New York Festivals International Radio Program & Promotion Awards, honoring “The World’s Best Radio Programs™,” announced the 2011 Radio Awards Finalists.  This year’s Grand Jury selected 183 entries from 26 countries as Finalists. Each year, NYF’s Radio Awards competition honors the most original and innovative work in radio broadcasting, with entries from radio stations, networks, and independent producers from around the world.

The following prominent international companies took the lead in the preliminary judging round:  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with 19 Finalists; RTE Ireland, with 15 Finalists; Australian Broadcasting Corporation with 10 Finalists; Reliance Broadcast Network India, with 8 Finalists; and BBC with 6 Finalists. In addition, both TBI Media Ltd England and GMG United Kingdom were each honored with 5 Finalists.  All Radio Finalists will go on to the second round of judging to determine Gold, Silver, and Bronze award winners. 

NYF’s esteemed Jury had this to say about the caliber of this year’s entries:

“I’ve had a long association with the New York Festivals and was delighted to be able to take part once again in the judging of these outstanding entries. It is so reassuring in this age of multi-media distractions for radio audiences that producers around the world meet the challenges of competition by producing the highest caliber of radio for their audiences.  The joy of judging this prestigious event is the opportunity to hear the world's best radio from around the globe.  The truly international nature of the entries and the judging makes this a unique event in the world of radio broadcasting and podcasting.  I had the pleasure of listening to many thought provoking, creative and entertaining entries that proved radio is very much alive today and continuing to explore new frontiers.”  - John MacCalman Broadcast Producer/Consultant, Aviation Journalist.

 “The New York Festivals Internationals Radio Program---what an impressive and tough competition!  The entries come from a variety of categories and formats from all over the world.... And--wow! It is thrilling to listen to inspired talent and great content!” - Blanquita Cullum, President Young American Broadcasters, USA.

 “I have spent the last several hours truly enjoying and appreciating the fine entries in this year's New York Festivals International Radio Awards competition. I have served as a judge in several prestigious radio awards competitions and I must say, this was a real treat. If those I judged tonight are representative examples of the larger group, I offer my congratulations to the wonderful crop of entries this year,” said Michael Freedman, Professor of Media and Public Affairs, The George Washington University, and Executive Director of GW Global Media Institute.  “And as a Gold World Medal recipient, both here at George Washington University and in my previous tenure as general manager of CBS Radio Network, I know how much these honors mean to the winners.  So, it was my honor and pleasure to serve as a judge this year.”

2011 Finalists include: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, for “Pakistan Floods - Baby Benazir”; BBC Radio 2 England, for “To Kill a Mocking Bird at 50”; Ben Manilla Productions Inc. USA, for “Jimi Hendrix: West Coast Seattle Boy - The Radio Special”; CBS Television Distribution, USA for “ET Beth Holloway Exclusive”; ESPN Bristol USA, for “ESPN: Scared Straight”; KBS (Korean Broadcasting System), Republic of South Korea, for “Korea, China, Japan - A Story of Three Nations”; Radio Mango India, for “World Aids Day”; Radio Mitre S.A Argentina, for “Radio X”; RTE Radio 1 Ireland for “The Burial at Thebes by Seamus Heaney”; Sirius XM Radio, USA for “The History of Howard Stern Act IV”; Showtime USA, for “Nurse Jackie”; Ten Alps Radio England, for “John Lennon: The New York Years”; and Wise Buddha Creative England, for “Jagger's Jukebox”.

New York Festivals continually adapts its categories to mirror worldwide programming trends in the broadcast industry.  This year three outstanding entries were honored in the newly launched Heroes category: Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. for their entry, “We are all Laila,” Radio Netherlands Worldwide, for their entry “A Mother's Hope,” and Reliance Broadcast Network Limited for their entry “Big Mumbaikar.” This new category recognizes stories of ordinary people whose acts of heroism or advocacies have touched the lives of people and set an example for others to follow.  Reliance Broadcast Network Limited was recognized as a Finalist for their entry “Green Durga Pooja” in the recently added Green Promotion category.   Their entries “Short Songs” and “Hindostaan” also received Finalist status in the new PSA category.  

Trophy winners will be honored at a gala awards ceremony to be held on Monday, June 20th at the Manhattan Penthouse located at 80 Fifth Avenue (at 14th St and Union Square).   To purchase tickets go to: http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/main.php?p=4,4

All entries were judged by the NYF Radio Program & Promotion Awards Grand Jury, consisting of radio experts from stations and companies around the globe. The jury represents the most recognizable voices and experienced programming producers in the medium of radio.
 
Each entry is judged on its own merits.  All entries are judged on their production values, organization, presentation of information, creativity, and use of the medium.  Each jury member listens to and scores entries via the NYF online judging website.
 
A complete list of the 2011 NYF Radio Program & Promotion Awards Finalists are featured on the website at www.newyorkfestivals.com.

All winning entries will be featured in the Showcase section of our website and promoted by our network of representatives in 75 countries around the world.

All press inquiries are welcome and should be directed to Gayle Mandel: gmandel@newyorkfestivals.com.  Ph: 1 212 643 4800

International Awards Group organizes advertising and programming competitions for the following brands:  AME Awards for Advertising Marketing Effectiveness; Midas Awards for Financial Services Communications; The Global Awards for Healthcare Communications; NYF Advertising Awards; NYF Television & Film Awards; and NYF Radio Programs & Promotions.  Entries to each of the competitions are judged around the world by panels of peers in their respective industries. Founded in 1957, IAG and their brands now have representation in 75 countries. For more information, go to www.newyorkfestivals.com.