Our Power FM Breakfast host Craig Pitman is off to the 35th Australian Commercial Radio & Audio (ACRA) Awards this October as a finalist in ‘Best Produced Comedy Segment’.
The award category recognises the best comedic material from commercial radio stations across the country with judges determining the best entries based on originality, creativity and innovation.
Born and raised in South Australia, Craig has worked at Murray Bridge’s Power FM SA since August 2016, after his first gig in Lismore (ZZZfm) uprooted him from his Adelaide home.
Each weekday morning Craig and his co-host Katie Wright broadcast to the significant provincial region in the growing Adelaide Hills, Murraylands and South Coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula between 6am and 9am, keeping audiences entertained and informed.
After becoming a finalist in the same category in 2022, Craig is once again in the running for a national prize against 4 other non-metro teams, including ARN’s own Power100, Star 104.5 (Nova), Chilli FM and Wave FM 96.5.
Craig’s entry is a parody advertisement called ‘Thomas Foods Sexy Ad’, which he made following news last year that local major company Thomas Foods International was hit by labour shortages at the new Murray Bridge meat processing facility.
With a keen passion working in audio production and a love of news and comedy, Craig said he saw an opportunity for a great segment.
“Because of my background in commercial production, I saw a great opportunity to create a reaction piece to a real community issue with a lack of employees at Thomas Foods International. While there was plenty of tongue in cheek, I like to think it did sign on a few extra staff!” Craig said.
“It feels wonderful to be recognised by my industry peers as ‘funny every 2 years.’ I’ve always valued the ability to be silly and creative with support of the team at Power FM / 5MU. I’m hoping to be able to bring the shiny microphone back this time!”
Power FM General Manager Dave Shearer said he is proud of Craig’s achievement.
“Craig is one of the hardest working people I’ve had the pleasure of working with and we are all delighted to see his talent being recognised again,” Dave Shearer said.
Content Director Adam Connelly has shared the sentiment, saying his clever team member deserves the nomination.
“I am so happy and proud that Craig’s talents get this recognition. His mind never stops constructing ideas and his thirst for improvement is second to none,” Adam Connelly said.
Check out Craig’s segment on his craigioontheradio Instagram.
