And the winners of the inaugural Cynopsis TV Awards, handed out Tuesday in NYC’s Edison Ballroom are:
 
BEST HOST/ANCHOR [News or Documentary]
National Geographic Channel – The Story of  God with Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman displays intellectual curiosity and openness as he travels the world exploring the meaning of life, God and how religion has helped shape society. 
 
BEST HOST/JUDGE  [Food]
Food Network – Guy Fieri
Irrepressible restaurateur and author Guy Fieri brings rowdiness and passion to Food Network shows including Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Guy’s Grocery Games.
 
BEST HOST/JUDGE [Real Estate]
HGTV – Chip & Joanna Gaines
The chemistry between Chip and Joanna Gaines is a large part of the appeal of Fixer Upper, as the construction expert and the designer team to save seemingly hopeless homes.
 
BEST HOST/JUDGE [Reality]
America’s Got Talent – Nick Cannon
Winner Description: Rapper and comedian Nick Cannon, who began his career in the Nickelodeon sketch comedy All That, hosts NBC’s reality competition with a sense of fun a flair.

BEST HOST/JUDGE [Sports]
Esquire Network – Team Ninja Warrior
Winner Description: The Team Ninja Warrior hosts keep the action moving on this fast-paced American Ninja Warrior spinoff.
 
BEST HOST/JUDGE [Talk (Day/Night)]
VH1 – Marc Lamont Hill
An author and activist as well as host, Marc Lamont Hill puts a pop culture spin on the news as host of VH1 Live!.
 
BEST HOST/JUDGE [Travel]
Travel Channel – Andrew Zimmern
In Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, the adventurous host follows the paths of famous travelers to delve deep into local delicacies.
 
BEST HOST/JUDGE/NARRATOR [Adventure]
Travel Channel – Josh Gates, Expedition Unknown
Avid explorer Josh Gates uses his skills and passion for adventure to search for the truth behind unsolved legends.
 
BEST SHOWRUNNER
Tribune Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television – Misha Green & Joe Pokaski – Underground
Misha Green & Joe Pokaski created the compelling WGN America drama Underground, following a group of slaves who plan a daring escape.
 
BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN (Double wins)
Alkemy X – TruTV Hack My Life
Humorous promos like “Hack My Security” and “Hack My Car Window” helped generate excitement for the return of truTV’s Hack My Life.

Discovery Channel – Shark Week 2016
There was no escape for viewers as Discovery Channel found a myriad of ways, and marketing partners, to make a splash with Shark Week – including a Shark Week-themed aircraft .
 
BEST SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Alkemy X – Syfy The Blair Witch Project
What if 1994’s Blair Witch Project were shot today? Social media posts offered intriguing peeks at Syfy’s update.
 
BEST BRANDED INTEGRATION (Double win)
NBCUniversal – NBC News Election Night – Amazon Integration
NBC News launched its first Alexa product on Amazon Echo, allowing users to access the latest information on the presidential election.

The Weather Channel – State Farm The Weather Channel Augmented Reality Integration
The Weather Channel and State Farm teamed to use augmented reality to bring State Farm’s brand promise to life, educating consumers about the safest places to be during severe weather.
 
BEST COMMERCIAL
Discovery Channel – Harley and the Davidsons
The Harley and the Davidsons spot brings the miniseries roaring to life, conveying the intensity and drama of a moment in history.
 
BEST DOCUMENTARY SPECIAL
Our Time Projects and Documentary Group Production In Association With A&E Indie Films – Cartel Land
Cartel Land takes a hard look at the state of the ongoing drug war along the U.S.-Mexican border.
 
BEST MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE
National Geographic Channel – Killing Reagan
An adaptation of the Bill O’Reilly book, Killing Reagan tells the story of the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan in 1981. 
 
BEST OTT SERVICE
Hulu
In addition to offering next-day streaming of current shows and a catalog of complete seasons, Hulu distinguishes itself with strong film and anime content.
 
BEST NEW SERIES [Comedy]
Universal Television – The Good Place
The Good Place is a high concept comedy about the afterlife with a stellar cast and intriguing twists and turns.
 
BEST SERIES  [Comedy]
20th Century Fox Television – Fresh Off The Boat
In Fresh Off the Boat, a Taiwanese-American family running a steakhouse deals with culture shock. The comedy deals with racial and ethnic divides even as it hands out laughs.

