Internationally recognised as one of the most respected and coveted awards for creativity and effectiveness, winning a statue in Radio Advertising, Programming or Promotion, is a major feather in the cap, for any person working in the radio industry, and to be chosen to be the best in their awarded category.
The International Awards Group
The organisers of the New York Festivals, the International Awards Group, who say of themselves that they are a ‘for profit group, proud to pay our fair share of taxes,’ are the organisation behind a number of awards and award ceremonies in addition to the annual Radio Awards.
- The New York Festivals: recognises advertising and programming in 3 awards, Radio, Television and Film. New York Festivals TV: highlights New York Festivals Award Winning Work
- The AME Awards: recognises creativity and effectiveness round the globe
- The HIVE Awards: is a competition for the “unsung heroes of the internet.”
- The Midas Awards: are global awards for creativity and effectiveness in the financial services industry
- The Global Awards: honours outstanding work in healthcare communications.
Each of the awards is composed of a number of different and varied categories appropriate to the area of work in which they are honouring and recognising excellence.
The New York Festivals Radio Awards.
High above 5th Avenue, near Union Square in the Big Apple, on September 24, 2010 the results of
the year’s world’s best Radio Programming and Promotion were unveiled. Now in its 54th Year, the festival is a regular feature in the radio industry calendar and the results are widely anticipated every year by its entrants. At the awards ceremony on the night attendees witnessed performances by and presentations of:
- The World’s Best Radio Programmes
- Trophy Winning Guest Presenters
- Presentation of the United Nations Department of Public Information Awards for public service advertising
- The Grand Trophy Winner
- And Gold, Silver and Bronze winning medal winners.
The judges are, to quote the organisers:”an international network of representatives spread out over 65 countries,” which helps in part to maintain the award’s “relevance, prestige,” and in no small way the international reputation it holds within the industry.
Countries of Origin of the NYF Winners.
As well as the Grand Award Winners, this year Ten Alps Radio for “The Woodstock 40th Anniversary,” and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with “Twice Lost,” the Winners and Finalists came from literally all over the world reinforcing the organisers claim of being the “World’s Best,” and from countries for example as diverse:
- Australia
- Canada
- The United Kingdom
- The USA
- Ireland
- China
- Argentina
- Holland
And the spread of judges’ home countries reflect an equally diverse geographical spread - a truly global competition.
Categories of Award Winners and the Results.
In the Festival’s 2010 International Radio Programming and Promotion, winners picked up Gold, Silver and Bronze World Medals with finalist certificates also awarded in a spread of categories reflecting the diverse nature both of the output of entrant companies, and the variety of radio programmes and promotions within the industry in 2010. Categories included:
- Best Drama Special
- Best Music Special
- Best Regularly Scheduled Talk Programme
- National / International Affairs
- Station Promotion
- Culture and the Arts
- Best News / Documentary Special
- Best Country Format
- Best Sound
- Best Sports Programme
- And Best Online Radio.
Over the decades the festival has grown and categories changed and added to reflect the changes happening in the radio industry. There’s one thing that doesn’t change, year on year, and that’s surely the pride and no doubt excitement the winner of an award experiences whether in the inaugural ceremony 54 years ago or in this year’s awards.
A ful list of the winners in each category is posted on the New York Festival website.
The New York Festival Statue Award.
The NYF trophy this year resembles a 1920’s art deco radio microphone, and becomes the new visual logo most apparent on the Festival’s Website. In common with the medals, trophies and finalist certificates from previous years’ winners, the new trophy will no doubt, be equally coveted by the recipients themselves and in the wider radio industry.
Dan McCurdy - Dan McCurdy is a freelance writer producer creative and lecturer. Dan is one of the UK's most experienced radio writers and producers. ...
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