UTV picks up Irish Media Awards

UTV’s Group Chief Executive John McCann is the first recipient of The Media Pioneer Award at the Irish Media Awards 2012 which were announced in Dublin last week.

According to the judges: “The Media Pioneer title is awarded by an independent panel of industry leaders to recognise a truly outstanding contribution to the media industry on the island of Ireland. The Media Pioneer is someone who has made a revolutionary difference to the industry and through his inspiration, innovation and leadership has permanently altered the media landscape for good. It is not about years of service but quality of contribution.”

UTV also picked up the ‘Best Use of Media in Northern Ireland Award for Medium / Large campaigns of £25k plus’ for its innovative Templeton Robinson property commercial break.

UTV and PropertyPal.com introduced an innovative advertising opportunity for estate agents in 2011. A dedicated ‘60 second’ property commercial break was set up during UTV Live featuring homes for sale which were also highlighted on PropertyPal.com. On average, the individual properties featured benefited from a 600% increase in views. This innovative media campaign was a first in the UK breathing new life into the challenging property market.

Trevor Jordan, Cross Platform Sales Director, UTV said: “This innovative media campaign is a first for the UK and Ireland. It is also a perfect example of the cross platform work that makes UTV Media so successful by pushing the boundaries of traditional advertising. This new advertising opportunity puts the power of TV directly into the hands of homeowners, helping them to market their homes to as wide an audience as possible in Northern Ireland.”

UTV is the ITV broadcaster for Northern Ireland and has held the licence for the local service since 1959 when the company launched as Ulster Television. UTV offers a wide range or regional programmes which differ from the de-localised ITV1 service which airs in England and Wales. A number of UTV programmes, screened just to Northern Ireland audiences, have proved hugely popular with a number of them out-rating EastEnders in the region.

John McCann said: “I am absolutely delighted to be the recipient of the very first Media Pioneer Award, it is truly a great honour. I would like to thank The BrainFood Store and IMJ for setting up the Media Awards, the judges for selecting me and the team at UTV for all their hard work.”