One hundred and nineteen radio/audio spots and campaigns made it to the finals of the 2023 Radio Mercury Awards. The submissions were created by advertising agencies, brands, production companies, radio stations and students.
The 2023 finalists range from regional and large advertising agencies and radio stations as well as national and local advertisers from business categories including automotive, consumer packaged goods, entertainment, healthcare, nonprofits, quick-serve restaurants, retail, telecommunications, travel and hospitality.“After coming out of a turbulent few years, one takeaway from this year’s judging is that comedy is back,” said Sherman Winfield, executive creative director, VMLY&R, and chief judge for the Radio Mercury Awards. “It was great for the final round jury to hear agencies, clients and radio stations become comfortable again with combining humor and entertainment with their messaging.”“This year’s finalists reflect radio’s effectiveness as an advertising medium,” noted Erica Farber, president and chief executive officer, RAB, and chair of the Radio Creative Fund. “We are very excited to award the winners of this year’s competition and celebrate great radio work.”In addition to Chief Judge Sherman Winfield, the final round judging panel included Ashley Andrews, group creative director, Wunderman Thompson Atlanta; Mitch Bennett, executive creative director, Baldwin&; Lauren Cooper, creative director, Gut; John Fiebke, executive vice president, head of copy, FCB Chicago; Larry Gordon, group creative director, Laundry Service New York; Piper Hickman, executive creative director, McKinney; Larissa Kirschner-Chaney; freelance creative director and Yelan Tong, group creative director, VMLY&R Kansas City.Sponsors for the event include event sponsor iHeartMedia; dedicated sponsors Hubbard Radio; livestream sponsor Audacy; participating sponsors Beasley Media Group, CUMULUS MEDIA | Westwood One, Katz Radio Group, Salem Media Group; general sponsors CBS News Radio, Connoisseur Media, Forcht Broadcasting, Mr. Master, Neuhoff Media, Nielsen, Skyview Networks, vCreative and Xperi.The Radio Mercury Awards winners will be presented on Thursday, June 8 at SONY Hall in New York City. As previously announced, Procter & Gamble is being awarded as Radio Marketer of the Year. For more information, go to www.radiomercuryawards.com.Branded Podcast: Agency, Production Company, Advertiser, Radio Station or GroupUnseen & Unheard PodcastJanssen PharmaceuticalsFCB ChicagoWhat Should I Do With My Money, episode 2: Financially Fit at FortyMorgan StanleyPacific ContentPrincess and the Pea-titionNow Upon a TimeThe Martin AgencyBroadcast Radio Campaign: Agency, Production Company or AdvertiserHafta is HistoryMonsterArnold WorldwideInsurance ShantiesProgressive InsuranceArnold WorldwidePets Stay Free (Dog & Cat)Motel 6BarkleyNo Bitter Endings CampaignHeineken USABBH USAWash How You Wanna / Meta Messes campaign: “Dog Hair” “Smudges”Take 5 Car Wash – Driven BrandsErich and KallmanEmbrace Your CuriosityMontclair Film FestivalGoodby Silverstein & PartnersDidja KnowJersey Mike’sHighdiveBanana Noodle FruitU.S. BankMcCann DetroitResponsible St. Patrick’s DayJameson WhiskeyOgilvySong Hijack Campaign “Signs” & “Dazzling”StaplesOink Ink RadioKidney Konvos – Spots: “Moving Day,” The Transplant” and “Bodywarming”Donate Life AmericaThe Martin AgencyBroadcast Radio Campaign: Radio Station or GroupCritter CourtPerfection Pest ControlHubbard Radio CincinnatiHer Man CampaignHerrmann ServicesHubbard Radio CincinnatiConfidence Crushers: Stinky Closet, Spread Eagle, Mom BangsByte Invisible Teeth AlignersThe Studio at