Morehead State Public Radio’s Paul Hitchcock wins national communicator awards

Morehead State Public Radio (MSPR) General Manager Paul Hitchcock (Class of 1988) recently received awards from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA).

Hitchcock won first place in editing and second in the production and programming categories for "Golden Age of Radio: VJ Day." The Editing Excellence Award is Hitchcock's second national award and his third time placing at the national level. Previously, he won the National Federation of Community Broadcasters Golden Reel Award in 2000 and was a national finalist for the award in 2000 and 2003.

Hitchcock earned his bachelor's degree in Radio-TV/Psychology from Georgetown College in 1986 and his master's in communication from MSU in 1988. Before coming to MSU, Hitchcock worked at WRVG-FM at Georgetown College and commercial stations in Lexington and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He has worked for MSU for 35 years and has been MSPR's general manager since 2003.

Hitchcock said he's honored to receive the award. He said his work is a reflection of his lifelong love of radio.

"I grew up in the 60's and 70's, so AM/FM radio was a big part of my childhood. I would listen for hours, making cassette recordings and imitating my favorite announcers," Hitchcock said. "I've always been drawn to radio's distinct voices and music in all forms and genres. I love my work, and everything associated with radio. I'm still that kid finding something special in creating audio with voices and music. I don't think I'll ever outgrow my love for radio."

The Communicator Awards is the leading global awards program honoring creative excellence for marketing and communications professionals. Founded three decades ago, the Communicator Awards is an annual competition recognizing the best in advertising, corporate communications, public relations, and design.

The Communicator Awards is sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA), an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from acclaimed brand and media, interactive, advertising, and marketing firms, including GE Digital, Spotify, Condé Nast, Disney, Accenture Song, Superfly, Fast Company, Digitas, and many others. See aiva.org for more information.

WMKY serves more than 20 counties throughout eastern Kentucky from the MSU campus. Listeners can enjoy Morehead State Public Radio through WMKY at 90.3FM, online at www.wmky.org, by phone app, or by a smart speaker ("Play WMKY").

For more information about MSPR, email Hitchcock at p.hitchc@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2334.