TRN’s Newstalk ZB Dominant in Radio Awards
08 May 2014 – The Radio Network’s (TRN’s) Newstalk ZB, New Zealand’s market leading radio station, took out key awards at this year’s annual Radio Awards.
Dallas Gurney, General Manager of Talk Programming was awarded Best Programmer of the Year, Mike Hosking received the award for Best Talk or Current Affairs Host – All Markets and Leighton Smith winning Best Talkback Host – All Markets, all for the second consecutive year.
“We know Newstalk ZB is going from strength to strength which has only been reinforced with the recent commercial survey
where Newstalk ZB continued to be the nation’s number one station. We couldn’t be more pleased to see Dallas, Mike and
Leighton recognised for their significant contribution by winning these awards,” says Dean Buchanan, Chief Content
Officer, TRN.
Hosking says his motivation comes from his listeners.
“I am proud to have won four out of the five nominations I have been a finalist for over the past five years. Our
listeners are actively engaged and this is what drives me. This awards is appreciated and it really speaks volumes for
the team of people I work with,” he says.
Gurney was humbled in winning the award for the second year.
“My job is made easier by working with the best talent in the industry, I love what I do and am thrilled to receive this
award again,” says Gurney.
TRN were also awarded the majority of the creative advertising and promotional campaign awards taking out the One-Off Community Campaign, Best Single Market Station Promotion, Best Direct Client Campaign, Best Agency Client
Campaign, Best Single Commercial - Creative, Best Commercial Campaign - Effectiveness and Best Jingle categories.
“We are really proud of all of our finalists and winners being recognised for their hard work by their industry peers,”
says Buchanan.
With these awards being for activity in 2013, TRN did not feel it was appropriate to enter talent that would no longer
be with the stations they had the potential to win awards for.
“We were very conscious of timing and knew these awards would coincide with our exciting network announcements with
Polly and Grant (Polly Gillespie and Grant Kereama) launching the new “Polly and Grant Show” on the Hits and the introduction of Fletch, Vaughan and Megan on ZM Breakfast. The radio landscape has definitely
changed for 2014 and TRN is excited about the future,” says Buchanan.
ENDS