Podcasters Jessie Ware and Tamsyn Kent win Gold at the 2018 Audio Production Award

The winners have been revealed for the Audio Production Awards (APAs), the premier awards for off and on-mic production skills across radio, audiobooks and podcasts.

The APAs are sponsored by leading audiobook publisher Audible.

With blind judging being used to assess entries where possible, the winners represented a range of talent from across the UK. Overall 21 different independent production companies won a total of 32 awards, along with several national and local BBC stations, plus a range of grassroots and commercial broadcasters picking up awards. The freelance community was also well represented.

Podcast winners included a ‘New Voice’ Gold for Table Manners producer Jessie Ware. BBC Radio 1’s Tamsyn Kent won Gold for ‘Best Podcast Producer’ and Muddy Knees Media, producer of the Totally Football Show, picked up a Bronze Award in the ‘Best Sports Producer’ category.

The special Gold Award went to Jez Nelson, co-founder of production company Somethin’ Else, and former pirate radio, BBC and now Jazz FM presenter, for his outstanding contribution to radio.

Wisebuddah, the company set up by radio presenter Mark Goodier, won ‘Production Company of the Year’.

Out–of–London winners included Manchester’s Reform Radio (Gold for ‘Best Grassroots Production’), and Scotland’s Gusman Productions (Gold in the Gethin Thomas Comedy Award).

In audiobooks, Sweet Talk Productions’ Karen Rose won Gold for Best Audiobook Producer, while illustrator Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins) won Gold in the new ‘Audio Performer of the Year’ category.

Will Jackson, Managing Director of AudioUK, which organises the APAs, said:

“It’s great to see a good range of winners, showing the effectiveness of our blind judging process. In the year when we rebranded to AudioUK to reflect the wider activity of the production sector, it’s also very encouraging to see podcast and audiobook professionals winning not just in their specialist categories but across others too. Commercial radio also had some success and we hope that will continue to grow as a result of producers working more with stations, as a result of the forthcoming Audio Content Fund.”

Steve Carsey, Senior Director of Original Programming, Audible, said:

“More people than ever are enjoying expertly-produced audiobooks, dramas, podcasts and radio, and at Audible we’re excited to be part of this evolving landscape, investing an increasing amount in a huge range of innovative listening experiences across all genres. We’re very proud to join AudioUK again this year in recognising excellence and craftsmanship of producers, presenters, technicians, sound- designers and performers in this vibrant industry. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees.”

ENDS

Notes

1. The APAs – which are now in their ninth year – reflect the continued expansion of audio distribution online and via downloads, in addition to traditional broadcast radio. The awards are open to all audio producers, from BBC and commercial radio to community stations and podcasters, as well as production companies working across all forms of audio, including audiobooks, podcasts and radio. More at https://audioproductionawards.awardstage.com/#About

2. The Gethin Thomas Comedy Award honours the Welsh comedy performer and producer, who unexpectedly passed away in 2017.

3. To ensure attendance from nominees at an early stage in their career in the audio industry, AudioUK this year introduced a Bursary Scheme, providing ten free places to nominees with constrained financial means.

4. The APAs are organised by AudioUK Events Ltd, the events arm of AudioUK. AudioUK is the trade association for UK audio production companies, with nearly 100 members, spread across the UK, making high-quality award-winning radio, audiobook and podcast content, as well as audio games, audio branding and other content. It also created the Audiotrain skills programme. More at www.audiouk.org

5. Audible, an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio information and entertainment, offering customers a new way to enhance and enrich their lives every day. Audible was created to unleash the emotive music in language and the habituating power and utility of verbal expression. Audible content includes more than 300,000 audio programs from leading audiobook publishers, broadcasters, entertainers, magazine and newspaper publishers, and business information providers.

Winners and nominees

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.

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

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.

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

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 GOLD Sue Nelson, Boffin Media SILVER Katherine Godfrey, Whistledown Productions BRONZE Also nominated: Kate Cocker, Reform Radio Natalia Golysheva, Freelance Jo Wheeler, Freelance

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.

Rory Carson, BBC Radio 5 live GOLD Gabriela Jones, Wisebuddah SILVER James Shield, The RSA BRONZE Also nominated: Robert Nicholson, Whistledown Productions 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 Mundy, BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat GOLD Tom Whalley, Freelance SILVER Ben Green, Muddy Knees Media BRONZE Also nominated: Mark Sharman, TBI Media

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.

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

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.

Gus Beattie, Gusman Productions GOLD Ed Morrish, Freelance SILVER Giles Gear, Union JACK Radio BRONZE Also nominated: Gareth Gwynn, Freelance David Tyler, Pozzitive

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.

Chris Evans Production Team, BBC Radio 2 GOLD Chris Gilvear, Jazz FM SILVER Mark Carter, BBC Sussex & BBC Surrey BRONZE Also nominated: Annabelle Buckland, JACKfm Nick Carter, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

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

Tamsyn Kent, BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat GOLD Mike Holt, BBC Radio 5 live SILVER Eva Krysiak, Freelance BRONZE Also nominated: Neil Cowling, Fresh Air Production Lucy Dearlove, Freelance Sue Nelson, Boffin Media

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

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

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.

Karen Rose, Sweet Talk Productions GOLD Chris Thompson, Heavy Entertainment SILVER Natalie Steed, Freelance BRONZE Also nominated: Roy McMillan, Penguin Random House Samuel Gunn, Heavy Entertainment Tanya Hougham, HarperCollins Publishers

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

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

BEST STATION SOUND PRODUCER For exceptional contributions to audio imaging and/or station sound production.

Liam Hadley, BBC Radio Pop Hub Station Sound GOLD Ben Stones, BBC Radio Pop Hub Station Sound SILVER Dan Prior, Absolute Radio BRONZE Also nominated: Carl Kinsman, Q Radio Gordon Lundy, Absolute Radio 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.

Steve Urquhart, Listen To Steve GOLD Eloise Whitmore, Naked Productions SILVER Alasdair McGregor, Holy Mountain BRONZE Also nominated: Steve Bond, Freelance Adam Fowler, Overtone Productions Antony Shaw, TBI Media

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.

Reform Radio GOLD Radio Wanno – HMP Wandsworth SILVER Resonance BRONZE Also nominated: PRA Productions/Prison Radio Association 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.

Oliver Jeffers for HarperCollins Publishers GOLD Bill Nighy for Penguin Random House SILVER Jacob Anderson for Penguin Random House BRONZE Also nominated: David Rintoul for Penguin Random House Audio David Walliams for HarperCollins Publishers Lee Ingleby for Penguin Random House Audio

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.

Justin Dealey, BBC Three Counties Radio GOLD Tony Livesey, BBC Radio 5 live SILVER Cole Moreton, TBI Media BRONZE Also nominated: Nihal Arthanayake, BBC Radio 5 live Abdul-Rehman Malik, TBI Media Andrew Mueller, Monocle 24

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.

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

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

Jessie Ware, Table Manners GOLD Martin Morales, Blok Media SILVER Frankie Wells & Anouszka Tate, Project Pleasure – Transmission Roundhouse BRONZE Also nominated: Blanche Girouard, BBC Radio 4 Ronan Keating, Magic Radio Julia Raeside, Great Big Owl

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

Jez Nelson

PRODUCTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR This award recognises and celebrates a company’s success across the year. Wisebuddah GOLD Reduced Listening SILVER Whistledown BRONZE Also nominated: Naked Productions PRA Productions – Prison Radio Association Somethin’ Else