The anticipation is building as nominations for the prestigious AudioUK 2024 Audio Production Awards have officially been announced. Sponsored by Audible, this year’s ceremony will take place on November 20 at the iconic BFI on London’s South Bank. This gala evening promises to celebrate the best in audio production, recognizing excellence across a diverse range of audio content, including podcasts, audiobooks, sound design, radio, and more.
Celebrating the Best in Audio Production
Organized by AudioUK, the Audio Production Awards aim to spotlight outstanding achievements in audio storytelling and production. The awards acknowledge the creative talents that bring audio content to life, highlighting both emerging and established voices in the industry.
Categories and Nominees
Production Company of the Year
The nominees in the Production Company of the Year category, sponsored by Audible, are:
- Almost Tangible
- Blanchard House
- Novel
- Overcoat Media
- Unedited
- Whistledown Productions
Producer of the Year
In the Producer of the Year category, sponsored by The Podcast Show, the following individuals are nominated:
- Charlotte Mélen
- Ed Morrish
- Jon Holmes
- Leonie Thomas
- Meera Kumar
- Talia Augustidis
Honoring New Voices and Presenters
The Presenter/Host and New Voice category features an exciting lineup, including:
- Daisy for RAW for Audible: The Second Victim: Daisy’s Story
- Jake Shears for Queer the Music
- Dan Snow for History Hit
- Craig Charles for his show on BBC Radio 6 Music
This year’s awards also include a new honor, the Best Presenter/Host, which will be presented in memory of David Knowles, the late presenter of the podcast Ukraine: The Latest, who tragically passed away in September.
Grassroots Productions and Innovative Projects
Among the nominees for the Grassroots Production Award, sponsored by Morley Radio, are:
- Carousel Radio – showcasing the voices of individuals with learning disabilities.
- Prison Radio Association – dedicated to producing content from within the prison system.
- An innovative collaboration between University of Manchester and Imperial College London focusing on cough research.
Notable Nominations in Other Categories
This year also sees standout nominations in various categories, showcasing the diverse talent in the audio industry. Here are some highlights:
- Best Narrator:
- Jassa Ahluwalia
- Deborah Ayorinde
- Best Ensemble Cast:
- Nish Kumar and Coco Khan for Pod Save the UK
- Sayeeda Warsi and David Baddiel for A Muslim & A Jew Go There
The Words of AudioUK’s Leadership
Chloe Straw, Managing Director of AudioUK, expressed her excitement about the nominations:
“The breadth of talent in the UK continues to fill me with joy each year. AudioUK’s Audio Production Awards provide a space to celebrate talent in a way that no other awards ceremony offers—spotlighting the producers behind some of the most creative and meticulously produced stories and shows in the world. Congratulations to all the nominees and thank you to all the judges for sharing their time and expertise.”
Sponsorship and Support
The success of the awards is made possible thanks to key partnerships and sponsorships. Audible serves as the lead sponsor, supporting the ceremony and the people who shape the audio industry. The awards also benefit from the contributions of various category sponsors, including BBC Sounds, Everybody Media, and Morley Radio.
In a show of commitment to accessibility, partners like Amazon Music and Wondery offer a Pay What You Can Scheme for attendees needing financial support.
The Chair of Judges Speaks
Megan Bradshaw, Head of Podcasts for Europe, Australia, and New Zealand at Amazon Music and Chair of Judges, shared her insights:
“It was an honour to act as the 2024 Chair of Judges for the APAs. The awards recognize the best in audio production, and we actively encourage our judges to consider the talent that shines this year against the backdrop of the diverse audiences we aspire to serve.”
Bradshaw concluded by congratulating all the nominees and looking forward to the event at one of London’s iconic venues.
