Commercial Radio Australia, on behalf of the radio industry, the national Awards include 33 categories, which cover all areas of radio broadcasting including news, talk, sport, music and entertainment. The ACRAs differ from television’s Logie Awards, in that they are peer judged with judging panels comprised of industry members. Winners are announced in each category across three areas: metropolitan, provincial and country commercial radio stations. This year for the first time, a two week international fellowship will be awarded to the Brian White Award winner. Brian White was a legendary radio journalist and this award recognizes excellence in radio reporting. Media Contact: Jenny Stevenson. 0402 214 039 or Melissa Fleming. 0417 499 529. Please note: A list of the finalists in the 32 categories is attached .(Hall of Fame category is announced on the night). The list is also on the website: http://www.commercialradio.com.au/acras/ 1 FINALISTS FOR 2011 AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL RADIO AWARDS (ACRAs) Please note: Category Finalists are denoted with the following letters: Country>Provincial>NonMetropolitan>Metropolitan MOST POPULAR STATION MANAGER Jason McCarthy; Spirit 98.1, Geraldton WA, Redwave Media C Cheryl Lardner; Magic 93.1 & Classic Hits 5RM, Riverland SA, Fairfax Radio Network C Paul O’Connor; Sea FM & Hot FM, Mackay QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P Sylvia Sayers; Radio 7AD and 107.7 Sea FM, Devonport TAS, Grant Broadcasters P Paul Moltzen; Star 104.5, Gosford NSW, DMG Radio Australia P David Borean; Nova 96.9 & Classic Rock, Sydney NSW, DMG Radio Australia M Tim McDermott; 2UE, Sydney NSW, Fairfax Radio Network M Gary Roberts; Nova 93.7, Perth WA, DMG Radio Australia M ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE Greg Hateley, Matt Shields & Darren Hateley; 96FM, IP Audio Studio to Transmission Installation, Perth WA, Fairfax Radio Network Brett Kelly; Disaster Recovery Transmission System, Perth WA, Southern Cross Austereo Max Healey; Fairfax Radio Syndication, Active Network, Sydney NSW, Fairfax Radio Network BRIAN WHITE MEMORIAL Stephanie Borys; 2BS, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst Broadcasters Sarah Crabb; 2UE, Sydney NSW, Fairfax Radio Network Clinton Maynard; 2UE, Sydney NSW, Fairfax Radio Network Gillian Cannon; 2GB Sydney NSW, Macquarie Radio Network Yvette Gray; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Fairfax Radio Network Dan Ginnane; Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo BEST NEWCOMER OFF-AIR Kate Reilly; Star FM, Mt Gambier SA, Southern Cross Austereo C Joel Fernandes; B-Rock, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst Broadcasters C Kellsey Melhuish; Star FM, Dubbo NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C Lisa Ryan; Power FM & 2NM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant Broadcasters C Tegan Lawson; Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P Selina Pedersen; Hot 91.1, Maroochydore QLD, Prime Radio P Laura Bowen; Sea FM & Gold FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P Bianca Stinson; 2Day FM & Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M Michael Rennie; Triple M & B105, Brisbane QLD, Southern Cross Austereo M Claire Ward; Radar Radio, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M Tim Chapman-Mills; Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M BEST NEWCOMER ON-AIR Andrew Harrison; Star FM, Mildura VIC, Southern Cross Austereo C Christopher Morecroft; Max FM, Taree NSW, Super Radio Network C Lindsay Ellis; Power FM, Bega NSW, Grant Broadcasters C Stephen Cenatiempo; 2HC, Coffs Harbour NSW, Super Radio Network C Kristie Mercer; 106.3 FM, Townsville QLD, Prime Radio P Normy Dorrell; Star FM, Albury NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P Pete Curulli; MIX 106.3, Canberra ACT, Australian Radio Network/Southern Cross Austereo P Martin King; MTR, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Radio Network/Pacific Star Network M Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Radio Network M Sophie Monk; 2Day FM, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M Jules Lund; Today Network, Southern Cross Austereo M BEST MUSIC PRESENTER Nic Cook; B-Rock FM, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst Broadcasters C Alo Baker; Star FM, Dubbo NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C Chris Holland; Star FM, Dubbo NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C Jessica Capolupo; Hot Tomato, Gold Coast QLD, Hot Tomato P Jack Laurence; Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P Fyona Smith; Gold FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P Craig Huggins; Gold 104.3, Melbourne VIC, Australian Radio Network M Shane Lowe; Nova, Adelaide SA, DMG Radio Australia M Tim Lee; Fox FM, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M BEST TALK PRESENTER Craig Huth; 2RE, Taree NSW, Super Radio Network C Adrian Renzi; 8HA, Alice Springs NT, Alice Springs Commercial Broadcasters C Jennifer Menchin; 2LT, Lithgow NSW, Midwest Radio Network C Mark Parton; 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio P Mike Welsh; 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio P Christian Argenti; Gold FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo Steve Vizard; MTR, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Radio Network/Pacific Star Network M Ray Hadley; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Radio Network M 2 Derryn Hinch; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Fairfax Radio Network M Neil Mitchell; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Fairfax Radio Network M BEST ON-AIR TEAM – COUNTRY AND PROVINCIAL Sea FM Morning Crew with Chappy, Scotty & Kim; David Chapman, Scott Thomas & Kim Bunney, Sea FM, Maryborough QLD, Southern Cross Austereo C Larko & Lindsay’s Big Brekkie; Zach Larkins & Lindsay Ellis, Power FM, Bega NSW, Grant Broadcasters C Nick & Lukas; Nick King & Lukas Goodenough, Star FM, Dubbo NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C Kewy & Karis Breakfast Show; Richard Kew & Karis Britton, Coast FM, Warrnambool VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C The B Team; Chicken & Leroy, K-Rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P The Morning Crew; Hayden & Paula, Bay FM, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P Al & A.D for Breakfast; Al Shield & Alex Dearaugo, Star FM, Bendigo VIC, Southern Cross Austereo P Marty & Bianca for Breakfast; Marty Hanes, Bianca Dye & Josh Webster, i98FM, Wollongong NSW, WIN P BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO AM George & Paul; George Moore & Paul B. Kidd, 2UE, Sydney NSW, Fairfax Radio Network M 2GB Continuous Call Team, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Radio Network M 3AW Breakfast; Ross Stevenson & John Burns, 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Fairfax Radio Network M 3AW Nightline/Remember When; Bruce Mansfield & Philip Brady, 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Fairfax Radio Network M BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO FM Jonesy & Amanda; Brendan Jones & Amanda Keller, WSFM, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M Fitzy & Wippa; Ryan Fitzgerald & Michael Wipfli, Nova, Sydney NSW, DMG Radio Australia M The Kyle & Jackie O Show; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie O, 2Day FM, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M The Hamish & Andy Show; Hamish Blake & Andy Lee, Today Network, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M The Matt & Jo Show;