Audio UK has launched a Pay What You Can scheme for its thirteenth-annual Audio Production Awards, the trade association announced, in partnership with Amazon Music and Wondery.
The Pay What You Can Scheme, which was first introduced in 2021, offers discounted entry fees and award show tickets to those who find that the cost of the entry or ticket is a financial constraint. To take advantage of the scheme, applicants should email katie@audioproductionawards.co.uk.
“I’m delighted that we will be teaming up with Amazon Music and Wondery on the Audio Production Awards Pay What You Can scheme once again,” said AudioUK managing director Chloe Straw. “Their commitment has enabled us to expand the scheme and to do more outreach to ensure we are reaching more and more people each year.”
“We introduced it to make sure that how much money a person has, or the challenges they face, are not barriers to entering or attending the awards. The support is key for the growth and success of the scheme.”
The Audio Production Awards celebrate talent in the industry both on and off-air across a range of audio content including podcasts, audiobooks, radio, and more. This year, the awards are sponsored by Amazon-owned company Audible, and the ceremony will be held on 22 November at the BFI in Southbank, London.
“Continuing to provide independent creators with access to the Audio Production Awards through the Pay What You Can Scheme is incredibly important to Amazon Music and Wondery,” said Wondery head of international podcast content Jess Radburn. “We are committed to supporting an inclusive, diverse and sustainable audio landscape, and helping to reduce the financial barrier to entry some creators find is an important part of this.”
PodPod will be supporting the 2023 Audio Production Awards as a media partner, alongside other companies including Creative Mentor Network, Pineapple Audio Production, Podspike, Radio Academy, Reel2Media and the Student Radio Association.
There are 22 categories in total that audio creators can apply for, including genre-specific ones like Best Comedy and Best Drama as well as ones recognising the talent of those working behind the scenes like Best Branded Content Producer and Best Factual Producer.
Entries are still open until the final deadline on 20 September, with the early bird entry fee ending 11 September. The shortlist will go out on 23 October, at which point tickets for the ceremony will also go on sale.
