MUMBAI: The year 2008 marked history in Indian radio entertainment with BIG 92.7 FM, receiving international acclaim at the New York Festivals sweeping four awards. The year 2009 sees Indian Radio entertainment once again on the global map as the New York Festivals invites BIG 92.7 FM vice president – programming Nirupam Sonu and Radio City 91.1FM executive vice president and national head – programming and marketing Rana Barua to be on the jury of the New York Festivals – 2009, judging the Radio Programming and Promotions category.
Established in 1982, the New York Festivals Radio Programming and Promotion Awards recognizes the World’s Best Work in radio broadcasting. The competition honours the most original and innovative work in radio broadcasting with entries from radio stations, networks and independent producers from around the globe and is judged by a broad segment of industry professionals comprising of some of the best names in the business today.
This is for the first time that there has been representation from the Indian radio fraternity on the radio Jury making Nirupam and Barua the first Indian radio professionals to join the radio panel. Joining some of most recognizable voices and captivating programming producers in the medium of radio from 5 continents and over 30 countries, Nirupam and Barua would review entries from radio stations, networks and independent producers across the globe.
International Awards Group New York executive director Leslie Rasimas who is responsible for the Radio Programming awards platform said, “As India emerges as an important country in the role of the media, it is an honour to have our first jury members from India for the 2009 Radio Programming and Promotion Awards. Nirupam Sonu and Rana Barua will join other world class judges invited from all over the globe to come together and judge the world’s best work in Radio Programming and to laud excellence in each of the categories put before the jury and decide and deliver their judgment for the International Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. They will be responsible for judging work done by some of the greatest producers of radio programs from all over the world.”
“I feel honored to be part of such a prestigious jury and am looking forward to hearing some of the world’s best work on radio. Novel and creative offerings which puts meaning to the phrase ‘theatre of the mind’, making the most of this aural medium!” said Sonu.
Barua says, "Indian creativity has been accepted worldwide across the realm of media, advertising and communications. With cross cultural boundaries making way for a global marketplace, more and more Indians are getting into the fray. While radio makes it’s mark in India, it will be particularly interesting to observe how brands worldwide are leveraging the medium to optimize on the power of aural suggestion!"
Some of the jury members include Ally Ballingall of Radio Tay London, England; Peter A. Musngi of Manila Radio Division, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation; Paul Baxter of Risk Sound, Port, Melbourne Australia; Dr. Dolkum Kamberi of Radio Free Asia, Washington DC, USA among others.
Judges from India will not judge entries from the country of their own origin but will qualify for taking a decision on submissions from the rest of the world thus allowing for a fair and just examination of talent that goes into the making and presentation of the matter submitted.
