The Love Radio Awards – the annual event which honours achievements in the radio advertising industry – took place in the Ballsbridge Hotel last night.
The celebration of radio advertising – now in its third year – is sponsored by RTÉ Media Sales, UTV Radio Solutions, Media Central, Number 4 Windmill Lane and Classic Hits 4FM.
The black-tie gala event was attended by over 330 people from within the ad industry and featured a special live recording of a radio ad with voiceover artists Dawn Bradfield, Brendan McDonald and Orlaith Rafter on hand to record it.
Comedian Colm O’Regan also made a welcome return as MC for the night, following his success at the inaugural awards night two years ago.
The big winner of the night was creative agency “Chemistry” who – despite their fears at being seated at table 13! – scooped five prizes including the coveted “Creative Agency of the Year” gong.
Who said 13 is an unlucky number? @chemistrylab pic.twitter.com/Vbu36dfH26
— Eimear Dennis (@eimeardennis) November 15, 2014
Elsewhere, Mutiny beat off the likes of Digges Lane, iRadio and RTÉ to take the “Best Production Studio” prize, while youth broadcaster iRadio won the radio station sales team award for local/regional stations, RTÉ Radio took the equivalent national award, Today FM were named Creative Radio Station of the Year and Classic Hits 4FM scooped two prizes – including one for the best national radio station ad.
Love Radio Awards 2014 Winners:
Station Promotion: Cork’s 96FM, Mercy Hospital Foundation, “Radiothon Begins” , Keith Murphy
Collaboration: Carat Ireland, Newstalk 106-108, Diageo Ireland, “Carlsberg and Newstalk 106-108 – Join the Greats”
Most Effective Radio Campaign: Carat Ireland, Newstalk 106-108, Diageo Ireland, “Carlsberg and Newstalk 106-108 – Join the Greats”
Best Integrated Radio Campaign: Chemistry, Lidl, Lidl Valentines, Emmet Wright
Most Innovative Use of Radio: Mediacom, Media Central /iRadio/ Spin 103.8/ Red FM/ Spin South West/Beat 102 103 and 98FM, Muller Rice, “Muller Rice Remix”
Radio Craft Award: Boys and Girls / Mutiny, RTE Radio and IBI, “Choose Radio ‘[T&Cs]”, Rory Hamilton
Radio Station Sales Team – National: RTÉ Radio
Radio Station Sales Team – Local/Regional: iRadio
Commercial Radio Promotion: Midlands 103, “The Benefits of Smoking”, Brian De Salvo
Radio Sponsorship: UTV Radio Solutions, Associated News, Irish Daily Mail
Campaign: Chemistry, Lidl, “Lidl Valentines”, Emmet Wright
Travel & Tourism: Rothco, Dublin Bus – Network Noel, John McMahon
Media: Publicis Dublin, TG4, “Seachtar Dearmadtha”, Des Creedon
Telecoms & IT: Boys and Girls, Three, Three “Everything”, Rory Hamilton
Retail: Chemistry, Lidl, “Lidl Valentines”, Emmet Wright
Entertainment & Leisure: Today FM, Aiken Promotions, “DES BISHOP ‘Coming Home'”, Sinead Buckley / Des Bishop
Financial: Downtown Radio, LOGBOOK LOANS NI, “OH AYE 10SECS”, Keith Law
Charity: Newstalk 106-108, Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) – “Paul’s Story/Jan’s Story” Jan Battles/Paul Lannon/Jonathon Healy/Helen Moorehouse
Food & Drink: Bloom, Just Eat, ” Just Eat Foodbrain Weather Report”, Conor Flynn
Motor: Classic Hits 4fm, Conlans BMW, “Prediction”, David O Gara
Government: Chemistry, Irish Blood Transfusion Service, “Summer Supply”, Laura Fitzgerald
Radio Station Ad – Local: Mid West Radio, Bayleaf Restaurant, “Escape from the Kitchen”, Padraic Walsh
Radio Station Ad – Regional/Main City: Downtown Radio, Cool FM, “STAND UP”, Keith Law / Gavin Campbell
Radio Station Ad – Dublin: Sunshine 106.8, Diagnostic Audiology, “EAR SHOTS”, Helen Moorehouse
Radio Station Ad – National: Classic Hits 4fm, Amen, “Vows”, David O’ Gara
Best Production Studio [Both in-house and out]: Mutiny
Louise Jesson Radio Star Award (Outstanding Achievement): Catherine Donnelly
Creative Radio Agency of the Year: Chemistry
Creative Radio Station of the Year: Today FM
Radio Ad of the Year: Boys and Girls / Mutiny, RTÉ Radio and The IBI, “Choose Radio ‘[The T’s&C’s]”, Rory Hamilton
Note: While Silver and bronze winners were also announced on the night, we are only noting the overall (“Gold”) winners here. The full winners list (including silver and bronze) can be seen here.