Best Series [Sports]
MLB Central – MLB Network

BEST SERIES WRITING
BYUtv – Studio C
Studio C is a sketch comedy show offering clean, family-friendly comedy for a national audience. 

BEST CASTING [Drama + Made for TV Movie]
VH1 – The Breaks
The Breaks, starring Afton Williamson, Wood Harris and Mack Wilds, chronicles the lives of three friends during the 1990s hip-hop boom.
 
BEST NEW SERIES [Drama]
Tribune Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television – Underground
This sometimes harrowing fictional account of slavery features sharply drawn characters and a riveting narrative.
 
BEST NEW SERIES [Reality Competition] (Double win)
BYUtv – Relative Race & NBC Sports Group – Shotgun
BYUtv’s Relative Race combines drama and humor as couples dash across the country and meet new relatives along the way. 

NBC Sports Group –  Shotgun
NBC Sports Group goes full throttle with Shotgun, a high octane auto racing quiz show that tests contestants’ automotive knowledge. 
 
BEST SERIES [Drama]
20th Century Fox Television – This Is Us
Dan Fogelman’s uplifting ensemble dramedy broke the broadcast mold this fall with moving stories and emotional twists and turns.
 
BEST SERIES WRITING [Drama]
Tribune Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television – “Underground” – Misha Green & Joe Pokaski
Misha Green & Joe Pokaski wrote an epic series about a group of escaping slaves and their suffering, courage and hope.

BEST SERIES [Sports]
El Rey Network – Lucha Underground
Winner Description: Compelling stories of good and evil are told through the tradition of freestyle wrestling.

BEST REALITY COMPETITION SERIES [Dating]
Logo – Finding Prince Charming
Winner Description: Modeled after The Bachelor, Finding Prince Charming focuses on a cast of gay suitors looking for love.
 
BEST REALITY COMPETITION SERIES [Fashion/Style]
SpikeTV – Spike’s “Ink Master”
Ink Master features tattoo artists who face a variety of challenges to prove their artistic skill.
 
BEST REALITY COMPETITION SERIES [Food]
VH1 – Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party
Ultimate odd couple Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg team to prepare a themed dinner, but it’s less about cooking than good company. 

BEST REALITY SERIES [Adventure]
CNBC – CNBC’s Adventure Capitalists
Adventure Capitalists gives entrepreneurs the chance to showcase their products in the great outdoors.
 
BEST REALITY SERIES [Family-focused]
RFD-TV – FarmHer
FarmHer shines a light on women in agriculture.

BEST REALITY SERIES [Food/Lifestyle] (Double win)
Food Network – Barefoot In L.A. 
Barefoot in L.A., hosted by chef Ina Garten, covers the LA foodie  scene. 

Food Network – The Pioneer Woman 
The Pioneer Woman features chef Ree Drummond cooking for family and friends on her Oklahoma ranch.
 
BEST REALITY SERIES [Music/Arts/Entertainment]
FremantleMedia – America’s Got Talent
The appeal of long-running America’s Got Talent isn’t just sometimes quirky contestants, but its group of opinionated judges.

BEST REALITY SERIES [Real Estate]
HGTV – Fixer Upper
Texans Chip and Joanna Gaines turned their passion for buying and remodeling homes into Fixer Upper, where they oversee major home makeovers.
 
BEST REALITY SERIES [Travel]
State Plate, An INSP Original Series
Each episode of State Plate revolves around a different state’s most symbolic foods. Former American Idol host Taylor Hicks hosts.
 
BEST REALITY SERIES [True Crime]
MTV’s Unlocking the Truth
True crime show Unlocking The Truth investigates cases of  wrongful convictions, in the hopes of overturning them.
 
BEST NEW SERIES [Nighttime]
VH1 – VH1 Live!
Hosted by award-winning journalist Marc Lamont Hill, weekly late night talk show VH1 Live covers current events in pop culture.  
 
BEST TALK SERIES [Daytime]
Food Network – The Kitchen
The Kitchen mixes meal tips and trivia with recipes in a breezy hour for home cooks.
 
