The IRF  showcased some of the best music programmes from around the world

Taking place from 12th to 16th September in Zurich, the International Radio Festival (IRF) united radio stations from around the world and showcased some of the best music programmes available today, and broadcasted them all “live” On-Air; on FM, Online, on Cable, and on Greater Media Network USA.

“We are once again overwhelmed by the incredible encouragement we have received from our radio guests and delegates who participated in the IRF. The feedback leaves little doubt that content is king and that there is an undisputed demand for a platform such as the IRF where music radio can meet, network, share knowledge trade and exchange music radio formats, leading to even better listening experiences for radio audiences” say the organisers Darryl von Däniken & Miguel Alvarez.

Once again reaching millions of listeners around the world, the IRF created a unique platform for the music radio world to network, share knowledge, launch, exchange & trade formats, and explore audience preferences, whilst celebrating the best music programming and content.

With three studios in Zurich: the famous Schloss Sihlberg Villa for the day programs; the official IRF hotel Four Points Sihlcity Sheraton for the morning breakfast show and the Cabaret Club for the evening, the IRF broadcasted 137 hours of radio shows from 20 different countries offering those tuned-in the rare opportunity to “Listen to how the World Sounds”. Listen to the shows on Mixcloud here;  www.mixcloud.com/IRF

Radio stations broadcasting from the festival:

  • 100FM, Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Basso Radio, Helsinki, Finland
  • BBC Radio One, London UK
  • Byte FM, Hamburg, Germany
  • Carhartt Radio WIP with Fat Cat Records, UK
  • DRS3, Switzerland
  • Energia, Sao Paolo, Brazil
  • Flex FM, London, UK
  • FM4, Vienna, Austria
  • Ghetto Radio Accra, Ghana
  • In Sein Radio, Gent, Belgium
  • Kiss FM, Melbourne, Australia
  • Le Mouv, Paris, France
  • Lush 99.5FM, Singapore
  • Ministry of Sound Radio, London, UK
  • Pioneer DJ Radio, UK
  • ·Q Radio London, UK
  • Radio Melodica, London, UK
  • Radio Nula, Slovenia
  • Red FM, Mumbai, India
  • Roxy FM, Warsaw, Poland
  • RTE/2XM, Dublin, Ireland
  • Sonica with Pioneer Radio DJ, Ibiza
  • Virgin Radio, Turkey
  • Zip FM, Vilnius, Lithuania

Special Programs:

  • “Screen Tracks” 2 hour movie music show by legendary Fox Music President, Robert Kraft, USA
  • Highlight sessions from Rob da Bank, BBC Radio 1, UK

“I’m really thankful to the IRF as there was a huge contest in India – over 180 radio stations applied for opportunity to represent the country and broadcast live from Zurich and we were so excited to be selected. Once we got here we realised there is everybody from every community and the opportunity meet people at a world level from Israel, Ghana, Germany and UK. It has opened up our minds in so many ways so we would like to thanks the IRF for giving us this opportunity” Malishka Stanlea, Red FM, India

IRF Awards
The IRF “ON-AIR” Awards underpin the Festival’s goal to celebrate the very best in global music radio programming, and through these awards the IRF wishes to honour those radio makers who push the boundaries in music radio entertainment. All invited music radio guests participating in the IRF are also nominated for one of five awards. More info here www.internationalradiofestival.com/2012-2/

The winners of the 2012 IRF ON-AIR Awards go to:
1) Best Swiss Radio Show – Sounds! by DRS3
2) Best International Radio Show – Sunny Side Up from Vienna, Austria
3) Best Radio Station – Ibiza Sonica, Ibiza, Spain
4) Lifetime Achievement Award – Robert Kraft, 20th Century Fox Music President, USA
5) Special “ON-AIR” Award Commendation will be announced towards the end of September

“We’re very chuffed to have won the award for the best international radio station. It’s our third visit to the IRF and it’s a great place to meet people from all over the world who you wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to hook up with.” Andy Wilson, Ibiza Sonica, Ibiza, Spain

B2B Forum
The festival also featured an exclusive B2B Forum, which was the perfect place to meet music radio professionals on a one to one basis. The boutique event brought together people who are passionate about radio from around the world to discuss the key issues and develop closer business and cultural relationships. This years topics included; what makes a successful radio program, the demand for radio in the 21st century, community radio and Key Notes from Ghetto Radio, Ghana, Gupta Media, USA, MX3.ch, CH, and Mixcloud, UK.

