The Ontario Association of Broadcasters (OAB) handed out their annual awards Wednesday afternoon in Mississauga.
This year’s event was highlighted by the posthumous induction of Evanov Communications founder Bill Evanov into the OAB Hall of Fame. The broadcast pioneer passed away in March 2020 at age 77. The award was accepted by his children, son Paul, who is now President & CEO of the company, and daughter Kristina, Special Projects Director.
“Our father loved radio so much. He was a hard worker, he was so passionate about what he did, he acted quickly, he decided wisely and he pursued success so courageously and fearlessly and he left an example and legacy for all of us,” Kristina told the audience. “It’s a bit surreal today accepting an award on his behalf, although I do believe he’s looking down on us and I believe he’d be very happy and proud and grateful to receive this award.”
“He would credit those who helped him along the way and he would acknowledge the like-minded team he recruited, many of which are here today with us, who helped build Evanov Communications from the ground up,” added Paul. “Bill’s imprint, influence and philosophy about work and responsibility over the industry is large ad inspirational.”
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- Paul & Kristina Evanov accept the OAB Hall of Fame Award in memory of their father, Bill. (Broadcast Dialogue/Connie Thiessen)
Other award winners included Toronto’s JAZZ.FM (CJRT-FM), which picked up the award for Station Promotion (Large Market) for its Lifting Up of Others campaign, and a Community Service Award for its annual Holiday Heroes Instrument Drive.
97.7 Moose FM (CHMS-FM) Bancroft, ON won the Community Service Award in the Small Market category for the We’re All Heart Radiothon, while Peterborough’s Fresh Radio 100.5 (CKRU-FM) and 101.5 The Wolf (CKWF-FM) won the Small Market Station Promotion Award for its Staycay Triple Play.
Aili Beare of Zoomer Radio (CFZM-FM) was recognized with the Best in Class Sales Award for the Lemonwood Styles Sessions campaign.
Creative Awards went to Z103.5 (CIDC-FM) Toronto’s Cinco de Mayo campaign (Large Market), which included producer Brian Viggiani, copywriter John Shannon, and voiceover talent Sheila Koenig, Stu Ringler, Steve Stone, and Rachel McGrath.
The Small Market winner was Vista Radio for its Constable Towing and Auto Recycling “Locked Out of the Final Frontier” created by Neil Peterson, Liam Myers, Dawson Houle, Mark Nicholls and Darren Scott.
Kimberlee A. Taplay of Evanov Communications and Jeff Teolis of Blackburn Media were also recognized with 25+ year certificates.
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