Complete List of Nominations
The following categories and nominees highlight the scope of talent recognized at this year’s awards:
Best Audiobook Producer (Sponsored by Sue Terry Voices)
- Alfie Thompson – Penguin Random House
- Chris Thompson – Penguin Random House
- Kate MacDonald – Penguin Random House
- Lily Ridett – Freelance
- Rosemary O’Dowd – Penguin Random House
- Sophie Ahmed – Audio Always
Best Arts & Culture Producer
- Arthur Hagues – Prison Radio Association
- Geoff Bird – Freelance
- Leonie Thomas – Overcoat Media
- Lou Mensah – Shade Productions
- Sharuna Sagar – BBC
- Silas Gray – Eclectivity
Best Comedy Producer
- Bertie Moores – Audio Always
- Ed Morrish – Lead Mojo Productions
- Jon Holmes – Unusual
- Lyndsay Fenner – Mighty Bunny
- Matt Tiller – Tillervision
- Sasha Bobak – BBC Studios Audio
Best Drama and Fiction Producer
- Alex Curran – Granny Eats Wolf
- Boz Temple-Morris – Holy Mountain
- Charlotte Mélen – Almost Tangible
- Nicolas Jackson – Afonica
- Samuel Robinson – Freelance
- Terry Mynott – Moonkarta
Best Ensemble Cast
- Carys Afoko and Gary Younge – Over the Top, Under the Radar
- Nish Kumar and Coco Khan – Pod Save the UK
- Sayeeda Warsi and David Baddiel – A Muslim & A Jew Go There
- The Ensemble Cast of Green Wing: Resuscitated
- William Hanson and Jordan North – Help I Sexted My Boss
- Zak and Jules – Life After Prison
Best Entertainment Producer
- Charlie Murrell – Sony Music Entertainment
- David Manero – Listen
- Faye Lyons-White – Loftus Media
- Helena Webb – BBC Radio 1 / BBC Audio
- Josephine McDermott – BBC News
- Katie Boden – TBI Media
Best Factual/Documentary Producer (Sponsored by Great Big Story)
- Anna Sinfield – Novel
- Emma Barnaby – Freelance/Raw TV
- Jude Shapiro – Peanut & Crumb
- Meera Kumar – Freelance
- Ross Sutherland – Falling Tree Productions
- Talia Augustidis – Falling Tree Productions
Best Lifestyle and Society Producer (Sponsored by Everybody Media)
- Anne McNaught – Boffin Media
- Beth Madden – Prison Radio Association
- Catherine Carr – Pocket Productions/Whistledown
- Lina Prestwood – Scenery Studios and Social Broadcasts
- Matt Nielson – Chalk and Blade
- Sam Taylor – Prison Radio Association
Best Music Producer
- James Taylor – Overcoat Media
- Matt Tasker – BBC Audio
- Ollie Brookes – Prison Radio Association
- Rob Littlejohn – Independent
- Shreni Yajnik – Listen
- Silvia Malnati – Reduced Listening
Best New Producer (Sponsored by Amazon Music and Wondery)
- Cat Gough – Reduced Listening
- Jasmine Hill – Listen
- Mahsa Chadry – Audio Always
- Nadia Medhi – Freelance
- Taqwa Sadiq – Freelance and BBC
- Verity de Cala – Transmission Roundhouse
Best New Voice (Sponsored by BBC Sounds)
- Anouska Lewis – BBC Sounds Audio Lab & Mags Creative
- Daisy – RAW for Audible
- Jake Shears – Mercury Studios
- Petra Barran – Scenery Studios and Social Broadcasts
- Lucinda Rouse – Haymarket Media Group & Rethink Audio
- Sophiena – Audio Always
Best News and Current Affairs Producer
- Courtney Yusuf – The Guardian
- Edward Drummond – Times Media
- James Shield – Freelance/The Times and Sunday Times
- Sam Chantarasak – The Times and Sunday Times
- Tim Johns – BBC
- Will Roe – The Times and Sunday Times
Best Presenter/Host (Presented in Honour of David Knowles)
- Craig Charles – Audio Always
- Dan Snow – History Hit
- Jake Harris – Yoto
- Jon Holmes – Freelance
- Josie Long – Falling Tree Productions
- Justin Dealey – BBC Three Counties Radio
Best Sonic Branding Producer
- Adam Venton – Little Monster Media
- Emily Roberts – Kerrang! Radio and Planet Rock Station Sound
- Gordon Lundy – Absolute Radio
- James Stodd – Greatest Hits Radio
- Matt Barnard – Bauer Media Group
- Sam Parker – WIZZFX
Best Sound Design Producer
- Amber Devereux – Tin Can Audio
- David Chilton – Almost Tangible
- Martin Austwick – Freelance
- Nathan Freeman – Granny Eats Wolf
- Tess Davidson – Freelance
- Tony Churnside – Freelance
Best Sports Producer
- Finn Ranson – Stak
- Ilona Toller – Whistledown Productions
- Jack Winstanley – IMG
- Joe Aldridge – IMG
- Justin Dealey – BBC Three Counties Radio
- Lochlainn Harte – Freelance
Grassroots Production Award (Sponsored by Morley Radio)
- Carousel Radio
- Lou Mensah – Shade Podcast
- Prison Radio Association – Life After Prison
- Prison Radio Association – Out of Touch
- University of Manchester and Imperial College London – How We Cough
Best Audio Book Producer (Sponsored by Sue Terry Voices)
- Alfie Thompson – Penguin Random House
- Chris Thompson – Penguin Random House
- Kate MacDonald – Penguin Random House
- Lily Ridett – Freelance
- Rosemary O’Dowd – Penguin Random House
- Sophie Ahmed – Audio Always
Best Audiobook Narrator
- Jassa Ahluwalia
- Deborah Ayorinde
Conclusion
The 2024 Audio Production Awards promise to be a memorable night, celebrating the incredible talent in the audio industry. With nominations spanning various categories, it showcases a rich tapestry of creativity and innovation. Mark your calendars for November 20th, and join in the celebration of audio excellence!
