Cardiff Student Media Awards 2015
Programme of Events
In association with
Schedule 7pm - Champagne reception 8pm - Meal served 9:30pm - Awards 11:30pm - Afterparty
About the host
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ccording to 24/7 Magazine, our host Dan Thomas is “leading the next generation of Welsh comedy”. A fitting host, Thomas’ first ever gig was in Cardiff ’s “Yellow Kangaroo”. With a career spanning the last decade his stand up routine earned him a place in the final of the Welsh Unsigned Stand-up Awards 2010, as well as the Loaded LAFTAS in the same year. Thomas was also crowned winner of the inaugural South Wales Dog Eat Dog Stand Up contest. Since his discovery, Thomas now regularly tours Britain, playing high profile venues such as Highlights and The Comedy Store, and has supported award winning comedian Russell Kane on both his hugely popular tours, “Smokescreens and Castles” in 2011, and “Manscaping” in 2013. The Welshman also works on TV and stage. He has had roles on programmes including The Rhodri Williams Show and What’s the Story. Thomas starred in the 2010 sellout play “And The Killer Is…”, and works as a warmup artist for TV shows including Channel 4’s Deal or No Deal.
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Thomas now regularly plays at high profile venues such as Highlights and The Comedy Store
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About the Cardiff Student Media awards
“ T It’s about being able to juggle what is essentially a proper job alongside your studies
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his year marks the 18th-annual student media awards. Since the inception of the event, we’ve recognised rising stars of the journalistic world. For many of Cardiff ’s most esteemed alumni, this is where their careers started. Those who take home awards tonight will likely go on to enjoy great careers. Even then, those who don’t take home awards are still likely to achieve great things. The range of professional judges in the following programme and the many kind words they have offered all entrants is testament to that. Tonight, we’re all winners. This isn’t just about who wins what - it’s about recognising the hard work and trajectory of growth from individuals in all four media platforms this year. It’s about being able to juggle what is essentially a proper job alongside your studies, and having somebody significant in the industry tell you that you’ve done a good job of it. How many other students can say that at the end of their degree? And it’s not just about showmanship or who has the most bylines. You will no doubt be surrounded by those who recognise your work for what it is. While many of our awards are professionally judged, others are judged by the student media cohort. We’ve sought to recognise not just those who make a great deal of the work they do, but also those people who work behind the scenes, and keep student media operating smoothly. Whether you’re in it for the long haul or just volunteering for fun, these awards will one day be a distant memory. Many people have worked on this ceremony, making sure that what memories you’re left with will be the best they can be. It’s our hope that this will be the best end possible to a brilliant year, and we hope you leave tonight thinking we succeeded. So without further ado - enjoy the evening, and best of luck.
The Judges Vicki Blight Judging best newcomer for Xpress Radio “Vicki’s love of radio began during her time at Xpress Radio. She currently presents across the Absolute Radio network and has previously presented on Radio 1 and 6 music. Alongside presenting, Vicki works as a voiceover artist and continuity announcer for Sky and Channel 5.” David Owens Judging best critic for Quench Magazine “Also known as A Sound Reaction, Owens has a weekly column in the Western Mail and the South Wales Echo about Welsh music. More generally, he is a multimedia news journalist, specialising in the arts.” Martyn Ingram Judging best editor for Cardiff Union TV “Martyn Ingram has been an executive producer and commissioner at the BBC and with Presentable/Zodiak Media. He established Wales&Co early in 2012, aiming to make the best factual programmes from Wales. Martyn is currently working on The Wales Report.” Andy Edwards Judging best use of multimedia content for Gair Rhydd “Andy Edwards works for the British Council as a digital content manager. Edwards previously worked on the digital team at the BBC.” Kirstie McCrum Judging best short form writer for Quench Magazine “An award-winning features journalist, McCrum started her career in student media, editing her school newspaper in Northern Ireland, as well as writing for The Saint at the University of St. Andrews. She now writes for and edits the supplements in the Western Mail.” Emma Cook Judging best on-screen personality for Cardiff Union TV “Emma was Head of Music at Exeter’s student radio station Xpression FM before studying Broadcast Journalism here in Cardiff. Emma now lives in manchester and works on some of the BBC’s most high profile programmes, including London 2012 and the Winter Olympics.” Jo Rees and Chris Sheppard Judging best designer for Quench Magazine “Rees (pictured) is the editorial director and founder of Salt Media, which publishes respected titles like food magazine, The Trencherman’s Guide, and Re:Story. Sheppard is a Senior Designer at Salt Media.”
