After more than three decades in radio, Nova Entertainment chief executive officer Cathy O’Connor has been recognised for her outstanding lifetime achievement and contribution to the radio broadcasting industry.
At the 2016 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) in Melbourne, in front of a room filled with 1200 industry folk, O’Connor was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame. (See photo gallery at bottom of page).
One of Australia's sole female chief executives of a stand-alone major media company, O’Connor has led the IIlyria Nominees Television-owned media organisation - a private investment company of Lachlan Murdoch – for the past eight years.
Commercial Radio Australia chief executive officer Joan Warner said: “It has been a pleasure working with Cathy both when she was chair of CRA and ongoing as an active and supportive board member. It is a well deserved tribute to someone who has worked untiringly in the radio industry and we all hope will continue for many years to come.”
Entering the radio industry in 1985, O’Connor started in sales roles at both 2SM and 2GB in Sydney. Her management career began at Austereo in 1991 where she held the roles of agency sales manager, general sales manager and general manager. She joined dmg Radio Australia (now NOVA Entertainment) as managing director in January 2003, eventually taking over after the retirement of her mentor and giant of the radio industry Paul Thompson. She was appointed to the position of CEO in October 2008.
Since joining Nova Entertainment, O’Connor, who celebrates 31 years in the industry this year, has been involved in the completion and evolution of the national network, including the launches of Nova Adelaide and Brisbane and most recently the establishment of the successful contemporary easy listening FM smoothfm network.
The glitzy black tie gala event also saw Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell and Marty Sheargold, hosts of the Nova Network national drive show, win the Best On Air Team (Metro FM).
Kate, Tim and Marty who started on air as a team in January 2014 are 'Australia’s number one drive team' and last year took out the ACRA for Best Networked Program. 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 ACRAs are organised by Commercial Radio Australia and cover all metropolitan, provincial and country commercial radio stations, with winners announced for each of these areas in 33 categories, across news, talkback, sport and music.
Check out the rest of the winners below:
WINNERS FOR 2016 AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL RADIO AWARDS (ACRAs)
Please note: Category Finalists are denoted with the following letters:
Country>Provincial>Non-Metropolitan>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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