The official launch of the new Radio Production Awards took place yesterday at a special event in London. The awards are organised by the Radio Independents Group, in conjunction with Channel 4 Radio to recognise and reward the individuals behind radio programmes – the producers.
Neil Gardner, Chair of the Radio Independents Group, the trade body that represents the UK’s radio independent production sector told RadioToday.co.uk:
“For an industry that prides itself that so much of what is produced is made by small teams of dedicated and highly skilled individuals, we never take the time to recognise these people. Unlike other creative industries there are no awards for producers, sound engineers, writers and composers…yet without these people no radio would get produced. The RIG Radio Production Awards will rectify this situation by opening up opportunities for anyone who is in the craft of making radio to be justly rewarded for their individual achievements.”
Nathalie Schwarz, Director of Radio at Channel 4 said:-
“When we launched Channel 4 Radio last year we promised to work closely with radio independent production companies, helping to build the sector in the same way that Channel 4 TV helped stimulate the independent TV sector 20 years ago. Radio Indies are often the unsung heroes of the radio industry and I am delighted Channel 4 Radio is so closely involved in the first ever Radio Production Awards."
The awards will be open to anyone who has been involved in the production of radio, or radio-like programming that is available to UK listeners…including independently produced radio, in-house productions by the BBC, commercial radio production teams, freelancers, podcasters and international productions. The first awards will be held in May 2008, with entries being sought in late 2007.
The launch party saw keynote speeches from Nathalie Schwarz, Director of Radio at Channel 4, and Neil Gardner, Chair of RIG; a radio experience ‘in the dark’; the presentation of the inaugural Outstanding Contribution to the Craft of Radio Award; drinks reception before & after in partnership with Hill Dickinson LLP and featuring a DJ set by Channel 4 Radio’s Tom Ravenscroft; and of course, the Champions League football on the TV in the bar!
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Posted on Thursday, May 24th, 2007 at 7:26 am by RadioToday UK