MTN Radio Awards: bigger, better

The Future Group, together with sponsor MTN, created the awards this year to recognise excellence in radio. As South Africa's only dedicated radio awards, the event has the full support of the country's major commercial and public service radio players including the SABC, Primedia Broadcasting, Kagiso Broadcasting, African Media Entertainment (AME) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). They will be held in conjunction with The Journal, a specialist marketing title edited by television anchor Jeremy Maggs, a former radio broadcaster. Entries open on 1 December 2010 and close on 31 January 2011.

Judges offer extensive expertise

This year's awards will be selected by a panel of esteemed judges from diverse professions who have a unique understanding of the radio industry and how far South Africa has come in providing a platform to inspire all South Africans to believe that they can make a difference within the industry. This year's panel of judges are:

• Andrew Human, CEO of the Loeries Awards
• Andy Rice, Chairman of Yellowwood Brand Architects
• Anthony Duke, Programming, Marketing and Management development at On-Air Radio Management
• Dan Moyane of the Momentum Group
• Media Analyst Daryl Ilbury
• David Mashabela
• Donald Liphoko, Media Director at the Media Shop
• Gordon Muller of GSM Quadrant
• Jeremy Maggs, Director of the Future Group
• John Culverwell, CEO of Sonovision Studios
• Koos Radebe, Executive, Communications and CSI Director at Tracker Network
• Lance Rothschild, panel chair
• Lara Kantor, Group Executive: Regulatory, e.tv
• Lawrence Dube
• Matona Sakupwanya, Station Manager at Metro FM
• Musa Kalenga, Idea Jockey at Monate Fellaz
• Nomahlubi Simamane, CEO of Zanusi Brand Solutions
• Rams Mabote
• Rob McLennan, Executive Creative Director of Network BBDO
• Professor Franz Kruger of the Wits Radio Academy
• Ryland Fisher of Ryland Fisher Communications
• Industry veteran Stan Katz
• Stuart Lee, founder of famous Faces
• Theo Nyhaba of Sunday World
• Tim Modise, CEO of Sizwe Africa
• Toby Shapshak, editor of Stuff Magazine
• Zandile Nzalo, CEO of Zanenza Communications

Current categories

• 2011 MTN Radio Station of the Year (for both commercial and community stations, the latter including the public broadcasting sector)
• The Young Achiever of the Year in both commercial and community sectors
• The Best News Reader of the Year
• Best Breakfast Show Presenter of the Year
• Best Breakfast Show of the Year
• Best Business Presenter of the Year
• Best Business Show of the Year
• Best Day Time Presenter of the Year
• Best Music Presenter of the Year (commercial and community)
• Best Music Show of the Year (commercial, community and public broadcasting)
• Best Night Time Presenter of the Year (commercial, community and public broadcasting)
• Best Night Time Show of the Year
• Best Sports Show of the Year
• Best Promotion/Stunt/Event of the Year (community and commercial)

New categories

• Lifetime Achievement Award
• Best News
• Best Actuality Show
• Best Sports Commentator and Presenter
• Best Radio Producer of Content (commercial, community and public broadcasting)
• Best Drama Programme (community and public broadcasting sector)
• Best On-Air Packaging
• Best performing Station in terms of fulfilling the community mandate
• Best Community Presenter
• Best Traffic Reporter of the Year

According to Lance Rothschild, last year's event attracted 199 submissions and more than 24 hours of audio time. He is confident that this year will net even more entries and of a higher quality.

"The organisers are also committed to providing a study grant to one young person who we hope will one day become a future leader of the industry. I urge as many radio stations, presenters and producers as possible to enter next year's awards," adds Jeremy Maggs.

MTN acknowledges radio's power

There is a natural fit between MTN and the awards, as it was launched on the back of radio advertising, making it the sponsor of choice for this initiative.

"We are proud to be partners of the Future Group in recognising the radio industry as a credible and vital part of the broadcast spectrum of this country, for a second year in a row. We believe that this formal recognition will further entrench radio as a key medium in the country and encourage those in the industry to continue to excel," says Natasha Basson, senior manager brand strategy and media planning at MTN SA.

In the long term, Future Group plans to take the event to other major African markets.