MEDIA. NEWS, EVENTS, & EVERYTHING ELSE GOING ON AT BENZTOWN.

29 March 2015

IRON IMAGER 2015: USA VS CANADA

MARCH 29, 2015, BURBANK, CA—Benztown, an international radio imaging, production library, programming, jingles and voice-over services company, today announced that Sean Galbraith, Imaging Producer of Z1035 (CIDCFM – Toronto) and Energy 106 (CHWE – Winnipeg) has been chosen as finalist in the fourth annual Iron Imager Contest, an international radio imaging contest where production professionals compete for cash and other prizes and the coveted title of World’s Best Imager. Galbraith will face off against Iron Imager 2013 and 2014 titleholder, Dan Kelly, Creative Services Director, WPLJ & NASH-FM/New York, in a head-to-head live competition on April 23 at the All Access Worldwide Radio Summit at the Roosevelt Hotel Hollywood. Galbraith and Kelly 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 and an original script created by the Benztown team. The 2015 Iron Imager will be declared and presented at the Westwood One Awards Luncheon at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24. Iron Imager is the first and only competition of its kind.

It’s been 15 short years of climbing the rungs of the radio production ladder to where contender Sean Galbraith is today. From a co-op student to the Imaging Producer of Z1035 (CIDCFM – Toronto) and Energy 106 (CHWE – Winnipeg), Sean has grown with the Evanov Radio Group, cutting his teeth in many formats across Canada, including: CHR, A/C, Hot A/C and Rock Alternative. He loves the four padded walls of his production studio where he gets to write and create sound for two of Canada’s most vibrant major markets, working closely with programmers and making their vision of radio come alive. Sean’s goal is to reach through the radio and grab listeners by the ears and let them know where they are. In his spare time, he also runs his own successful freelance production company. Off the radio production stage, Sean is a husband and a proud father of three.

Third-time challenger and native New Yorker, Dan Kelly, has been Creative Services Director for WPLJ, New York since 2002 and for Nash-FM 94-7, New York since its launch in 2013. Doing the imaging for both formats has been a gratifying experience for Dan, who uses the same principles to create fun and entertaining promos and sweepers for two different audiences, using different voice talent and different styles in his production. This summer marks Dan’s 22nd year in the radio business, which has taken him from stations near his home in the suburbs of New York City to Poughkeepsie, NY, White Plains, NY, Trenton, NJ, and Philadelphia, PA, in both on-air and production roles– only to have the huge honor to come home to the legendary WPLJ in 2002. Dan’s professional focus is to make his imaging as fun and entertaining to listen to as possible without losing the message. His philosophy is “Less is more”. He also provides his voice to many television and radio clients.

Dave “Chachi” Denes, Benztown President, said: “With two of the world’s most talented imaging professionals competing as finalists, Iron Imager Contest 2015 will be an international throw-down like none before. We are pleased to provide the arena for these two exceptionally gifted imagers to compete for the title of World’s Best Imager for 2015.”

Sean Galbraith said: “It’s the battle of the borders…. Canada vs. the U.S.A.!!! Dan Kelly, are you ready to hand over that belt to where it belongs?!?! EH?!?! I feel honoured and extremely excited for this opportunity that Benztown and the voters have given me. I love the forward thinking of this contest, where Benztown Branding is shining a light on what we do in the imaging world. I can’t wait to come down to L.A. and represent the Evanov Radio Group!”

Dan Kelly, 2013 and 2014 Iron Imager, said: “Well, well… Since I’m an American hockey fan going up against a Canadian, I’ll say this, eh: I’m gonna smash him into the boards, eh! Legally, of course. I’ll do my best to dangle and deke through his defense and score the sickest of goals. Well…audio goals. On ProTools. Y’know. Seriously, though, it’ll be a lot of fun and I’m really pumped for a chance to do this a third time. Will it be a Three-Peat? Or will Sean get the belt? Will the belt fit him? I don’t know, but I’m gonna get into my audio training mode NOW! Cue the Rocky theme! I’m proud to represent Cumulus/New York again! May the best imager win! Loser should have to buy the winner dinner at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles! Bring it!”