2018 Audio Production Awards – shortlist

The nominations for the 2018 Audio Production Awards have been announced ahead of the ceremony on November 22nd in London.

The mission of the Audio Production Awards is to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement in audio and radio production within the designated categories covering both producers and on-mic talent.

Here’s the shortlist:

BEST ARTS PRODUCER

This category celebrates the best of arts and culture-based audio, reported and produced to the highest of standards, giving a sense of special insight into the subject.

Andrew McGibbon, Curtains For Radio
Anna Scott-Brown, Overtone Productions
Jo Wheeler, Freelance
Mair Bosworth, BBC Radio 4
Michael Umney, Resonance/Reduced Listening
Victoria Ferran, Just Radio Ltd

BEST MUSIC PRODUCER

This award is for an exceptional producer working in music audio. Entries can range from single programmes and documentaries to sequence programmes, as well as specialist music programming, live music and discussion.

Jax Coombes, BBC 6 Music
Natalie Steed, Freelance
Nick Harris, Absolute Radio
Ollie Wilson, Somethin’ Else
Paul Smith, Just Radio Ltd
Steve Urquhart, Listen To Steve

BEST FACTUAL PRODUCER

This category is for non-news based factual programming. The judges will be looking for a strong storytelling capability and a crystal clear, gripping narrative, plus compelling and creative production values that resonate with the audience.

Dom Byrne, Greenpoint
Jo Wheeler, Freelance
Kate Cocker, Reform Radio
Katherine Godfrey, Whistledown Productions
Natalia Golysheva, Freelance
Sue Nelson, Boffin Media

BEST NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS PRODUCER

Celebrating the best in news and current affairs production. Entries here should be from programmes which are clearly led by the current affairs agenda.

Gabriela Jones, Wisebuddah
James Shield, The RSA
Robert Nicholson, Whistledown Productions
Rory Carson, BBC Radio 5 Live
Siobhann Tighe, BBC Radio 4
Tim Johns, BBC Radio 2

BEST SPORTS PRODUCER

Entries can feature outstanding, engaging sports programming from many formats; from live daytime programmes to round-table podcasts, but they must relate to sports in a clear and defined way.

Ben Green, Muddy Knees Media
Ben Mundy, BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat
Mark Sharman, TBI Media
Tom Whalley, Freelance

BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCER

Recognising producers who successfully create fresh and fun entertainment content. For example, entries might be drawn from live programmes and/or light-hearted podcasts.

Brian Murphy, Magic Radio & Absolute Radio
Claire Solan, Absolute Radio
Darby Dorras, Somethin’ Else
Dave Masterman, Absolute Radio
Ed Morrish, Freelance
Peter Curran, The Foghorn Company

GETHIN THOMAS COMEDY AWARD

All comedy-based audio can be entered here, including sitcoms, scripted comedy, sketch shows or comedy-led panel shows. Any format with the primary aim of making people laugh fits the bill. The category is named in honour of the pioneering Welsh comedy producer and performer, Gethin Wyn Thomas, who died suddenly and prematurely earlier last year.

David Tyler, Pozzitive
Ed Morrish, Freelance
Gareth Gwynn, Freelance
Giles Gear, Union JACK Radio
Gus Beattie, Gusman Productions

BEST LIVE EVENT/OUTSIDE BROADCAST PRODUCER

Entries here may span a wide range of formats and subject matter. The key is that they must have been created in a live broadcast setting.

Annabelle Buckland, JACKfm
Chris Evans Production Team, BBC Radio 2
Chris Gilvear, Jazz FM
Mark Carter, BBC Sussex & BBC Surrey
Nick Carter, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

BEST PODCAST PRODUCER

Celebrating an outstanding Podcast Producer who truly understands the special possibilities of the medium.

Eva Krysiak, Freelance
Lucy Dearlove, Freelance
Mike Holt, BBC Radio 5 Live
Neil Cowling, Fresh Air Production
Sue Nelson, Boffin Media
Tamsyn Kent, BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat

BEST DRAMA PRODUCER

Recognising exceptional producers who know how to bring the story, characters and narrative to life in listeners’ minds.

Boz Temple-Morris, Holy Mountain
David Beck & Katie Arlett, Wireless Theatre Company, Audible Studios
Kate Valentine, Digital Drama
Laurence Bowen, Dancing Ledge Productions
Nicolas Jackson, Afonica
Simon Barnard, Bafflegab Productions

BEST AUDIOBOOK/READINGS PRODUCER

Judges will be looking at the range and choice of material, performance, direction and production values here. Producers can enter an unedited section from a single book/reading or extracts from several books/readings.