Simon Farrington Judging best events coverage for Gair Rhydd “A journalist with more than 35 years of experience, Simon Farrington began his career as an editor as the editor-in-chief of Celtic weekly newspapers at Wales Online, before working as the business development editor at the Western Mail and South Wales Echo and later the editor of Wales on Sunday.” Steve Austins Judging best speech show for Xpress Radio “Steve Austins has been Editor of BBC Radio Wales since July 2009. He has previously served as Assistant Editor at the station, and has also produced its breakfast and drivetime shows.s He has also worked as a marketing marketing manager for BBC Wales. Steve started his radio career before University at Red Dragon FM.” Ben Bryant Judging best long form writer for Quench Magazine “One of Cardiff Student Media’s more renown alumni, Bryant used to edit both Quench and Gair Rhydd. He moved onto the investigations team working at the Telegraph, and is now currently a writer and producer for the British side of VICE.” Huw Thomas Judging best feature for Cardiff Union TV “Part of the team that founded CUTV in 2007, Huw remains in close contact with the TV station. Since September 2012 he has been Arts and Media Correspondent for BBC Cymru Wales, reporting for television, radio and online services in English and Welsh.” Meirion Jones Judging journalist of the year for Gair Rhydd “Meirion Jones is a British journalist and the former editor of BBC Newsnight. Described as the “nonpareil investigative journalist”, Jones won the 2013 London Press Award for Scoop of the Year for his part in the investigation into Jimmy Savile. Jones also served Gair Rhydd as its first full-time editor.” Neil Sloan Judging best entertainment show for Xpress Radio “Neil Sloan is the Programme Controller of Capital South Wales. Previously he was a daytime producer at Radio 1, and the Executive Producer of Wise Buddah’s BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music programmes, including Weekend Wogan and Mary Anne Hobbs.”
Jo Street Judging best programme for Cardiff Union TV “Jo is the Acting Controller on BBC Daytime. She has responsibility for all daytime commissioning across BBC One and BBC Two, alongside The One Show and 6-7pm on BBC Two. Jo has worked across a variety of some of Daytime’s most popular shows including Countryfile, Holiday Of My Lifetime with Len Goodman.” Isabel Hardman Judging writer of the year for Gair Rhydd “Isabel Hardman is assistant editor at the Spectator Magazine, the world’s oldest-running English-language print magazine. She also works as a columnist for the Daily Telegraph, and presents the Week in Westminster for BBC Radio 4. Previously, she worked at PoliticsHome and freelanced for the Guardian, the Times, and other publications.” Emily Dicks Judging best specialist show for Xpress radio “Emily was Head of Specialist Progamming during her time at Xpress and won the Best Specialist Category in 2005. Following her graduation, she worked as a producer across the Radio 1 and 1Xtra network. She is currently working as an impact producer at Radio 4, working on shows including Woman’s Hour.” Johannes Laubmeier Judging best editor for Quench Magazine “Another CSM veteran, Laubmeier was Features Editor at Quench in 2012/13. He’s done a bachelor degree in journalism, a Masters in Critical Theory at Cardiff and a Masters in social anthropology at Cambridge. He now lives in Berlin where he works as a freelance reporter for newspapers including Tagespiegel. Most importantly, he likes puppies and mini cheddars.” Tim Gordon Judging best section for Gair Rhydd “Tim Gordon is a distinguished newspaper editor and communications professional, having worked as the editor of Wales on Sunday, Walesonline.co.uk, and the South Wales Echo. Gordon also worked as a producer for ITV, and as the night editor for the Western Mail.” Chris North Judging best male / best female presenter for Xpress Radio “Chris established DemonFM, DeMontford University’s student radio station during his time there. He went on to work as Wise Buddah’s Head of Talent before starting his own company, North Media Talent. His current portfolio includes presenters such as Huw Stephens and Steve Lamacq.”
