Winners Announced for the 2018 Audio Production Awards
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.
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.
Trevor Nelson was awarded Gold for ‘Best Presenter – Music’.
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.
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.
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.”
FULL LIST – 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