The results for the 2006 Podcast Awards contest were announced late yesterday and the list of nearly all winners posted. FIR was a contender for the Best Business Podcast award – but we didn’t win.

Winner of this category was Manager Tools, a weekly podcast focused on helping you become a more effective manager and leader, hosted by Mark Hortsman and Michael Auzenne. A worthy competitor and a worthy winner.

We don’t know how FIR fared in the contest as voting details haven’t been published. What we do know is that, overall, the awards site received just under 8 million hits during July and August. That’s a lot of hits!

We would like to thank everyone who voted for FIR. We greatly appreciate your support.

Winners of the two top-level categories – People’s Choice and Best Produced Podcast – will be announced during the Podcast and Portable Media Expo late next month (Shel and Neville will be speaking at that event).

Warm congratulations to all the winners!

(Cross-posted from For Immediate Release, Shel’s and my podcast blog.)

8 responses to “2006 Podcast Awards – Results”

  1. Joseph Thornley avatar

    Hi Neville,
    FIR is the definite winner with the PR community. The results may simply show that these awards need to recognize more distinct communities of interest like PR.

    Lumping FIR in with a vanilla management podcast (and a really good one) like Managers Tools probably predetermines the outcome from the get go.

    Keep up the great work. We’ll keep listening!

  2. neville avatar

    Thanks Joseph. The category was rather all-embracing and I suppose it’s not surprising that a niche one like FIR didn’t get the prize. Full marks to Manager Tools.

    I wonder what would happen if FIR were in a voting contest with other communication-related podcasts? ATS, Six Pixels, Better Comms Roasted Cafe, Earshot, Trafcom News, OTRO, Heidi Miller, Inside PR… (I bet I’ve left one out!)

    A lot of great content out there, with unique and personal presentation styles. How on earth would anyone pick a winner when they’re all winners?

    :)

  3. Hugh Fraser avatar

    Never mind. Awards are nice, but it’s more important to have devoted listeners. FIR is very innovative, especially in your use of reporters from spots around the world, not to mention the trans-atlantic duel format. I’m sure it will get an award one day.

  4. neville avatar

    Thanks Hugh, appreciate your support.

    Couldn’t agree more re listeners. That’s what counts most.

  5. Claes-Fredrik avatar

    I haven’t gotten around to listening to your podcast yet, but I did notice there was no children’s entertainment category. Too bad, since Hugh has an excellent children’s story podcast.

  6. Simon Wakeman avatar

    Hi Neville,

    Too bad FIR didn’t steal the show – I voted (several times) for you.

    I think you’re right – the category was very broad, and Manager Tools is a resource that appeals to anyone with management responsibilities.

    The niche FIR occupies is more specialised than that, and so has a smaller target audience.

    For me you guys are at the forefront of this developing communications medium – your insight and knowledge never ceases to impress me, and inspire me to try new techniques in my professional capacity. I have plenty of podcasts queued up on my PDA to listen to, but FIR always jumps the queue.

    I’m looking forward to the video that you’ve taken up the gauntlet to do…

    cheers
    sw

  7. Drew B avatar

    Well done Neville. Just saw the finalists. You’re flying the flag for the comms industry.

  8. neville avatar

    Thanks, guys, appreciate your support.

    Simon, that video is coming sooner or later…