ASTRA might have merged its major ASTRA Awards event into the AACTAs, but it still has its Industry Awards event, organised and hosted by ASTRA CEO Andrew Maiden and his small team.
Last week the Australian subscription television industry announced winners of the 2016 ASTRA Industry Awards celebrating outstanding achievements by individuals and channels in Sydney.
Hosted by Australia’s Next Top Model’s Alex Perry, more than 200 guests applauded finalists and winners of the annual awards, which recognise excellence in marketing, advertising and promotion across Australia’s subscription television industry.
ASTRA Awards host Alex Perry flanked by stars of A Place To Call Home Jenni Baird and Abby Earl
The guest presenters were E! reporter Ksenija Lukich, A Place To Call Home actors Abby Earl and Jenni Baird and Foxtel CEO Peter Tonagh.
Ben Jones interview
“I had no media background…I got very lucky. I emailed one of the sports shows asking the host for a job. I actually got a response and that led to a job on the show.” – Jones
The Fox Sports executive producer of its NRL coverage spoke to Mediaweek immediately after accepting his award last week.
Jones moved from Brisbane to Sydney 12 years ago looking for a job in the media, landing his first role at Nine, despite having no TV experience.
“I had no media background…I got very lucky. I emailed one of the sports shows asking the host for a job. I actually got a response and that led to a job on the show.” Jones had sent the email to then Nine sports reporter and host Andrew Voss who was hosting Boots n All for Nine. Jones answered a trivia question in the email, then asked for a job. It took a while, but eight months later Voss, now working with Jones at Fox Sports, offered him an interview.
Ben Jones with Foxtel CEO Peter Tonagh
After six years at Nine, Jones made the move to Fox Sports in 2010. “I worked initially on the rugby union coverage for two years and then in 2012 I was appointed executive producer of the NRL coverage.”
Looking after the NRL means he looks after 12 people made up of senior producers and associate producers.
“Priority #1 at the moment is the NRL finals, but then off the back of that we will be planning the 2017 NRL channel.”
It has been a big year for Fox Sports and its NRL broadcasts as it has rights to all matches in addition to its five live and exclusive games. “We have calling rights on all games too giving us Fox commentary on all eight weekly games, which has been very exciting this year.”
NEP Australia looks after the production of each NRL game. “They are great to work with and it has been a challenging year at times for both us and them,” said the Fox Sports ASTRA Award winner.
Jones and his team will be working on live NRL finals for the first time next month, but not the Grand Final. A quirk of scheduling lets Jones and Fox Sports boast they have “all the finals live in September”. The Grand Final will be played on Sunday October 2 in 2016.
![Sky News on the red carpet [L-R] Jaynie Seal, Abby Greenbank and Ingrid Willinge](https://www.mediaweek.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ASTRA-Sky-News-girls-e1470708469550.jpg)
Sky News on the red carpet [L-R] Jaynie Seal, Abby Greenbank and Ingrid Willinge
“Also Steve Crawley who I worked with at Nine and is also now at Fox Sports. [Fox Sports head of live sport and news]
“Also Patrick Delany. The Fox Sports CEO has been very supportive and I have learnt a lot from him. It has been great having all those people in my corner.”
Jones has been able to give other media newcomers a helping hand in much the same way he was. “There have been a few people we have moved up the ranks pretty quickly. A lot of the time people need a chance and if you give them that they usually put in the hard work and pay you back.”
As Fox Sports’ Andrew Voss mentioned last week, there is a lot of focus now on getting ready for a dedicated NRL channel next year. “Priority #1 at the moment is the NRL finals, but then off the back of that we will be planning the 2017 NRL channel. It will be great for the fans.”
Fox Footys Michael Neil with Ksenija Lukich
ASTRA Awards 2016 winners
Television Professional of the Year (in a role other than creative, marketing or communications)
Ben Jones (Fox Sports, NRL)
Creative Professional of the Year (in a marketing or communications function)
Lisa Frederickson (Foxtel, Premium Entertainment Channels)
Rising Star (outstanding individual aged under 30)
Ellen Dedes-Vallas (Nickelodeon Australia)
Most Outstanding Public Relations Campaign
Launch of Comedy Central Australia (Comedy Central)
Most Outstanding Campaign under $50,000
The Walking Dead Season 6 Launch (FX)
Most Outstanding Off-Air Promotion
Fox Sporting Nation (Fox Sports)
Most Outstanding Social Media Campaign
Dad Joke Survivors PCA (Nickelodeon Australia)
Most Outstanding Advertising Campaign
#MTVtrippers (MTV)
Most Outstanding Innovation (use of technology)
Fox Sports Lab (Fox Footy)
Most Outstanding On-Air Promotion
Every Game Matters (Fox Footy)