How the categories work!
The AIB Awards are focussed into the categories below. It would be so easy to make hundreds of categories and turn the whole event into a cash machine. But others have done this before! We don't think this is in the interests of the entrants, nor the industry in general.
Our goals are clear. AIB is a not-for-profit networking organisation, so our aim is to find the best talent in a clearly defined series of categories. We concentrate on organisations active in cross-border and cross-cultural programming because this is a sector of the industry that we believe needs a higher profile right across our industry. It is too often overlooked by colleagues who work in "domestic" broadcasting.
In response to feedback from last year's successful event, we have added tips as to what the judges are looking for each category. Please take a few minutes to read their suggestions and ensure you are entering the right category.
2008 AIB Awards categories
- Best current affairs documentary
- Clearest coverage of a single news event
- Best creative feature programme
- Best cross-media production
- Most creative use of graphics
- Most creative marketing strategy
- Most innovative use of technology
- International personality of the year
- Most creative specialist genre
Best current affairs documentary TV and radio
About this category:
We're looking for documentaries (or an extended themed programme sequence) that has covered a topical subject in an interesting and perhaps unusual way, providing the audience with an insight it couldn't find elsewhere.It might be a documentary explaining complex scientific research in a way that non-specialists can understand, or it might involve original investigative journalism. Whatever the subject, if it's caught your audience's imagination, then it should catch the attention of our international judging panel.
What the judges are looking for.
Superior production values, clear presentation, first-rate editing. And of course, story-telling that's fair, clear and concise - without assuming the audience has much prior knowledge of the subject.Clearest coverage of a single news event TV and radio
About this category:
We have two awards, one covering audio and the other video, and we're looking for the best examples of how major news stories have been covered on air.News coverage of major events is difficult to get absolutely right - but there are TV and radio broadcasters around the world who cover stories incredibly well, giving their audiences the most accurate, credible reports on events that can shape people's lives.
What the judges are looking for.
The judges will be looking for the most appropriate way that a major news event has been covered for international audiences. Has the context been provided so that the audience - which may be completely unfamiliar with the situation and the events leading up to the event - can fully understand what's happened, and why? Have the reporters dealt compassionately with people affected by the event, and reported the event sensitively? We're looking for best practice in this important award category.Best creative feature TV and radio
About this category:
We're looking for a programme, or one episode from a programme series, that makes the most creative and exceptional use of the television or radio medium.For television, it could be a breathtaking documentary filmed in HD. But it might also be an unusual quiz game format that breaks a mould or makes clever use of sound as well as great pictures.
For radio, your entry could perhaps be a travelogue that uses clever sound design and effects to enhance a compelling story, or a piece of drama used in a highly effectively way to illustrate an important issue. It's definitely going to be a programme that people will remember.
Most creative marketing strategy
About this category:
Inspiring audiences to tune in or to access programmes, or to remain loyal to a media brand is a continuing challenge for the industry.
This Award will reward the broadcaster that has developed the most creative marketing strategy for reaching audiences, or has found the most creative marketing concept that has successfully raise the broadcaster's profile in one or more markets.
What the judges are looking for.
The judges will be looking for an imaginative campaign that has the ability to be replicated in other markets.The judges will also look for the effective use of multiple platforms (billboards, on-air, online, etc) and will want to see measurable results.
Most creative use of graphics "sponsored by Vizrt"
About this category:
This new Award, sponsored by Vizrt, will recognise the most creative use of dynamic graphics in TV "storytelling", particularly in news, weather and sports broadcasting.
The AIB is challenging organisations to show us the very best examples of how dynamic graphics have been used in a live broadcast, bringing a story to life, adding to viewer understanding, or helping to explain complex issues.
Since stock prices, sports scores, athlete's performance and weather information are constantly changing, the viewer now expects to see the latest information "in real time" on screen - and on the web.
The graphics award is open to all organisations producing live news and sports and who make active use of graphics.
What the judges are looking for.
