Entries have officially closed for the Siren Awards – a new national award for creative agencies, which will recognise excellence in commercial radio advertising.
Commercial Radio Australia CEO, Joan Warner, was keen for all advertising agencies and creative writers for radio to enter the awards.
“… these awards provide important peer recognition for writing exceptional and innovative creative for radio and are set to become very prestigious in the creative field.”
Winners will be announced before Christmas. Initial awards will be presented for material, aired between January and October. There are two categories – Radio Single and Radio Campaign. A campaign consists of no less than three different commercials.
Winners will be eligible to win a trip to Cannes and enter their ad next year in the inaugural radio category. Winners will also receive a trophy and their advertisement will be displayed on the Sirens’ website.
Winners will be announced every two months, with an annual winner automatically entered into the Cannes Radio Award in June 2005.
Initially, judging will be undertaken by the Siren Creative Council, comprising leading creative directors from national advertising agencies, and then the bi-monthly winner will judge the next entries. The winning ads will be accessible on a dedicated website which, over time, will provide an archive of award winning radio commercials.
The trophy for the Siren Awards is a contemporary design of the Greek mythology figure, after which the awards have been named.
Joan Warner says the half human, half bird makes for a great trophy and reflects the essence of the Siren Awards: creativity, innovation and excellence.
”The awards were the brainchild of the Siren Council, which was set up to help promote radio advertising and devise strategies to improve and foster the medium.
“The Council will continue its positive work to promote radio advertising and is looking at other ideas, including broadening education and training programs – already on offer for radio copywriters – and establishing a library of creative excellence, featuring some of the best radio ads from around the world.”
For more information on the Siren Awards, click on the link below.