Melbourne-based podcasting duo Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon Dunn scooped the coveted People’s Voice Award at the 29th Annual Webby Awards in New York City, an honour that places them among global digital media elite.
Their independently-created podcast, Toni & Ryan, triumphed in the highly competitive category, winning over global audiences and, crucially, the fans who cast the votes.
The Webby Awards, often described as “the internet’s highest honour,” are hosted annually at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan and celebrate excellence across digital media.
Accepting the award in person, the pair delivered a cheeky five-word speech on stage: “Just start a f****** blog.”
It was more than a punchline, a nod to the show’s scrappy, DIY beginnings and a sharp contrast to the gloss of Madison Avenue.
Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon Dunn with their Webby Award
Cracking the creative code
Toni and Ryan’s journey from radio redundancy to podcast success is steeped in experimentation, grit and a whole lot of humour.
Initially bonded during a summer fill-in slot at KIIS Melbourne during COVID, the pair clicked while working behind the scenes, Toni in audio production, Ryan behind the mic. They whipped up a demo for Toni to pitch around, threw it up on TikTok, and were caught off-guard by the traction.
“There were all these people being like, where’s the podcast?” Toni told Mediaweek from their New York hotel room. “And we actually talked about it. We’re like, podcasts are so much work, there are millions of them. Like, there’s no way that ours will make a difference. Like, why bother?”
But the demand was undeniable. One TikTok video turned into many, and soon their niche comedy and storytelling format had grown into a daily habit for fans affectionately dubbed “TARPers.”
“A year after we started, we left our jobs,” Ryan explained. “We’d record four episodes on Saturday, edit them on Sunday. Toni did all the audio. I did the videos.”
The show’s fast rise, and now international award, highlights how digital-first creators can build meaningful audiences and monetisable IP outside traditional media pathways.
It’s a proof point for brands betting on authenticity over polish, and one that may open the door for greater advertiser interest in independently-produced Australian content.
A seat at the global table
The pair soaked up the atmosphere at the glitzy New York ceremony, brushing shoulders with household names.
“It was super overwhelming and very American,” Toni said, laughing. “Like everybody there is, like, my publicist, my manager, my agent… so that was kind of like a culture shock, but the actual awards were run super well. It was an enjoyable evening.”
“It was actually pretty welcoming,” Ryan added. “We’re not a part of the New York creative scene, but many of them knew each other and were pretty supportive. There was a good spirit about it.”
In true Webby fashion, the room was filled with digital celebrities, influencers, and iconic names. “I fist bumped Snoop Dogg,” Ryan deadpanned. “There were almost too many big names that no one stood out, everywhere you looked, you went, oh, that’s the guy from that, or she’s the one who makes that show.”
What this win means for advertisers
Toni & Ryan‘s Webby win underlines the commercial viability of indie voices in an increasingly cluttered media ecosystem.
Their path shows how creators without legacy media infrastructure can still deliver engaged, global communities, valuable audiences that advertisers can reach with smart, native placements.
As podcast ad spend continues to rise, globally forecast to hit $5 billion in 2025, the appetite for established, personality-led audio platforms is growing.
Toni and Ryan’s brand is built on transparency, humour and organic growth, factors increasingly prized by advertisers wary of over-polished influencer marketing.
Moreover, their show’s proven cross-platform engagement (spanning Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram) makes it ripe for multi-channel brand integrations.
“WINNERS are GRINNERS!” Ryan posted post-ceremony. “Thanks for listening, watching, sharing your stories and putting up with ours… TARPers are the greatest people in the world and we couldn’t do it without you!”
Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon Dunn after their Webby Award win
Looking ahead
While the duo still downplay their success, even feeling underdogs against nominees like The Bald and the Beautiful and previous winners like Conan O’Brien, the industry recognition is clear.
“Immediately I thought, we’ve got no hope,” Toni said. “Their videos are f****** so good. They’re also so famous. We were like, hey, it’s a f****** honor, and we’ll just…”
And yet, here they are. Winners. TARPers behind them. And the world watching.
For Australia’s media and advertising industries, the message rings loud: the next breakout hit might just be brewing in a bedroom somewhere Down Under.