NOVA Entertainment celebrated a successful night at the 2024 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs), securing nine awards across the business.
Featuring an extensive lineup of hosts including Nova Podcasts’ Brooke Blurton and Matty Mills, Smooth FM’s Melissa Doyle and Richard Wilkins, along with Nova’s Tim Blackwell, Joel Creasey, Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald, Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli, and Kate Ritchie, the 35th annual ACRA Awards took place at a gala event at The Star in Sydney.
NOVA Entertainment was recognised across talent, programming, marketing, commercial and people initiatives, with winners represented in both metro and non metro regions.
Among the highlights, Andrew ‘Hayesy’ Hayes, host of Nova 919’s Jodie & Hayesy Breakfast Show, won The Brenno / Best New Talent On Air – Radio (Metro), while Nova 100’s Ben, Liam & Belle took home Best Comedy Segment for the second year in a row for their Aussie We Didn’t Start The Fire segment.
Head of Music for the Nova Network, Scott Baker-Smith, was also recognised as Music Director of the Year.
NOVA Entertainment’s Marketing Team not only took home Marketing Team of the Year, but also won Best Marketing Campaign with their work on Smooth FM’s Together in Music. The NOVA Entertainment Adelaide Direct Sales Team also had an outstanding night, winning Sales Team of the Year (Metro).
NOVA Entertainment CEO Peter Charlton expressed his pride in NOVA’s achievements on the night:
“It’s so great to see our achievements honoured tonight, reflecting the talent and commitment that drives NOVA Entertainment forward, with every area of the business recognised. In particular, winning the Diversity & Inclusion Award for the second year in a row is a source of immense pride for us all.
“I want to recognise the dedication and hard work of all our teams, both behind the scenes and on-air, who bring so much passion to everything we do. We’re laser-focused on our All of Audio strategy and committed to delivering this award-winning combination to both our listeners and advertisers.”
Full list of NOVA Entertainment ACRAS Winners for 2024:
THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (METRO)
Andrew ‘Hayesy’ Hayes; Nova 919, Adelaide, SA, NOVA Entertainment
BEST COMEDY SEGMENT (METRO)
Aussie We Didn’t Start The Fire; Ben Harvey, Liam Stapleton, Belle Jackson, NOVA 100, Melbourne, VIC, NOVA Entertainment
SALES TEAM OF THE YEAR (NATIONAL)
Adelaide Direct Sales Team; Adelaide, SA, NOVA Entertainment
MOST CREATIVE SALES SOLUTION (NON METRO)
Archibald by ALAND; Lauren Montgomery, Alice Worthy, Star 104.5, Central Coast, NSW, NOVA Entertainment
MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR
NOVA Entertainment Marketing; National, NOVA Entertainment
BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN (NATIONAL)
Smooth FM – Together in Music; NOVA Entertainment Marketing, National, NOVA Entertainment
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN (METRO)
Unique Homestyle Foods; CREATE – Darren Russell, Eddie Bye, Adelaide, SA, NOVA Entertainment
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Scott Baker-Smith; Nova Network, Melbourne, VIC, NOVA Entertainment
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD
Sound Future; NOVA Entertainment, Sydney, NSW, NOVA Entertainment