Watch interviews with radio industry professionals here www.youtube.com/user/intlradiofest

Speakers at the B2B Forum included:

  • Adrien Simonnet, Francodiff
    Gogi Gupta, Gupta Media
  • James Cridland, Media UK
  • Joe D’Angelo, Senior Vice President of US Broadcast & Services, Ibiquity Digital
  • Julien Mourlon, Laidback Radio Brussels
  • Julian Schweizer, Swiss Online Publishing
  • Maarten Brouwer, Ghetto Radio & This is Africa
  • Nikhil Shah, Mixcloud
  • Robert Kraft, President, Fox Music
  • Samuel Vuillermoz, mx3.ch
    Scott Cohen, The Orchard

“It’s a great audience at the IRF, very intimate, very high quality people here and in a very relaxing friendly atmosphere which I have enjoyed a lot.” Gogi Gupta, Gupta Media, USA

US College Radio Promotion:
The week marks the launch of the International Radio Festival search for the best US College DJ, hosted on Mixcloud.com.  The IRF invites all College Radio DJs to submit their best music radio show for a chance to win a trip to the world’s best music conference – Midem – taking place in Cannes, France from 26th– 29th January 2013. The winner will meet top music industry executives, attend Midem conference sessions and enjoy over 40 live acts.  Promotion sponsored by HD Radio, in partnership with CMJ and Mixcloud. For more information and how to enter go to the IRF website www.international radiofestival.com/campusradio

What the Radio’s say. Quotes from this year’s participants:

“It’s been a great experience to be at the IRF and meet lots of nice people and learn a lot and I give it the big thumbs up” Timmy Bryne, Kiss FM, Australia,

“It’s my second time at the IRF and it’s a pleasure to be back in Zurich to enjoy the nice location and meet great people who are passionate about the same things as me” Julien Mourlon, Laidback Radio, Belgium

“As I work in digital and music radio so it’s very important for me to be here. The festival has been really interesting, I’ve met a lot of people and listened to some interesting key notes and I’ll definitely come back next year.” Gustav Lützhoeft, Danish Broadcasting Corporation, Denmark 

“A very well organised festival, run by people who are passionate about radio, where like minded people can come together and express their frustrations, happiness and creativity in one place.” M3nsa, DJ Black, Wanlov the Kubolor, Ghetto Radio, Ghana

“I’m very happy that we were invited to the IRF and we hope it’s not the last time we will come to Zurich” Simona Albaviciture, Zip FM, Lithuania

“The IRF is an up and coming event that really puts in a lot of effort to make radio something got be reckoned with again, as in this present age of digital technology radio seems to be a little undermined and throws new light on the fact that radio is evolving” Chris Ho, Lush FM, Singapore 

“It’s great to come to the IRF to meet people from all around the world who have the same passion for radio that we have to share ideas, share music and we’ve had an awesome time.” Rascal, Outlaw and Carloss, Flex FM, UK

“It’s been absolutely fantastic to come to the IRF and meet up with some wonderful people face to face that we would only be able to contact email or skype.  It’s great to network and there are people from as far as Australia and India here.” Steve O’Connor, Ministry of Sound, UK

“The IRF is all about bringing together the best in music radio from all over the world into one place for one week. I’m a massive fan of music radio and I’ve met some really fun, interesting and inspiring people who I hope to keep in touch with and hopefully do some great business with.’ Nikhil Shah, Mixcloud, UK 

“The IRF is a sociable place, set up so people are able to easily chat and network with each other” Dawn Monocle 24 Radio. UK

It’s an amazing place to be with so many different people here –  live radio shows being broadcast in one room, bands being interviewed downstairs and discussions about interesting topics upstairs.” Stuart Manton, Student Radio Association, UK 

About the International Radio Festival (IRF):
Founded in 2010 by Darryl von Däniken & Miguel Alvarez, the IRF is a Zurich-based organisation. The IRF is the first and only international radio festival of its kind, celebrating the world’s most consumed medium – Music Radio. The IRF is the key place where the Music Radio world comes together to celebrate and showcase some of the best music programmes, to deliberate and collaborate, to network and to discover trends about their Industry. A must-attend event, the IRF brings together Music Radio Professionals, Record Labels, Music Managers & Agents, Lifestyle Brands/Services and their Marketing & Advertising Agencies, Media Professionals and Educational Establishments. The IRF was chosen as a finalist in the 2011 British Swiss Business Awards.  www.internationalradiofestival.com/

UK Media Contact:
For more information, photos and interviews contact;
Nikki McNeill @ Global Publicity
nikki@46.32.240.39
+44 7957 434517