National podcast awards announced for Australia

From a press release to news@media.info
Posted 24 October 2016, 9.55pm edt

In an Australian first, 10 Australian podcasts will be formally recognised by their peers as the country’s best in a brand new award series The Cast Away Awards that pays homage to Australia’s rich talent in audio production.

The Cast Away Awards recognises the significant local growth of podcasting following the explosion of US podcasts including This American Life and Serial in recent years.

Cast Away Awards creator Dave Gertler said initial nominations for registration have exceeded expectations with 150 podcasts already nominated.

“I have already been blown away with the level of interest in the awards, particularly among the independent podcast community.” Mr Gertler said.

In the past year alone Australian podcast listenership has grown by 14% outstripping year-on-year growth of traditional media including mainstream radio and free-to-air television.

“I felt the time was ripe to celebrate the Australian podcast community and the significant contribution local content producers make to this ever evolving medium,” said Mr Gertler.

Ten podcast categories have been announced for the awards and five judges have been recruited to a growing panel of podcast experts.

“There are three things I hope to do with the Cast Away Awards,” says founder Dave Gertler, “Give Australian podcasters something to dream about, raise the profile of podcasting in Australia, and increase the sense of community among Australian podcasters.”

The Cast Away Awards will begin accepting entries in late 2016, with podcasters being honoured at an event in Sydney on 25th March 2017.

The awards will take place at Ambush Gallery in Waterloo, Sydney, on 25th March 2017. Cast Away invites expressions of interest from all Australian podcasters, aspiring podcasters, podcast enthusiasts and media to participate in the Cast Away Awards.

More details can be found at castawayawards.com.au