Chris Thompson, Heavy Entertainment
Karen Rose, Sweet Talk Productions
Natalie Steed, Freelance
Roy McMillan, Penguin Random House
Samuel Gunn, Heavy Entertainment
Tanya Hougham, Harper Collins Publishers

BEST NEW PRODUCER

Celebrating a newcomer to audio production who shows potential to reach the very highest level.

Hannah Dean, Freelance
Jonathan O’Sullivan, TBI Media
Nathan Gower, Whistledown
Nick Harris, Absolute Radio
Shanida Scotland, Falling Tree Productions
Stuart Russell, Eyebrow Media

BEST STATION SOUND PRODUCER

For exceptional contributions to audio imaging and/or station sound production.

Ben Stones, BBC Radio Pop Hub Station Sound
Carl Kinsman, Q Radio
Dan Prior, Absolute Radio
Gordon Lundy, Absolute Radio
Liam Hadley, BBC Radio Pop Hub Station Sound
Stan Was, BBC Radio 4

BEST SOUND DESIGNER/ENGINEER

Celebrating the talents of sound designers, mixers, studio managers and others who create startling soundscapes that elevate audio from great to extraordinary.

Adam Fowler, Overtone Productions
Alasdair McGregor, Holy Mountain
Antony Shaw, TBI Media
Eloise Whitmore, Naked Productions
Steve Bond, Freelance
Steve Urquhart, Listen To Steve

GRASSROOTS PRODUCTION AWARD

For an individual, production company, radio/audio station or community-based organisation that has shown extraordinary achievement in identifying, nurturing or mentoring new and diverse talent to the audio industry.

PRA Productions/Prison Radio Association
Reform Radio
Radio Wanno – HMP Wandsworth
Resonance
Transmission Roundhouse
Women’s Radio Station

AUDIO PERFORMER OF THE YEAR

Recognising and rewarding a performer who has demonstrated exceptional talent at interpreting the written word over the year, as exemplified by a single outstanding piece of work or a body of work. This could include narrators of audiobooks or actors in an audio drama.

Bill Nighy for Penguin Random House
David Rintoul for Penguin Random House Audio
David Walliams for HarperCollins Publishers
Jacob Anderson for Penguin Random House
Lee Ingleby for Penguin Random House Audio
Oliver Jeffers for HarperCollins Publishers

BEST PRESENTER – SPEECH

For exceptional on-air talent presenting speech programmes. Compelling conversation, high production values, brilliant interviews, a sustained contribution to the genre, outstanding creativity and deep-rooted connection to the audience.

Abdul-Rehman Malik, TBI Media
Andrew Mueller, Monocle 24
Cole Moreton, TBI Media
Justin Dealey, BBC Three Counties Radio
Nihal Arthanayake, BBC Radio 5 Live
Tony Livesey, BBC Radio 5 Live

BEST PRESENTER – MUSIC

For exceptional on-air talent presenting music programmes. Unrivalled understanding of their chosen music genre(s), the ability to share that passion, plus constant creativity, strong production values and powerful audience connection.

Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 2 & BBC 6 Music
Emily Segal, heat radio
Lauren Laverne, BBC 6 Music
Ruthie Henshall, Mellow Magic
Steve Lamacq, BBC 6 Music
Trevor Nelson, Somethin’ Else for BBC Radio 2

NEW VOICE AWARD

For outstanding presenters who have recently entered the audio world or recently gained significant mainstream presentation recognition for the first time.

Blanche Girouard, BBC Radio 4
Jessie Ware, Table Manners
Julia Raeside, Great Big Owl
Martin Morales, Block Media
Frankie Wells & Anouszka Tate, Project Pleasure – Transmission Roundhouse
Ronan Keating, Magic Radio

GOLD AWARD

To be announced at the ceremony

Recognising and celebrating an individual who has made an outstanding contribution, usually over a number of years, to the audio sector in the UK.

PRODUCTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR

This award recognises and celebrates a company’s success across the year.

Naked Productions
PRA Productions – Prison Radio Association
Reduced Listening
Somethin’ Else
Whistledown
Wisebuddah

Will Jackson, Managing Director of AudioUK, which organises the APAs, said: “This year there has been a record number of entries to the awards, with the content showing a real depth and range. We’ve been using where possible the blind judging again which worked well last year, to make sure everyone, whether a well-known producer or a breaking new talent, is on a level playing field. We’re really looking forward to the awards night, which is always tremendous fun and look forward to seeing everyone there.”