BEST TALK SERIES [Nighttime]
National Geographic Channel – StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts this science-based late-night show featuring interviews with well-known guests from the worlds of entertainment, politics and science.
 
BEST SERIES [Documentary]
Lucky 8 TV – 60 Days In
Offering an eye-opening look at corruption and American justice, 60 Days in follows seven individuals posing as inmates in the Clark County Jail in Indiana. 
 
BEST SERIES [Limited]
A+E Studios in association with Marc Tobero Productions and The Wolper Organization for History – Roots
This powerful remake of the 1977 miniseries strikes a balance between hope and misery, with deft direction and an outstanding cast.
 
BEST CROSS PLATFORM CAMPAIGN [Originating with a Broadcast/Cable TV Show] (Double win)
Spike – Lip Sync Battle Season 2
Lip Sync Battle, the most-watched original program in Spike’s history, has amassed over half a billion video streams since launch last April.

Crown Media Family Networks (Hallmark Channel) – Countdown to Christmas 2015 Marketing Campaign
By Halloween, it’s already Christmas at Hallmark Channel, with classics as well as original holiday movies robustly promoted on social (#CountdownToChristmas) and beyond.
 
BEST USE OF A COMPANION VIDEO FOR A REALITY TV SHOW
HGTV- House Hunters’ Writers’ Room
HGTV brought the funny with a tongue-in-cheek look at the House Hunters writers room.
 
BEST USE OF COMPANION VIDEO FOR A TV SHOW
Campfire at SapientNitro – Outcast Interactive Trailer: “Possession Begins”
A creepy promotion for Outcast used 3D audio technology and eye-tracking software to show how it feels to be possessed.
 
BEST WRITING [Made for TV Movie]
VH1 – The Breaks
Breaks, set in 1990, captures the grit, humor and music of the era in New York City as three friends hustle to make it in the music industry.
 
NETWORK DIVERSITY
El Rey Network
Launched by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, El Rey Network is an English language channel targeting young adult Latino audiences, serving it up for “rebels, aficionados and passionate creators.“
 
BEST PRODUCTION COMPANY
Lucky 8 TV
Lucky 8 TV focuses on unscripted programming for networks including A&E, Food Network and Animal Planet, with innovative shows like 60 Days In, Brain Games and Breaking The Rules.
 
BEST TV GROUP
Scripps Networks Interactive
Scripps Networks Interactive is a leader in lifestyle content, with brands HGTV, DYI Network, Food Network Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and Great American Country engaging over 190 million consumers each month.
 
BEST BROADCAST NETWORK
Fox Broadcasting Company
While Fox serves up fresh fare like Empire and The Mick, the net’s long-running hit The Simpsons never gets old.
 
BEST AD-SUPPORTED CABLE NETWORK [Distributed to 1-50 Million U.S. Households]
Univision Deportes Network
Spanish-language Univision Deportes Network features sports programs including games, lively discussions, interviews and more.

BEST AD-SUPPORTED CABLE NETWORK [Distributed to 50-74,999 Million U.S. Households]
Cooking Channel
Scripps Networks Interactive’s Cooking Channel is dedicated to the passionate food lover, offering recipes, history and how-tos to anyone hungry for culinary content.
 
BEST AD-SUPPORTED CABLE NETWORK [Distributed to 75-89,999 Million U.S. Households]
Investigation Discovery
Discovery Communications’ Investigation Discovery stays true to its true crime beat, offering insight into the darker side of human nature. 
 
BEST AD-SUPPORTED CABLE NETWORK [Distributed to 90-100+ Million U.S. Households]
HGTV
Scripps Networks Interactive’s HGTV offers design, real estate  and renovation inspiration with shows that feature engaging, “real people” hosts.
 
HONORING OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ELEVATED THE MEDIA INDUSTRY
Linda Boff, CMO – General Electric // Navigator Award
Bill Koenigsberg, President, CEO & Founder – Horizon Media // Champion Award
 
2016-2017 AWARD-WINNING BUYERS & PLANNERS
 
Jen Blohm, Supervisor, Media Planning – IMM
Jen Blohm’s most valuable asset as a media planner is her ability to collaborate across teams. That skill has resulted in better client results, innovation and testing opportunities, as well as a committed team. Many people within the organization have relayed their desire to work on her team because of the dynamic that Jen cultivates. 
 
