September 15, 2020 – NEW YORK – 94 radio spots made it to the finals of the 2020 Radio Mercury Awards, which honors outstanding radio, covering 12 awards in nine categories created by advertising agencies, production companies, radio stations, streaming companies and students.
For this year’s show, these spots will serve as a time capsule of work created for 2020. Finalists range from regional to large advertising agencies and radio stations, as well as national and local advertisers. The spots cover categories including automotive, consumer packaged goods, entertainment, government services, healthcare, insurance, quick-serve restaurants, telecommunications, travel and hospitality. This year’s entries were judged on their creativity, originality, execution and effective communication of a brand's message.
"The Radio Mercury Awards continue to inspire me every year, and this year, we curated the best of the best, even during challenging circumstances,” said Robin Fitzgerald, chief creative officer, BBDO Atlanta, and chief judge for the 2020 Radio Mercury Awards. "The pandemic isn’t going to stop creativity. In fact, some of the most remarkable work that came through, embraced what is happening around us, right now.”
"We felt strongly that the Radio Mercury Awards must go on this year," noted Erica Farber, president and CEO of the Radio Advertising Bureau. "This year’s finalists prove that creativity does and can flourish no matter what, and we are so excited to celebrate this year’s work at the virtual awards presentation."
In addition to Chief Judge Fitzgerald, the final round judging panel included: Gary Du Toit, VP, creative director, BBDO New York; Kevin Jones, creative director, Wieden + Kennedy Portland; Zoe Kessler, creative director, Grey New York; John Matejczyk, co-founder, MUH-TAY-ZIK/HOF-FER; Andrés Ordóñez, chief creative officer, FCB Chicago; Alejandro Ortiz, freelance VP and creative director; Sherman Winfield, VP, creative director, Fitzco//McCann Atlanta.
2020 Radio Mercury Awards finalists – To listen to this year's finalists, click
here.
Best Creative Radio Spot - General Market, Agency/Production Company/Advertiser-Produced
Commercial Chicken: Grammar
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Daa Tadaa: Birthdaa
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Daa Tadaa: Zaaa
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Sounds of the Old World: Restaurant
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
HEY
Chevrolet Apple - Sport
Dieste
OMG
Chevrolet Apple - Sport
Dieste
Sometimes
Pittsburgh Guitars
Garrison Hughes
Pat’s Other Jobs
Wheel of Fortune
Oink Ink Radio
Helmet Hair
GEICO
The Martin Agency
Motel 6 Feet Apart
Motel 6
The Richards Group
Socially Distanced
Motel 6
The Richards Group
In these uncertain times. Not!
Miller Chevrolet
Yamanair Creative Worldwide
Best Creative Radio Spot- General Market, Radio Station/Group-Produced
Disco Colonoscopy
Kansas Medical Clinic
Alpha Media
Larry
Aquacide - Cumulus Media/KQES
Cumulus Media
Bobs Bad Day
Mr. Coffee Bean
Entercom
Noble Way: BBQ Disaster Master
Noble Way Pest Control
Entercom
Noble Way: Know Your Bugs Game Show
Noble Way Pest Control
Entercom
Get Twisted
Twisted Sisters Cupcakes
Entercom Virginia Beach
Nuke Plant-Free Cone
Dairy Queen
Entercom Virginia Beach
Chinchilla
Absolute Roofing
iHeartMedia Creative Studio
Hunger Hotline
Dash In
iHeartMedia Creative Studio
Recliner
Absolute Roofing
iHeartMedia Creative Studio
Well Done
Schweid and Sons
iHeartMedia Creative
They Handle It
Black Diamond Pest Control
Kensington Digital Media
Best Creative Radio Spot - Nongeneral Market, Agency/Production Company/Advertiser/Radio Station/Radio Group-Produced
MULETA
Covered California
Casanova//McCann
YESO
Covered California
Casanova//McCann
Kennedy / Castro
Kia Motors Puerto Rico
DDB Latina Puerto Rico
Best Brand Action Spot
HEY
Chevrolet Apple - Sport
Dieste
LOL
Chevrolet Apple - Sport
Dieste
Extra Dedications
Extra Gum, Mars Inc.