iHeartMediaFund Your Happy: Butt Lift, Scuba, PontoonHappy MoneyThe Studio at iHeartMediaSummer’s Lame: Badminton, Potato Salad, Tan LinesCamelback Mountain Ski ResortThe Studio at iHeartMediaNot Just a BurgerJust Jeff’sZimmer Radio and Marketing GroupPest-imonialsSteve’s Pest ControlZimmer Radio and Marketing GroupBroadcast Radio Commercial or Campaign for Good: Agency, Production Company or AdvertiserHowlersHowling for WolvesMedia Bridge AdvertisingCell Phone LamentYMCA NorthPreston SpireFLU-ETWyoming Department of HealthSukle Advertising and DesignKidney Konvos – Spots: “Moving Day,” “The Transplant” and “Bodywarming”Donate Life AmericaThe Martin AgencyBroadcast Radio Commercial: Agency, Production Company or AdvertiserBirdsProgressive InsuranceArnold WorldwideEmail DingZulilyBaldwin&Gam GamColorado LotteryCactusAnthemThe Foundation for Individual Rights and ExpressionDeVito/VerdiJust for CarsTake 5 Car Wash – Driven BrandsErich and KallmanGlad Strength: AppThe Clorox Company, Glad ProductsFCB ChicagoGlad Strength: CoffeeThe Clorox Company, Glad ProductsFCB ChicagoNot ListeningLiberty Mutual InsuranceGoodby Silverstein & PartnersImportant QuestionsTwizzlersHershey’sBananaU.S. BankMcCann DetroitFruitU.S. BankMcCann DetroitNoodleU.S. BankMcCann DetroitHoliday LoanFibre Federal Credit UnionPush Button Creative AudioBroadcast Radio Commercial: Radio Station or GroupCall Of The WildCarnival Cruise LinesAudacyHot DatePotbelly Sandwich ShopAudacyPipesTammy’s Smoke ShopMajestic CommunicationsGetawaySeneca LodgeSeven Mountains MediaBadmintonCamelback Mountain Ski ResortThe Studio at iHeartMediaButt LiftHappy MoneyThe Studio at iHeartMediaPontoonHappy MoneyThe Studio at iHeartMediaPotato SaladCamelback Mountain Ski ResortThe Studio at iHeartMediaScubaHappy MoneyThe Studio at iHeartMediaTan LinesCamelback Mountain Ski ResortThe Studio at iHeartMediaThe Earl is Coming!Earl of SandwichTownsquare Media of El PasoNecessary SmoothnessEl Bandido Yankee TequilaWGN Radio 720Broadcast Radio Promotional Spot: Radio Station or Group1010 WINS Moves to 923 FM1010 WINSAudacyKZJK Jack FM Records Presents MetallicaKZJK Jack FMAudacyKRBE Baseball Ticket PromoCumulus Media Houston KRBECUMULUS MEDIAKS95 For Kids 2022 WrapGillette Childrens and Masonic ChildrensHubbard Broadcasting LLCChristmas in JulyThe Drive Radio StationHubbard Radio ChicagoVote for Classic RockThe Drive Radio StationHubbard Radio ChicagoBroadcast Radio PSA: Radio Station or GroupHubbard Broadcasting Cincinnati Mental Health Awareness Month CampaignMercy Health Clermont HospitalHubbard Radio CincinnatiUNLV’s First GraduatePSAKUNVOra Hamel KoreanEverett Police DepartmentSR Broadcasting Inc.,Local Market Broadcast Radio Commercial: Agency, Production Company or AdvertiserName-DroppingGulfshore Bird-A-WayPPKHorse GirlYMCA NorthPreston SpirePillow TalkYMCAPreston SpireLocal Market Broadcast Radio Commercial: Radio Station or GroupEasy to TrustKrasno Krasno &Onwudinjo PhiladelphiaAudacyCheese DaysGreen County WisconsinHubbard Radio ChicagoMarching MennHermann ServicesHubbard Radio CincinnatiCakeIliad Media GroupIliad Media GroupMangy Moose We Suck LessMangy MooseRiverFront BroadcastingFridge PoemAffordable Appliance SolutionsSeven Mountains Media, LLCDr. Bill PromoSteve’s Pest ControlZimmer Radio and Marketing GroupSpring Press ConferenceSteve’s Pest ControlZimmer Radio and Marketing GroupMulti-Platform Campaign with Broadcast Radio: Agency, Production Company, Advertiser, Radio Station or GroupPets Stay Free (Dog & Cat)Motel 6BarkleyCars vs. Babies campaign: “Just for Cars”Take 5 Car Wash – Driven BrandsErich and KallmanCars vs. Babies campaign “To