Lauren Coffey, Digital Advertising Planner – Bandy Carroll Hellige
Lauren Coffey helps craft digital strategies across multiple categories, always on the lookout for opportunities that best fit each client as well as cost efficient vendors. She has a keen understanding of where the market is headed, and how Bandy Carroll Hellige can best understand the digital KPIs for its clients. 
 
Yovantonette Daniels, On-Air Media Planning Sr. Manager – MundoMax
Yovantonette Daniels is an accomplished Hispanic media planner, adaptable and diplomatic as well as a motivator and team leader. Yovantonette manages a staff within budget, making the most with the resources available to draw viewership with strategic campaign planning.
 
Niki Decou, VP, Brand Group Director – Horizon Media
As VP, Brand Group Director, Niki DeCou leads with an agnostic approach that includes media, creative, measurement and technology expertise. Niki is also an active mentor at Horizon, having helped pilot the agency’s MentorME internal mentorship program.    
 
Kyle McAteer, Sr. Media Planner – Horizon Media  
Kyle McAteer is an integral part of Horizon’s digital team. A manager and mentor to 6 people, his level of dedication and creativity is one of the reasons budgets for 2017 will rise dramatically across accounts. Kyle also goes above and beyond by participating in activities including public speaking roles for Upstart U, and Alumni Relation programs. 
 
Val O’Sullivan, Associate Director of Investments – Compass Point//McCann
Data is just the beginning for Val O’Sullivan – it’s her heart that transforms her “buys” into full-on marketing experiences. Val provides insight, market smarts, and ideas beginning early in the planning process; as a result, her work pulls in personalities, adjacencies, and content that elevate the creative work and weaves a cross-media message.
 
Frank Puma, Group Director – Mindshare
Frank Puma is the backbone of the Volvo Digital team, and a trusted advisor to clients. Rather than working with “vendors,” Frank creates connective tissue between media partners, which translates to great media partnerships for Volvo.
 
Lauren Rose, Media Director – Hydrogen Advertising
Lauren Rose started the media department at Hydrogen in 2012, developing her own processes in order to work seamlessly all other departments. She works in lock step with strategy and creative throughout the entire process, making for more effective and efficient media buys. Hydrogen also values Lauren’s stellar negotiating skills and strong relationships with media partners.  
 
Sam Rose, VP, Director Video Investment – Horizon Media
Under Sam Rose’s leadership, the agency’s National TV team has grown from a group of 12 employees to a powerhouse of over 50 people. Samantha has played an integral role in first-to-market executions for her many clients, embracing forward thinking in an ever-changing video landscape.          
 
Whitney Smith, Partner, Associate Director – Digital Investment, Mindshare
Whitney Smith drives digital innovation and investment for one of the largest innovators in the industry: General Mills. Overseeing 15 different brands, her skills extend beyond traditional investment leadership, with rich experience in search and social media, setting her apart from much of the industry’s vertical focus as a game-changing voice and thought leader. 
 
Amy Smock, Media Director – Bandy Carroll Hellige
Amy Smock works diligently to ensure comprehensive research is done on every account, and strategies are in line with the latest trends. She is also a supportive manager who works to make sure all in her sphere succeed.
 
Luis Vazquez Associate Buying Director – National Video
Luis Vazquez has been at Zenith since May of 2005, after a 5-year stint working for the New York Mets. Vazquez currently works for clients Astrazeneca and Boston Beer but has covered a variety of accounts in the past, including Toyota, Ferrero, H&M, Ocean Spray, and Hankook Tires.
 
Jason Philip Yoong, VP of Strategy – Vizeum (Dentsu Aegis)
Jason Philip Yoong built the infrastructure and processes among Communications Planning, Ad Operations, Analytics, TV Buying, Audio, Digital, Social, Search and Programmatic from scratch. Heis the lead for all Fox broadcast and Fox Sports digital strategy and media, in charge of all digital partnerships and upfront deals with Google, Amazon, People Magazine and more.
 
Samantha Zack, Supervisor of Media Investment – Mediacom
Samantha Zack oversees National TV for client Subway to ensure sound, client-driven and strategic investments, developing and executing high-profile, multi-platform marketing and media programs in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams including planning, digital and social for maximum effectiveness.