Energy BBDO
Best Spot for a Cause - Agency/Production Company-Produced
Whatever Gets You Talking
Seize the Awkward
The Ad Council
How to Play Soccer
The Aspen Institute’s Project Play
Arnold Worldwide
How to Play Tennis
The Aspen Institute’s Project Play
Arnold Worldwide
Do Your Part
The Partnership for New York City
DeVito/Verdi
The Missing Truth
Big Cat Rescue
PPK
Tiger Cub Petting Truth
Big Cat Rescue
PPK
Fermata
Dallas Winds
The Richards Group
Hand Wash Hero
The Ad Council
Wordsworth+Booth
Best Spot for a Cause - Radio Station/Group-Produced
Healthcare Heroes
Massachusetts General Hospital
98.5 The Sports Hub
KSPN COVID-19 PSA
KSPN Radio and Pitkin County Public Health
Always Mountain Time – KSPN
TAKE ON RACE SALUTE TO BLACK MUSIC MONTH
P&G
AMERICAN URBAN RADIO NETWORKS
2020 Census – Kindergarten Principal
Conway County Economic Development Corporation
EAB of Morrilton, LLC
U=U
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Entercom
Mix Mic/Thank You First Responders
101.9 The Mix (WTMX-FM)
Hubbard Radio
Unity
Jacksonville Radio
Jacksonville Radio
Saint Motel COVID PSA
Lightning 100 In-House PSA
Lightning 100
Black Voices of Humboldt County #2
In-House PSA
Lost Coast Communications Inc.
Best Use of Humor in a Spot
Bad Reviews: Bad Boutique
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Daa Tadaa: Birthdaa
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Daa Tadaa: Zaaa
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Sounds of the Old World: Restaurant
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Easy
Georgia Lottery
BBDO Atlanta
Auto Tune
Mars Chocolate North America / Snickers
BBDO New York
Your Cousin from Boston
Sam Adams
Goodby Silverstein & Partners
Wicked Wrenches Mommy :30
Wicked Wrenches
Haugo Broadcasting
Avocado
Schweid and Sons
iHeartMedia Creative Studio
Chinchilla
Absolute Roofing
iHeartMedia Creative Studio
Well Done
Schweid and Sons
iHeartMedia Creative Studio
Couple
Jeopardy
Oink Ink Radio
New Jersey Lottery Big Voices
Northstar New Jersey Lottery Group
PureRed
Socially Distanced
Motel 6
The Richards Group
In these uncertain times. Not!
Miller Chevrolet
Yamanair Creative Worldwide
Best DIY Radio Spot
Never Gonna Give You Up
Tide
Pickle Music Studios
It Is Okay
Colorado Broadcasters Association
Sukle Advertising
It’s Hard
Colorado Broadcasters Association
Sukle Advertising
Best Use of Audio
ShopRite Paperbird “Bathroom Mirror” :30
ShopRite
Barkley
The Mayor’s Minute Podcast
Sponsored by Bank Independent
Big River Broadcasting
George Floyd Tribute
Hubbard Broadcasting LLC
From This Stream Forward
Lightning 100 In-House Promotion
Lightning 100
Radio Recliner
Bridge Senior Living
Luckie
Teacher Time
Louise Neuhoff Educational Access Project
Neuhoff Media
Floored
Stella Artois
Pereira O’Dell
Best Use of Sound/Music
Whatever Gets You Talking
Seize the Awkward
The Ad Council
Happy Birthday
The Florida Aquarium
Dunn&Co.
Sometimes
Pittsburgh Guitars
Garrison Hughes
After Every Flush
P&G Febreze
Grey Midwest
Distracted
iHeartRadio App
iHeartMedia Creative Studio
Hunger Hotline
Dash In
iHeartMedia Creative Studio
Never Gonna Give You Up
Tide
Pickle Music Studios
Oops
Tide
Pickle Music Studios
No Power Blues
Sorlien Electric
Results Radio – Townsquare Media
PNW Meatheads FULL JINGLE
PNW Meatheads BBQ
Washington Interstate Broadcasting
Best Radio Station/Group Promotional Spot
Word Out
FM 100 KSFI
Bonneville Radio
KGLK Commercial Free Healthcare Heroes Weekend
Cox Media Group
Cox Media Group
We Don’t Want To See Your Face
Cumulus Media/KQRS
Cumulus Media
KISW Memorial Day Weekend Safety Tips
KISW
Entercom
Through It All
WTMJ Radio
Good Karma Brands
Papa John’s Pizza Send the Love Promo
Papa John’s
Hubbard Radio Cincinnati
Best Student Radio Script
Careless Whisper
Florida International University
Maria Diaz
Healthcare Workers Read Posts
Miami Ad School
Katarina Marquez
Face Sign
The Creative Circus
Ellen McMahon
Grandpa Goes Grocery Shopping
Miami Ad School Europe
Patrick Chase
Movie Trailer Narrator
Miami Ad School Europe
Shadab Wajih
Baseball Press Room :30
The Creative Circus
Erin Ryan
About the Radio Mercury Awards
The Radio Mercury Awards, the only competition exclusively devoted to radio, 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 20,000 commercials have competed for close to $3.5 million in prizes. The Radio Creative Fund (RCF), a nonprofit corporation funded by the radio industry, governs the Radio Mercury Awards. The Radio Advertising Bureau produces the Radio Mercury Awards.
Media Contact:
Madison Wright
212-681-7215
