ONE of the best-known names in Scottish radio has been recognised at an awards ceremony celebrating the best of commercial radio.
Jay Crawford has been named the recipient of the Chairman’s Award at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards.
Crawford first shot to prominence as a presenter on Radio Forth, as a presenter. At Real Radio Scotland for ten years, initially as programme director and latterly as brand director (UK), he stepped down in December on health grounds.
And Real Radio Scotland was among the top winners, with the Breakfast Show of the Year (over one million TSA) prize going to hosts, Ewen Cameron and Cat Harvey.
Say the organisers: “The Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards, now in their 17th year, are organised by RadioCentre, the industry body for commercial radio, and recognise excellence and achievement across the whole spectrum of commercial radio output, from presenters and programming to advertising and marketing.”
Global Radio led the awards scooping eight gongs.
Last week, it was announced that Global had acquired the owners of Real Radio Scotland, GMG Radio.
Crawford began presenting on Radio Forth in 1974. When he joined The Wireless Group in 2000, he had been head of programmes at Forth, having returned there from a three-year spell presenting at Radio Clyde. Wireless then owned the likes of Scot FM and when Real Radio owners, GMG, purchased Scot FM to relaunch it as Real Radio Scotland, Crawford then joined them.
His illness has left him without hearing in his right ear and only 60 per cent capacity in his left one.
He told allmediascotland.com: “It was a complete surprise, I am absolutely delighted, really thrilled. The speech by [awards chair] John Myers was very touching.”
An additional thrill was being congratulated immediately after walking off the stage – where Crawford had received a standing ovation from the 600 guests – by fellow winner, the Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood. The Stones are one of Crawford’s all-time favourite bands.
Listen to an audio interview with Jay, done on the night, here.
The full list of winners reads:
Presenter of the Year (under one million TSA)
Trevor Marshall 106 JACKfm Oxfordshire
Presenter of the Year (over one million TSA)
Danny Wallace XFM
Programmer of the Year
James Brownlow 95.8 Capital FM
Newcomer(s) of the Year
Emma Barnett LBC 97.3
Journalist or News Team of the Year (Ali Booker Memorial Award – in memory of former winner, journalist Ali Booker, who died of breast cancer in 2010)
Radio Aire News Radio Aire
Station of the Year (<300,000 TSA)
Isle of Wight Radio
Station of the Year (300,000 to one million TSA)
106 JACKfm Oxfordshire
Station of the Year (over one million TSA)
Absolute Radio
Breakfast Show of the Year (under one million TSA)
The Bay Breakfast with Danny Matthews The Bay
Breakfast Show of the Year (over one million TSA)
Real Radio Breakfast with Ewen & Cat Real Radio Scotland
Feature(s) of the Year
Ronnie Wood – The Guests Absolute Radio
Specialist Programme of the Year
The Ronnie Wood Show Absolute Radio
Social Action Initiative
Cocaine Unwrapped Real Radio North West
Station Imaging Award
106 JACKfm Oxfordshire
Marketing Award
Touch FM – Pride of Stratford Awards 2012
Radio Station Event of the Year
Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball
Local Sales Team of the Year
Gem 106
National Sales Team of the Year
Global Radio
Best Branded Content
Arla Starbuck’s Frappuccino and Capital FM Summertime Ball Carat / Capital FM Carat / Global
Best Creative Campaign
Honda – Do You Believe In The Power of Dreams? Wieden + Kennedy, London
Most Effective Campaign
Heart & More Th>n 2011 Heart Global / Mediavest
Advertiser of the Year
Unilever
Media Agency of the Year
Mediacom
PPL Most Played
Adele
PPL Breakthrough
Jessie J
Lifetime Achievement
John Pickford Key 103
RadioCentre Chairman’s Award
Jay Crawford Real Radio Scotland
Gold Award
Classic FM
