UK

Specsavers has won the Grand Prix for Audio & Radio at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
They won it for their campaign “The Misheard Version”, marking the first ever UK Grand Prix for radio.  
The campaign, masterminded by Golin London, also took home one gold and two silvers after being shortlisted for 13 Cannes Lions across audio, health & wellness, PR and social influencer. 
Running across commercial radio, the campaign’s 60 second radio spot featured a re-recording of Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ with lyrics altered to reflect common mishearings. It seemingly played as if part of the normal music airplay but it was the Specsavers Misheard version re-recorded by Rick which included misheard lyrics such as ‘Never gonna run around with dessert spoons’ and ‘you wouldn’t catch nits from any other guy’.
Commenting on the news, Client Director at Radiocentre, Lucy Barrett said: “With humour at its heart, Specsavers always set a high bar in its radio advertising. But since it started promoting its hearing teats, the brand has really embraced all radio has to offer making the most of sound. This ad, which uses a classic radio 80s hit, deserves its recognition at the Cannes Lions. Congratulations to Alex Wood and the team at Golin London and Specsavers, we are very proud to have a UK Grand Prix for radio.”
The UK put in a strong performance overall and also picked up three silver awards for Baileys’ “Sound scales”, by VML in London and New York; Pot Noodle’s “Sorry for slurping” by Adam & Eve/DDB; and another trophy for Specsavers’ “The misheard version”.
More details of all the winners can be found here.
Hear from Specsavers’ Claire Bryant talking with System1’s Orlando Wood at Radiocentre’s Tuning In event about how the brand uses radio and audio on Radiocentre’s YouTube channel. […]

An Election 2024 pop up stream on BBC Sounds has appeared bringing together all of the BBC’s journalism in one place for the first time.

The temporary stream offers uninterrupted coverage of live news and current affairs ahead of the UK’s general election, covering all the breaking stories as they unfold.
Election 2024 brings together BBC journalism across TV and Radio in one place for the first time, featuring programmes such as Newscast, Today, Question Time, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg and more.
Jonathan Wall, Director, BBC Sounds said: “We have created an easy to find, easy to access one stop shop for rolling election coverage from the BBC and the top on demand shows including Newscast and The Today Programme.
“It’s powered by the best of BBC News, Radio 4 and 5 live, and all just at the press of a button or an ask of your Smart speaker.”
Naja Nielsen, Digital Director, BBC News said: “BBC News’ top priority in the general election is to be an essential, impartial service for voters, allowing them to follow developments and access the information they need to make up their minds.
“I am delighted we are able to launch this innovative Election 2024 pop-up stream for audiences, now on BBC Sounds as well as BBC iPlayer.”
The Election 2024 collection runs from June 17th to July 8th and listeners can find the stream in the live dial at the top of the Sounds homepage (between 5 Sports Extra and 6Music). […]

Tim Smith is joining Jazz FM to present the station’s Summer Book Club.

The feature returns on June 22nd, and Tim comes from BBC Radio 2 where he was co-host of the Book Club on Steve Wright in the Afternoon, although he has more recently been presenting shows at Jazz.
Across the Summer, every Saturday from 9am, there’ll be interviews with a fiction and non-fiction author, plus, each week a different writer will share their essential jazz favourite to round off the show.
Of fronting the 10-week series Tim Smith said “I’m delighted to be hosting the Jazz FM Summer Book Club. I’m an avid reader, especially of contemporary literature, so I’m excited to be focusing on that and hearing from a wide variety of authors.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to provide some great suggestions for both the listeners and my own summer reading lists! It’s a sad moment to be taking over from Jamie under such sad circumstances, but hopefully I can do him proud.”
Jazz FM and Scala Radio Content Director Nick Pitts added: “It’s great to be able to bring back Jazz FM’s Summer Book Club, and with someone like Tim in charge.
“Through his time on the Radio 2 Book Club with the legendary Steve Wright he spoke to many of the authors of today gaining an insight into what appeals to those who love a good book.
“We know that as the Jazz FM listening audience go off on their summer holidays, not only do they take Jazz FM with them, but they also take a couple of good books and I’m hoping that we will be able to influence their reading list.” […]

The recently announced rebrand for Radio Tircoed to Swansea Live Radio has attracted the attention of rival broadcasters.

And following a complaint about the proposed name, the station will now launch as SA Radio Live instead.
The start date will continue as planned, on September 30th, when the community station will change and introduce a new schedule, new imaging and a new focus.
Writing on social media, Shaun Tilley, who will run the station and host the breakfast show, said: “The city’s only ‘truly’ local station will now be called ‘SA Radio Live’.
“Our shows will be hosted by 15 former Swansea Sound / Wave DJs alongside a number of talented newcomers. There will be specialist music programmes too, a weekly 3 hour showcase for the finest talent in our area, shows in Welsh, we will support local charities and be a mouthpiece for all the wonderful events coming to the city.
“Broadcasting LIVE (not pre-recorded) from studios here in Swansea (not elsewhere pretending to be Swansea) and not the same shows heard on stations in other towns at the very same time.
“We will be YOUR station, living and breathing Swansea so please continue to give us your overwhelming support and spread the word. We can’t wait to be with you from 7am on Monday 30th September as we launch SA Radio Live!!” […]

Colourful Radio is switching to DAB+ on Switch Digital’s London 2 multiplex.

Colourful founder and exec producer, Kofi Kusitor MBE says: “We’ve had great relationships with multiplex owners and transmission companies for over 20 years.
“And so, it is doubly exciting to agree on a deal that not only provides our legacy radio station a new home with London 2 but also offers the Colourful brand the opportunity to grow our unique and unmatched offering beyond a single service.”
For the last four years, London 3 was home to Colourful in traditional DAB.
Mr Kusitor adds: “I am thankful to Global and London 3 for their kindness and exceptional service and support over the years.” […]

Thornbury Radio has celebrated its third birthday by giving away free cash.
The community radio station ran a competition for one listener to win £105.10, to match its frequency.
The FM service is designed to cover Thornbury and surrounding villages – including Alveston, Olveston, Tytherington, Oldbury-on-Severn, Leyhill, Wickwar, Bagstone and Iron Acton.
In addition, Thornbury Radio will start broadcasting on DAB from September 2024.
Chris Criddle, weekday breakfast show host and Director said; “The station is going from strength to strength with such great positive feedback, more volunteers wanting to get involved and the station being recognised by more people than ever.
“We are attending more events this year and we are told that we are doing a great job by our community.
“With our plans for launching on DAB in September 2024 we hope to make it even easier to listen to Thornbury Radio.” […]