Australian audio equipment manufacturer RØDE is launching a global competition for content creators. The total prize pool is US$250,000 in cash and over US$100,000 in additional prizes. 

The RØDE Creator of the Year Awards, building on the company’s previous My RØDE Reel and My RØDE Cast competitions, aims to recognize creators across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

“With the RØDE Creator of the Year Awards, RØDE and its partners are celebrating a new generation of creators – giving back to a community that inspires the world,” RØDE CEO Damien Wilson said in a news release.

Financial Review reports that RØDE’s revenue rose from $116 million in 2017-18 to $318 million in 2020-21 (net profit from $22M to $55M) amid YouTubers and TikToks’ home-audio boom, which was intensified by pandemic lockdowns.

Awards and Cash Prizes

The competition encompasses 22 content categories, including ASMR, DIY & Hobbies, Food & Cooking, Gym & Fitness, Health & Wellness, Video Podcasts, and more.

Each category features two awards: one judged by RØDE and another determined by community voting.

The Creator of the Year Award’s top prize includes $20,000 in cash and over $30,000 in prizes. 

An Emerging Creator of the Year Award, targeting new content creators who started their channels within the last year, offers $10,000 in cash and over $30,000 in prizes. 

Category Award and People’s Choice Award winners each receive $5,000 in cash and a partner prize pack.

To participate, creators must use a RØDE product in their content creation and have an active channel or account on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. 

The submission process requires selecting a category, providing up to three content links representing their channel, and specifying the RØDE product used.

The competition opens for entries immediately, with a submission deadline of October 1. Community voting for the People’s Choice Awards in each category will run from October 15 to October 31.