MTN launches SA Radio Awards

4 Sep 2009

The South African MTN Radio Awards has officially been launched and is held in conjunction with The Journal, the South African specialist marketing title edited by Jeremy Maggs, a former radio broadcaster. A call to entry will go out in the next few weeks ahead of an awards function early in 2010.

The MTN Radio Awards has the support of the country's major commercial and public service radio players including the SABC, Primedia Broadcasting, Kagiso Broadcasting, AME as well as the NAB and has been developed in conjunction with the Sony Radio Awards in the UK.

The MTN Radio Awards will initially recognise broadcasting in the English language with plans to broaden the language base in the second year. The Future Group plans taking the event to other major African markets in the long term.

Categories include:

Best morning drive show
Best commercial
Best PBS and community station
Best presenters in a variety of roles
Industry achiever of the year
Inaugural radio lifetime achievement award

MTN's chief marketing officer, Serame Taukobong, says: “We're absolutely delighted to be part of this important new media initiative. Radio as a medium reaches more South Africans than any other and the skills and dedication by presenters and support staff has never been formally acknowledged until now.”

“MTN believes this formal recognition will further entrench radio as a key medium in the country and encourage high standards to become even higher. We also see this initiative as a perfect complimentary fit to our valued association with the SA Music Awards.”

The Journal's editor, Jeremy Maggs, says: “Even though I've recently left radio for television news, I have spent the majority of my broadcast career in a radio studio. It really is about time that those who've dedicated themselves to the craft are recognised and rewarded. The Journal is delighted to be part of this initiative and we look forward to the entries.”

The Journal is part of the Future Group stable that publishes over 20 titles including The Annual - a hard cover review of the advertising, media, marketing and branding year and The Red Book - a yearly directory of marketing executives.

The next phase of MTN Radio Awards will be the finalisation of a judging panel and a formal call for entries. This will be accomplished by the end of October 2009.

The awards function will be held in the first quarter of 2010 and a percentage of revenue from the event and from a special The Journal radio supplement will be used to fund a radio bursary programme.

For more information, go to www.mtnradioawards.co.za.