Pittsburgh AFTRANs Sweep

8th Annual A.I.R. Awards

Each year the March of Dimes’ Achievement in Radio awards acknowledges and honors the work of Pittsburgh broadcasters, stations, and ad agencies. AFTRA members and signatory agencies traditionally dominate the awards. This year was no exception.

Kathy Svilar returned as MC. AFTRAn’s Larry Richert, Jim Cunningham, Adam “Bomb” Hapeman, and Jeff Hathorn assisted with award presentations. Once again, AFTRA's Mark Roberts wrote the script for the awards show. In a surprise “appearance,” California Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger (played by Larry Richert) spoofed the radio industry in Pittsburgh and across the country.

        This year twenty-four of the twenty-nine honors awarded went to AFTRA Members, programs appearing on AFTRA affiliated stations, and commercial spots produced by AFTRA signatories. Lila Prezioso presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to a Pittsburgh radio giant, Bob Roof, former General Manager of WDVE. 

AFTRA member and station programming winners were:

Best Afternoon Show on a Music Station:  “Kobe” - 93.7 - WBZZ

Best Station sponsored Community Event:  Skyblast - Star 100.7

Best Mid-Day Show on a News Talk, Personality or Sports Station: The Mike Pintek Show - KDKA

Best News Coverage: “Protests Hit Pittsburgh”  - KDKA

Best Public Service Campaign: “9/11 1^st Anniversary/ Stars in our Backyard” – Star 100.7

Best Weekend Show: The Abridged Monty         -  Y108

Best Newscaster: Bob Kopler - KDKA

Best Commercial Spot by a Radio Station: “West Hills Nissan, the Best Of “ - WDVE

Best New Talent in the Market: “Kobe” on 93.7 WBZZ

Best Public Service Announcement: Amber Alert - Star 100.7

Best Sports Coverage Play-By-Play:  Pittsburgh Riverhounds - FOX Sports 970

Best On-Air Audience Promotion: Hot Moms Contest - WDVE

Best Afternoon Show on a News Talk, Personality or Sports Station: The Fred Honsberger  Show - KDKA

Best Individual Performance in a Radio Spot: “7-Eleven Sparky”  (featuring Bill Cameron)

Best Production/Creative Services Director: Brian Price – WDVE

Best Mid-Day Show on a Music Station: Melanie Taylor - 93.7 WBZZ

Best Evening Show on News Talk, Personality or Sports Station: “Sports Talk with Paul Alexander” - KDKA

Best Sports Reporter: Paul Alexander KDKA Afternoon News  - KDKA

Best Talk Show Host:: Fred Honsberger - KDKA

Best Evening Show on a Music Station:                 “I’ll Tuck You In” Tracey  Morgan - Y108

Best Sports Coverage Reporting: Steelers Replay - ESPN Radio 1250

Best Station Image Promo:  “Bogey Loves the Bucs”  - KDKA

Best Morning Show: Merkel and Dickson   - WWSW

Best Commercial Spot by an Agency: “Four Stages of Romance” (featuring Helena Ruoti) - Mullen Agency

        Pittsburgh AFTRA is proud to support the March of Dimes in the war against birth defects. AFTRAn Marc (Bubba - WBZZ) Snider’s twin daughters, born prematurely but now thriving, are living testimony to that work. The kids are what truly matter!