National radio award for Ricoh Arena's Artist Booker

23rd May 2011

National radio award for Ricoh Arena's Artist Booker

THE Ricoh Arena’s artist booker has scooped a national radio award.

Emma Newman, who books the acts performing at the Mercia Live Level, is the producer of Frank Skinner’s show on Absolute Radio in London which secured the Best Entertainment Programme at the 2011 Sony Radio Academy Awards.

She submitted a 30-minute compilation of the best bits of the top comedian’s Saturday morning shows over the last 12 months and a judging panel made up of music industry experts along with those from the worlds of media and art gave Frank the nod ahead of The Chris Moyles Show and Tim Westwood.

The judges said: “This programme has the whole package: entertaining and engaging with laugh-out-loud moments. Frank Skinner is a natural host; warm and inclusive, he is fantastic at getting the best from those who appear with him on his show.”

Emma, who has been the Ricoh’s artist booker since March, was thrilled to have played a part in winning the national accolade.

“I was really chuffed,” she said. “It has been a lot of hard work building up the show but it is great to receive critical acclaim.

“Frank’s show is a mix of music, comedy and entertainment and he has interviewed a wide variety of guests including Boy George, Ed Burns, David Essex and Cerys Matthews.

“Previous winners of this category have included Jonathan Ross, Johnny Vaughn and Chris Evans which emphasises the high standards needed to win.

“The Ricoh is the only venue I’m an artist booker for and so far I have booked Richard Herring for the Mercia Live Level next month.

“I am looking to bring more comedians and musicians to the venue particularly to the Mercia Live Level and the Jaguar Indoor Arena.”