Reiterate”Take 5 Car Wash – Driven BrandsErich and KallmanThe HoldoversChampion Energy ServicesProof AdvertisingBig Machine Music City Grand Prix: Jerry, Karen, LegendBig Machine Music City Grand PrixTwo by FourShort Broadcast Radio Commercial: Agency, Production Company, Advertiser, Radio Station or GroupFeed Your Shakespearean SideCreamette (Winland)Havas ChicagoJaguar Parking SpaceBig Cat RescuePPKStudent-Produced Radio CommercialOvertimeSpeed StickMiami Ad SchoolPass That $#!TFrank’s RedHotMiami Ad SchoolThe First SipKeurig Dr. Pepper Inc.Miami Ad SchoolYogaKraft Mac and CheeseMiami Ad SchoolPulled OverSquatty PottyMiami Ad SchoolUnplug To RechargeUniversity of Texas at ArlingtonUTA Radio.comUse of Humor in a Broadcast Radio Spot: Agency, Production Company, Advertiser, Radio Station or GroupBirdsProgressive InsuranceArnold WorldwideNight Creature EyesBoschBailey LauermanGen ZMotel 6BarkleyPets Stay Free (Dog Spot)Motel 6BarkleyThe No Bitter Endings Break Up SongHeineken USABBH USAThe No Bitter Endings Invasion of TroyHeineken USABBH USAThe No Bitter Endings Olde Timey Radio DramaHeineken USABBH USAStand Up Pirate – Father’s DayBum Rogers CrabhouseBeasley Media GroupCheat – Foreign VOColon Cancer CoalitionBeautifulBeastSheet – Foreign VOColon Cancer CoalitionBeautifulBeastYour Little BuddyTotal Body Therapy of GeorgiaDickey Broadcasting CompanyJust for CarsTake 5 Car Wash – Driven BrandsErich and KallmanNot ListeningLiberty Mutual InsuranceGoodby Silverstein & PartnersFeed Your Shakespearian SideCreamette (Winland)Havas ChicagoKFAI – KFAI Karaoke 02KFAI RadioKFAI Fresh Air RadioResponsible St. Patrick’s Day: Clover ControversiesJameson WhiskeyOgilvyResponsible St. Patrick’s Day: Mirror IssuesJameson WhiskeyOgilvyName-DroppingGulfshore Bird-A-WayPPKFLU-ETWyoming Department of HealthSukle Advertising & DesignBadmintonCamelback Mountain Ski ResortThe Studio at iHeartMediaPotato SaladCamelback Mountain Ski ResortThe Studio at iHeartMediaUse of Songs/Music in a Broadcast Radio Spot or Campaign: Agency, Production Company, Advertiser, Radio Station in GroupInsurance ShantiesProgressive InsuranceArnold WorldwideNo Bitter Endings CampaignHeineken USABBH USASong Hijack DazzlingStaplesOink Ink RadioSong Hijack TacoStaplesOink Ink RadioJingle AhhYMCA NorthPreston SpireThe Pick 4-TetNew Jersey LotteryPureREDFLU-ETWyoming Department of HealthSukle Advertising & DesignButt LiftHappy MoneyThe Studio at iHeartMediaFund Your Happy: Butt Your Lift, Scuba, PontoonHappy MoneyThe Studio at iHeartMediaUse of Sound Design in a Broadcast Radio Spot of Campaign: Agency, Production Company, Radio Station or GroupKnow What’s below_ElectricityPA One CallAudacyNo Bitter Endings CampaignHeineken USABBH USA500X THE CASH – Bungee JumpingThe Florida LotteryPPKJingle AhhYMCA NorthPreston SpireGetawaySeneca LodgeSeven Mountains MediaSymphony of ConnectionAT&TUnited MastersAbout the Radio Mercury AwardsThe Radio Mercury Awards, the only competition exclusively devoted to radio and audio, was established in 1992 to encourage and reward the development of effective and creative radio commercials. The annual Radio Mercury Awards competition draws entries from advertising agencies, production houses, radio stations and educational institutions across the country. Approximately 21,000 commercials have competed in the Radio Mercury Awards and close to $3.5 million in prizes have been awarded over the past 32 years. The Radio Creative Fund (RCF), a nonprofit corporation funded by the radio industry, governs the Radio Mercury Awards. The RAB produces the Radio Mercury Awards.
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com