Our judges are looking for examples of creative use of dynamic graphics that added clarity to the story being told. Whether it's illustrating breaking news or weather reports, major incidents, elections, live sports coverage, the key thing in this Award category is the way that graphics have been integrated into the overall storytelling. It is a test of how well journalists and designers can work together.
Best cross-media production
About this category:Broadcasters the world over have recognised that it's essential to reach viewers and listeners on more than just a single platform. Their audiences are routinely accessing content on a range of devices, from mobile phones to MP3 players, PCs to set-top-boxes.
However, it's not enough simply to make the same content available on different platforms. It's essential to craft productions that make use of each of the platforms' unique attributes. There are some great examples already out there, and we'll be showcasing the very best cross-media productions of the last year.
What the judges are looking for.
The judges will be looking for the production that has harnessed the power of traditional broadcasting and new media to deliver the content - and tell the story - in the most effective and appropriate way, ensuring that no part of the audience is short-changed. We're looking for best practice in this important award category.Most innovative use of technology "sponsored by Bloomberg TV"
About this category:
Technology has always played a major part in the production and distribution of content. Over the past few years, the production tools available to broadcasters have developed faster than ever, enabling producers and journalists to work faster and more creatively.At the same time, broadcasters have had to cater for a vastly increased number of platforms, adapting their content to the specific needs of each delivery method, from widescreen HD to relatively tiny hand-held devices. This AIB Award will recognise the technology company that has developed the most appropriate and useful technological solution for the international broadcasting industry, whether it's in production, scheduling, distribution or content repurposing.
What the judges are looking for.
The judges will look at the way each entry has solved a specific need for the increasingly more complex TV, radio and online media industries, enabling a content producer to be more effective in the competitive environment. The judges will look for costeffectiveness, the ability to transfer the technology to less affluent areas of the world, and at the ease of use for the broadcaster or online producer.
International personality of the year TV and radio
About this category:
The AIB is passionate about broadcasting and we know that almost everyone who appears on TV and radio around the world shares that passion.
This AIB Award will reward the very best personality who appears on the air - on TV and on radio - and makes an impact on the audience. Who's the most engaging personality who can inform the audience about the subjects under discussion with poise, calmness and enthusiasm.
We'll be awarding one Award for the radio personality of the year, and one Award for TV personality of the year. What the judges are looking for The judges will look at the presentational skills of each entrant and the way in which he or she has conveyed the story to the audience.
What the judges are looking for.
The judges are looking for the personality who has provided the context around the subject with clarity and purpose. They will also look for the most engaging on air manner.Most creative specialist genre
About this category:
International broadcasting is made up of a wide range of channels and stations that cater both to broad audiences and to niche audiences. It's the companies producing highly specialised programming genres that often are overlooked when it comes to celebrating success.
This new AIB Award category provides the opportunity for broadcasters working in specialist genres to submit their work for recognition by the international media industry. Whether it's the fashion genre or finance, wildlife or environment, food or luxury goods, there's some great work being done by producers the world over. It's time for their work to be showcased.About this category:
The AIB Awards judges are looking for work that exemplifies the specialist genre, providing the specialist audience with something that caters exactly to their needs. The programming needs to be of the highest standard, competing with mainstream productions in presentation, editing, use of graphics and story-telling. This Award is open to specialist channels on television, radio and online.12 November 2008
LSO St Luke's, London
1800-2330
The AIB Media Excellence Awards have become established as one of the most significant events in the international broadcasting calendar.
The Awards attract entries from broadcasters throughout the world and are trusted as providing true peer evaluation of programming, marketing strategies and technology.
The reach of the AIB Awards is global, with a marketing programme that places the Awards brochure in front of media executives, editors, producers, journalists, marketing professionals and technologists in every major broadcaster and media technology provider worldwide.
Almost 200 opinion-
formers, including parliamentarians, regulators, CEOs, journalists and editors will join the
AIB Awards and diner pensant at LSO St Luke's in London's trendy Shoreditch on 12 November 2008 to celebrate
success and reward excellence in international TV, radio and online production.