WRAL-TV and FOX 50 shone in Nashville, Tennessee when the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Nashville/MidSouth Chapter awarded WRAL-TV in 7 categories, including the top honor of News Excellence. WRAL News has received the News Excellence award two of the past three years. FOX 50 picked up some hardware as well, with two Emmys for their award-winning promotions department.
“Winning an Emmy for News Excellence is a great honor, and we’re tremendously proud of the staff whose talent and dedication are behind the work worthy of such an award,” said Rick Gall, WRAL News Director. “Every day, I’m impressed by their unyielding commitment to providing meaningful news coverage that truly serves the community.”
In addition to News Excellence, WRAL-TV received awards for Newscast/Weekend, Light Feature News Series, Investigative Series, Documentary/Cultural, Magazine Program and Promo Spot/News. FOX 50 received awards for Promo Spot/Image and tied for Director/Short Form.
“I think the FOX 50 Creative Services team is the best in the business!” said FOX 50 Creative Services Director Kevin Kolbe. “Always love to see them get the recognition they deserve with nominations and awards! They totally ROCK!”
WRAL-TV Creative Director Shelly Leslie also gave kudos to her team; the newest member of Creative Services snagged an Emmy on his first time out.
“I’m super excited for Topical Writer/Producer Justin Arner who got his first nominations ever (3!) and his first win,” said Leslie. “He was in categories with veteran promotion producers. Quite an accomplishment for him to win one. He’s just exploded creatively in the last year. The winning spot showcases Justin’s vision and ability to conceptually sell an idea, and he produced it in just a few days.”
“WRAL-TV has a long history of quality journalism. We’re pleased that our work in 2013 was recognized as outstanding. We thank the judges for acknowledging our Team of professionals who work hard serving our North Carolina viewers daily,” said WRAL-TV Vice President and General Manager Steven D. Hammel.
WRAL and FOX50 Winners include:
NEWS EXCELLENCE
WRAL News Excellence, Rick Gall, WRAL
NEWSCAST/WEEKEND
Hurricane Sandy, Lori Grant, David Crabtree, Kelly Riner, Nathan Johnson, Renee Chou, Mark Simpson, Debra Morgan, Tony W. Gupton, Aimee Wilmoth, Stephanie Moore, Timothy Stiles, WRAL
LIGHT FEATURE NEWS SERIES
Tar Heel Traveler New Year’s Eve Drops, Scott Mason, Robert Meikle, Jr., WRAL
INVESTIGATIVE SERIES
Investigates: Dennis Carter, Cullen Browder, Randall Kerr, Greg Clark, WRAL
DOCUMENTARY/CULTURAL
Faith, Fear and Freedom, Clay Johnson, Jay Jennings, David Crabtree, WRAL
MAGAZINE PROGRAM
Tar Heel Traveler #22, Scott Mason, Robert Meikle, Jr., Tom Normanly, Greg Clark, WRAL
PROMO SPOT/NEWS
WRAL Investigates: Connections, Justin Arner, WRAL
PROMO SPOT/IMAGE
Seeing Is Believing, Marc Derro, Justin Owen, Gayle Hardy, FOX 50
DIRECTOR/SHORT FORM – TIE
FOX 50 Lip Dub 2013 Composite, Marc Derro, Phillipe Charles, Karin Fullington, FOX 50
You can see the complete list of winners from the 28th Annual MidSouth Emmy Awards at emmysnashvile.org.