Auckland Live Digital Services named innovation winners
Auckland Live Digital Services has been awarded the HPA Innovation of the Year Award at the 2020 Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand (EVANZ) end of year conference.
The awards, announced on Tuesday night at a gala event in Hamilton, were different from the usual annual ceremony, with gongs presented in just three categories reflecting the efforts individuals, venues, and businesses have made to get through the extraordinary time since the first Covid-19 lockdown in March.
A standout in the HPA Innovation of the Year category, Auckland Live Digital Services’ entry demonstrated the significant outcomes and wide-reaching benefits from a suite of digital initiatives devised and delivered across the past eight months in response to lockdown, and to repurpose the organisation’s digital profile and proficiency for the future.
From online hui with partners such as PANNZ and Creative New Zealand, to live-streams of artists and creatives in conversation at the digital studio in The Herald theatre, to multi-camera live broadcasts of rehearsed and live performances edited in real-time to thousands of viewers, the organisation came together seamlessly over lockdowns to ensure the world of live performance and creative conversations were accessible to all at a time when so many doors were closed.
Auckland Live deputy director and general manager of Programming and Presenter Services, Bernie Haldane, says all teams across Auckland Live contributed to the digital initiatives, ensuring it was a full business activation.
“From grass roots industry and community hui to merging the online and live in-venue experience seamlessly and without compromise, to transforming live theatre skills to TV studio skills as well as taking on aspirational live stream monetised challenges, we really came together as a business to make this happen,” she says.
She says just as significantly, the initiative ensured continued access to audiences for Auckland Live’s resident companies and festivals – including the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Auckland Writers Festival - during a time when many avenues were closed, and shared New Zealand theatre stories and secured much-needed public donations.
“This award recognises the knowledge, experience and expertise within Auckland Live and our ability to work collaboratively, and with initiative and agility to create truly great outcomes that benefit all in the community,” says Bernie.
She says Auckland Live will continue to grow and develop its digital platform as it embraces new technologies blended with creative outcomes.
2020 EVANZ Awards winners:
- Charles Forbes - Contribution to the Industry
- Eloise Braithwaite (P4G) - Ungerboeck Team Member of the Year
- Megan Peacock-Coyle (Toitoi) - VMA Team Leader of the Year
- Auckland Live Digital Services - HPA Innovation of the Year