A short word from us This year has been a brilliant one for Student Media, and a landmark year for Gair Rhydd in particular. We’ve done it all - broken major stories, run unprecedented investigations, and aim higher and further than ever before. Last year, we were recognised on the national level just once. At this year’s Student Publication Association awards, Gair Rhydd was shortlisted nine times, winning the grand prize in two categories. To say we’ve come a long way is an understatement. Even so, I believe we’re going to go on and achieve even more next year - I only wish I was there to see it happen! - Michael O’Connell-Davidson, Gair Rhydd Editor Despite some challenges, it’s been a brilliant year for Xpress! I’d like to thank everyone who has been a part of the Xpress team. It’s been a privilege working with you all and winning ‘Most Improved Station’ at the SRA National Convention has been the icing on the cake. We’ve had more new members sign up this year than ever before and there was a real buzz around our time on 87.7FM, with all of you putting in a huge effort. I’m sure next year’s team will do a fantastic job, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next for Xpress! Xpress has defined my time at Uni and I’ll definitely shed a few tears over the handover period. - Bethan Lyons, Xpress Radio Station Manager This year, we began the Quench Workshops where contributors can learn key editorial and design skills, dropped an emoji bomb, slapped a naughty picture on the front page, and tried to bring in more student artists on top of our already fantastic pool of student writers. We’ve upped our game in almost every section, especially the baby ones. I’ve also divided the team into two parts; I’ve wondered all year whether this was the right decision, and by now I can say at least for 2014/15 that it was. A massive, heartfelt thanks to everybody who’s ever gotten involved! - Sum Sze Tam, Quench Editor It’s been an amazing year for CUTV. Winning the Best Ident category and being Highly Commended in the Best Broadcaster category at the National Student Television Awards are a particular highlight. Being named the second best student TV station in the UK and Ireland was an incredible feeling and it was all down to the hard work of the CUTV team. This year has been a real rollercoaster, despite the challenges we’ve made some really high quality content. Massive thanks go to the CUTV Exec team, I couldn’t have asked for a nicer group of people to work with. - Will Francis, Cardiff Union TV Station Manager
This year I’ve had the immense privilege of being able to share in and achieve, with you all, goals I’ve held for Xpress and CUTV from very early on in my time in student media. So thank you all! Your hard work and talent is something that never ceases to amaze me. I’d like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the hard work of Will and Beth, whose immeasurable dedication to their sections has led to both Xpress and CUTV coming on leaps and bounds this year – something that has been recognised by success in national awards. - Josh Edwards, Head of Broadcast
Awards The Awardses Xpress Radio Best newcomer Judged by Vicki Blight BBC, Absolute Radio Quench Best critic Judged by David Owens WalesOnline, South Wales Echo, Western Mail CUTV Best editor Judged by Martyn Ingram BBC, Presentable Media, Zodiak Media Gair Rhydd Best use of digital media Judged by Andy Edwards BBC, British Council Xpress Radio Best producer Judged by the Xpress Radio management team Quench Best short form writer Judged by Kirstie McCrum Media Wales
CUTV Best on-screen personality Judged by Emma Cook BBC Gair Rhydd Best events coverage Judged by Simon Farringdon Wales on Sunday Xpress Radio Best speech show Judged by Steve Austins BBC Radio Wales Quench Best long form writer Judged by Ben Bryant The Telegraph, VICE CUTV Best feature Judged by Huw Thomas BBC Cymru Wales Gair Rhydd Journalist of the year Judged by Meirion Jones BBC Newsnight Xpress Radio Best Entertainment show Judged by Neil Sloane BBC, Capital FM Quench Best designer Judged by Jo Rees and Chris Sheppard Salt Media CUTV Best programme Judged by Jo Street BBC
Awards (cont’d) The Awardses Gair Rhydd Writer of the year Judged by Isabel Hardman PoliticsHome, The Telegraph, the Spectator Xpress Radio Best specialist show Judged by Emily Dicks BBC Quench Best Editor Judged by Johannes Laubmeier Freelance journalist CUTV Exceptional contribution by a newcomer Judged by Will Francis and Alex Miarli Gair Rhydd Best section (People’s Choice) As voted for by the students of Cardiff University Xpress Radio Best female presenter Judged by Chris North North Media Talent
Quench Best section (People’s choice) As voted for by the students of Cardiff University Xpress Radio Best male presenter Judged by Chris North North Media Talent Gair Rhydd Best section (Judge’s Choice) Judged by Tim Gordon ITV, Wales on Sunday, South Wales Echo Xpress Radio Special Recognition Judged by Beth Lyons and Josh Edwards Quench Contributor of the year Judged by Sum Sze Tam and Chloe May CUTV Most dedicated member As voted for by the members of CUTV Gair Rhydd Special recognition As voted for by the Gair Rhydd editorial team
A thank you We’d like to thank our sponsor, Cardiff Student Lettings, for sponsoring this year’s student media awards, as well as Cardiff Students’ Union, without which this event would never have been possible. We’d also like to thank our host, Dan Thomas, for taking the time to share this important event with us and for adding a comedic touch to a memorable night. We are very grateful to all of our category judges for their careful deliberation of award entries and the provision of constructive feedback, whilst juggling busy careers in the media environment. Thank you to Joshua Edwards for his work on the voiceovers, and to all those involved in organising this evening. Thanks also to Michael O’Connell-Davidson, Sum Sze Tam and Shanna Hamilton who assisted in writing and designing this booklet, as well as the photographers who contributed various pictures. Finally, thank you to all of the volunteers and contributors who have made student media this year truly remarkable, and to all those who came this evening.