MBA recognizes some of the best in MA broadcasting

The Massachusetts Broadcasting Awards presented at ‘Sound Bites’ 2014 saw the most diverse group of stations winners to date.  Overall, forty-one first place and merit awards were handed out in from 146 entries over twelve categories.  A full list of winners can be found here.

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Cat Country staffers accept the Station of the Year Award from MBA Executive Director Jordan Walton (second from right)

Taking home Station of the Year merit honors in radio was 94.7 WMAS-FM in Springfield while Cat Country 98.1 WCTK-FM, licensed to New Bedford, MA won top honors.  In television, WCVB-TV proved tops for the second straight year and 22 News, WWLP-TV of Springfield was the merit winner for Station of the Year.

Highlighting broadcasters that went the extra mile in 2014, literally in one case, the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association awards an ‘Above and Beyond’ award in both radio and television.  In radio, Monte Belmonte of 93.9 The River WRSI-FM took home the honors.  Belmonte was nominated for his work with various charities and events on The River, including “Monte’s March” where the morning host marches from Northampton to Greenfield to raise awareness and funds for the fight against hunger.  Since 2010 the event has raised over $100,000!

In television, WWLP-TV’s Laura Hutchinson was the ‘Above and Beyond’ recipient.  This year, Hutchinson not only reported extensively on the first Boston Marathon since the 2013 bombing but also ran in the race.  Giving viewers a unique perspective on one of the most reported stories of the year.

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2014 MBA Broadcaster of the Year Ed Perry

The last award every year is the Broadcaster of the Year.  This year’s recipient was WATD-FM owner and “ringmaster” Edward Perry.  A press release can be found here.

We look forward to even more competition for some MBA hardware at Sound Bites 2015 on November 12, 2015!  A full list of winners can be found below and pictures from the event are on our Facebook page.

Best Individual Commercial/ Commercial Campaign
Radio
MERIT
WBEC-AM, WBEC-FM, WUPE-AM, WUPE-FM, WSBS-FM & WNAW-AM
Advance Hearing Aids
FIRST
WCOD-FM
Beyond Beauty
Air Personality
Radio
MERIT
WAAF-FM
Greg Hill
FIRST
WHMP-FM, WRSI-FM & WHMP-AM
Bob Flaherty
Air Personality
Television
MERIT
WWLP-TV
Laura Hutchinson
FIRST
WCVB-TV
Ed Harding
Station Promotional Announcement
Radio
FIRST
WAAF-FM
WAAF Artist Experiences
Station Promotional Announcement
Television
MERIT
WWLP-TV
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
 

FIRST

WGGB-TV
40 Force Campaign
Sports Feature
Radio
MERIT
WATD-FM
Unlikely Bonds Through Baseball
FIRST
WAMQ-FM
Delaware County Company Basking In Super Bowl Spotlight
Sports Feature
Television
MERIT
WSHM-TV
Welcome to Fenway Westfield
FIRST
WCVB-TV
High 5 Thanksgiving Heroes
Sports Play-by-Play
Radio
MERIT
WEEI-AM
Game 2 of the ALCS: The infamous “David Ortiz, David Ortiz, David Ortiz” game
FIRST
WPKZ-AM
2014 Leominster High Football Play-by-Play
Best Spot News Story
Radio
MERIT
WATD-FM
Search for a Murder Suspect
FIRST
WATD-FM
Marshfield Plane Crash
Best Spot News Story
Television
MERIT
WWLP-TV
Agawam Microburst
FIRST
WSHM-TV
Standoff at Baystate Medical Center
Best Feature Story
Radio
MERIT
WTAG-AM
Patty Fleming Interview – Boston Marathon First Responder
FIRST
WMJX-FM
Exceptional Women: Grace Under Fire
Best Feature Story
Television
MERIT
WCVB-TV
Tyler’s Transplant
FIRST
WSHM-TV
Meeting Mr. Forbes
Best Use of Digital Media
Radio
MERIT
WMRC-AM
2014 WMRC Local Music Awards
FIRST
WCTK-FM
This is Cat Country
Best Use of Digital Media
Television
MERIT
WCVB-TV
Red Sox Banner Poster
FIRST
WWLP-TV
WWLP.com
Local Special Program/Event
Radio
MERIT
WHMP-AM & WRSI-FM
Monte’s March 2013
FIRST
WBEC-AM, WBEC-FM, WUPE-AM, WUPE-FM, WSBS-FM & WNAW-AM
Cause for Paws
Local Special Program/Event
Television
MERIT
WWLP-TV
A Ride To Remember
FIRST
WCVB-TV
Boston Strong Reunited
Public Service Announcement
Radio
MERIT
WMAS-FM
Kids Safety Expo 2014
FIRST
WAAF-FM
Sound Stupid?
Public Service Announcement
Television
MERIT
WCVB-TV
PMC Terry
FIRST
WWLP-TV
WWLP 22News Summer of Caring
“Above and Beyond” Award
Radio
FIRST
Monte Belmonte
WHMP-AM & WRSI-FM
“Above and Beyond” Award
Television
FIRST
Laura Hutchinson
WWLP-TV
Station of the Year
Radio
MERIT
WMAS-FM
FIRST
WCTK-FM
Station of the Year
Television
MERIT
WWLP-TV
FIRST
WCVB-TV