Aussies To Compete In Benztown Imaging Competition

Benztown, a global leader in radio imaging, has announced that Brad Leask, Network Imaging Producer, NOVA Entertainment, Victoria, Australia, has been chosen as the finalist in the sixth annual Iron Imager Contest, an international radio imaging contest where production professionals compete for the coveted title of World’s Best Imager.

Leask will face off against fellow countryman and Iron Imager 2016 titleholder, Sideshow Mike Andersen, Triple M Imaging, Southern Cross Austereo in Sydney, Australia, in a head-to-head live competition on Thursday, May 4, 2017, at the Worldwide Radio Summit at the W Hollywood Hotel.

Leask and Andersen will demonstrate their world-class imaging skills by producing an original imaging piece for a format unannounced until the day of the competition. Contestants will use elements from one of Benztown’s 20 production libraries, voiceover talent roster, and an original script created by the Benztown team. The 2017 Iron Imager will be declared and presented at 10:55 a.m. on Friday, May 5, in the General Session Room. Iron Imager is the first and only competition of its kind.

Brad Leask has been NOVA Entertainment’s Network Imaging Producer for the past three years. While undertaking an advanced Diploma of Sound Production at RMIT, Brad became part of NOVA Entertainment’s Internship Program. In February 2014, Brad joined that company as an Imaging Producer and within 12 months had developed his skills to take on his current role crafting the imagery for NOVA Entertainment’s Nova and smoothfm networks, Star 104.5 and FIVEaa.

Mike Anderson

Title defender Sideshow has been pushing buttons and writing great creative at Australia’s top rock station, Triple M in Sydney since 1995. He worked with breakfast team Andrew Denton and Amanda Keller in the 90s, before moving into the imaging slot. His style is a quirky mix of rock riffs and clever, subtle scripts. In his 20 years at Triple M he’s racked up a record 20 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRA’s) for his production. In Australia, Sidey is also a well known voiceover artist, lending his voice to national campaigns for Qantas, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Mitsubishi, Energizer, Coca Cola, Universal Music, Warner Music, Sony Music, Virgin Mobile and many more, including being the station voice for TV networks Channel 7 and FX.

Dave “Chachi” Denes, Benztown President, said: "Andy and I have always been impressed with how great radio is in Australia. It’s amongst the most creative in the world. Sidey and Brad are both instrumental in the sound of their respective station groups and we’re honored to have them participate."