The ceremony for the Russian government’s awards in the media sphere for 2018 took place at the Arseny Morozov House on January 14. Russia’s Prime Minister signed the decree to award the government prizes in December 2017 and in January, 14 people received the accolades.
As per tradition, one of the awards is given out at the suggestion of the head of government, Dmitry Medvedev. This year this honour went to NTV analyst Vladimir Kondratyev for his personal contribution to the development of mass media. Vladimir Kondratyev began working at NTV channel in 1994 and in 2015, he won the TEFI award for his contribution to the development of Russian television.
Other award nominees were selected based on the suggestions from the expert council, which includes representatives from Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, industry organizations and media outlets.
The general manager of Gazprom-Media Radio, which is part of Gazprom-Media Holding, Yuri Kostin received the government award for his personal contribution to the development of the industry.
“People listen to radio not only at home or in the car, but now also through the phone and online. It is becoming part of very interesting developments in the mass media sphere,” said Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev upon presenting the award.
In response, the general manager of Gazprom-Media Radio Yuri Kostin thanked the Prime Minister and the colleagues who supported his nomination, emphasizing that the prestigious award is a reflection of the work done by his whole team.
“One man on the battlefield does not make an army. This is a recognition of everyone who worked for Avtoradio, everyone who worked at one of the first privately-owned radio stations in Russia, Radio 101. Thank you to everyone who voted in support of my candidacy, especially since all of the nominees are famous people that can have multiple novels written about them. These are people who are united by one big goal - to serve their profession honestly and selflessly, and in this way, to serve the Fatherland. Thank you for the award and for the trust in me,” said Yuri Kostin.
In 2018, under Yuri Kostin’s leadership, the radio holding managed to maintain its previous development pace and implement all of its strategic plans. Today Gazprom-Media Radio brings together nine radio brands, the online radio 101.ru and a network of branches in the largest Russian cities. The radio stations of the holding are heard across Russia, in CIS countries and in a number of European states.
The Russian government gives out 10 awards each year to media organizations and their representatives for notable creative and professional achievements. This year, the awards were also given to the editor-in-chief of Arzamas project Philip Dzyadko, the chief of the XX World Russian Press Congress organizing committee in New York Marietta Rosenthal, and the president of Max Media Group Mikhail Mikshis, among others.
In 2017, the prize was given to the general manager of Friday! TV channel Nikolay Kartozia for introducing new, creative TV formats.