[cma-l] Sony Awards & Community Radio

[Steven Suttie]

Dear Jaqui, Phil and Ed, and All,

What an interesting topic!

I think that Ed has some valid points - but I disagree that awards are 
so, so.

Our station was on air just 7 months when we came 2nd in the Salford 
Business Awards "Community Business of the Year." This was a phenomenal 
achievement... so my ego is satisfied with that. However, my ego isn't 
all that important - but the success of my station is.

As a direct result of this success, our profile was lifted across the 
city within days - great contacts were made, new advertisers recruited 
and the awards were presented by Felicity Goody, (Media City UK) Hazel 
Blears, (MP for Salford) and Councillor John Merry (leader of the City 
Council.)

The local paper, delivered free to 90,000 letterboxes ran a two page 
spread on us following this achievement. Most importantly of all - we 
got over 20 new volunteer enquiries from this exposure.

So a national "CMA SONY RADIO AWARDS" exclusive to our unique industry 
would be a phenomenal step forward for all of us.

It would have the SONY kudos, but exclude "todays better music mix" type 
rubbish.

How it could be funded is another matter...but I hope all of my 
community radio colleagues would agree that this could be a fantastic 
event for networking, publicity and increasing our volunteers efforts in 
what they do.

I believe this MUST happen!

Great work to all involved, particularly Jaqui for kick starting the 
process!

Kindest Regards
Steve Suttie
Station Manager, 94.4FM Salford City Radio
0161 793 2939 (Office) 07772 355852 (Mobile)
CHECK OUT: http://www.salfordcityradio.org