Radio Mercury Awards Announces 2026 Finalists
Arnold Worldwide, Audacy Studios and iHeartMedia Studio55
Lead the Way as Finalist Front Runners
NEW YORK — May 5, 2026 — The Radio Mercury Awards, produced by RAB, today announced the finalists for the 2026 competition, recognizing the year’s most creative and effective radio and audio advertising.
Now in its 35th year, the Radio Mercury Awards honors outstanding creative work that showcases the power of sound to connect with audiences and build brands across broadcast radio, streaming audio, podcasts and other audio platforms.
Finalists were selected by a panel of leading creatives from across the advertising industry. This year’s competition is led by Chief Judge Danny Gonzalez, co-chief creative officer and co-founder of Bandits & Friends.
“Serving as chief judge for the Radio Mercury Awards is a true honor,” said Gonzalez. “The work this year captures the current zeitgeist of audio — a medium that is increasingly personal, culturally fluent and creatively fearless. The best pieces don’t just communicate a message; they create a moment, reflecting how audiences engage with sound in their everyday lives.”
“At its core, the Radio Mercury Awards celebrates the creative spirit that fuels the industry,” said Mike Hulvey, RAB president and CEO. “The work honored each year continues to be a beacon for radio and audio — showcasing the medium’s unique ability to engage, inspire and deliver impact for brands.”
In addition to Chief Judge Danny Gonzalez, the final round jury included Scott Bell, chief creative officer, BBDO New York; Jason Campbell, freelance chief creative officer, Los Angeles; Kasia Canning, ECD, Special/New York; Rolo Cordova, Founder & CCO L&C; MacKenzie Hart, associate creative director, Le Pub New York; Flor Leibaschoff, co-founder and chief creative officer, BeautifulBeast; Kevin Mulroy, executive creative director and founding partner, Mischief @ No Fixed Address; Ben Pfutzenreuter, executive creative director, BarkleyOKRP; and Lisa Topol, chief creative officer and managing partner, Oberland.
Sponsors to date include Audacy, Auditory FX, Bonneville International, Cox Media Group, Hubbard Radio, iHeartRadio, Katz Radio Group, Nielsen, Skyview Networks, Urban One, Xperi and Zimmer Radio & Marketing Group. For information on sponsorship opportunities, email RABSales@rab.com.
The Radio Mercury Awards winners will be presented on Wednesday, June 3, at SONY Hall in New York City. This year’s show will be hosted by nationally syndicated iHeartRadio radio personality Angela Yee, host of her own show ‘Way Up with Angela Yee.’
For more information, go to www.radiomercuryawards.com.
Single Spot: Promotional - Radio Station/Group/Network
Inside the Manor
WBZZ
Audacy Studios
Deep State Fair
WCCO
Audacy Studios
24K Magic Trip Bruno in Vegas
WREW
Hubbard Radio Cincinnati
Swampazookeedooks
iHeartMedia
IHeartMedia Studio 55
It’s Nifty
WHMI
Krol Communications
Ozem-PIG
WHQG
Milwaukee Media Group
Single Spot: Locally Produced - Radio Station/Group/Network
250 Years
PA One Call
Audacy Studios
Termite Superhero
Breda Pest Management
Cox Media Group
Berries
Towne and Country Animal Hospital
Krol Communications
Neighbor
Yutka Fence
Milwaukee Media Group
Big Deck
McComis Properties
Seven Mountains Media, LLC
Play It or Plunge It
Brian Wear Plumbing
Zimmer Communications
Watch Football on Your Deck
Kretch’s Custom Exteriors
Zimmer Communications
Single Spot: Radio Station/Group/Network
Mission Impossible
PA One Call
Audacy Studios
Chumba 4 Group Chat
Chumba Casino
iHeartMedia Studio55
Computer
Impossible Foods
iHeartMedia Studio55
Galahad
Virgin Voyages
iHeartMedia Studio55
Kaitlyn Imani Whitaker
Virgin Voyages
iHeartMedia Studio55
Macklin George Winchester
Virgin Voyages
iHeartMedia Studio55
Television
Impossible Foods
iHeartMedia Studio55
End of the World
Mulligan’s
Momentum Broadcasting
Big Deck
McComis Properties
Seven Mountains Media, LLC
Campaign: Radio Station/Group Network
Mile High Club Campaign
Mile High Honda
Audacy Studios
PA One Call 2026 Campaign
PA One Call
Audacy Studios
Chumba Horoscopes
Chumba Casino
iHeartMedia Studio55
Eulogies
Uline
iHeartMedia Studio55
Famous Virgins
Virgin Voyages
iHeartMedia Studio55
Impossible Future Campaign
Impossible Foods
iHeartMedia Studio55
Kid-Free Sailing
Virgin Voyages
iHeartMedia Studio55
Play It or Plunge It
Brian Wear Plumbing
Zimmer Communications
Student-Produced Script
Leading Causes of Death
Radio Mercury Awards
Bluegrass Community & Technical College
Be Heard, Not Seen
Radio Mercury Awards
University of Kentucky
Dust Off Your Ideas
Radio Mercury Awards
University of Kentucky
Love Radio
Radio Mercury Awards
University of Kentucky
Radio Award Creativity
Radio Mercury Awards
University of Kentucky
Radiosaurus Rex
Radio Mercury Awards
University of Kentucky
Single Spot: PSA/Purpose Driven – Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser, Radio Station/Group/Network
Impaired Driving Alcohol
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Benztown
Child Rescue Coalition: Letters from a Predator
Child Rescue Coalition
D&G
Guaranteed Human
iHeartMedia
IHeartMedia Studio55
Are You High Right Now?
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The Ad Council
Because of You
American Indian College Fund
Vladimir Jones
Single Spot: Locally Produced – Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser
All-Powerful Winner
Naskila Casino
Love Advertising
Minds in the Gutter
All Seamless Rain Gutters
PPK
Harmony
Crazy Water
TRG
Single Spot: Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser
I Bet I Will Survive
Hard Rock Bet
72andSunny
Save The Everyday: Juan vs. Baby
Amazon
Amazon
Save The Everyday: Laura vs. Fruit Flies
Amazon
Amazon
Bench Press
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Invested
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Snakes
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Bird Call
Marathon
Betty
Flavorsonic Synthesizer
Dr Pepper
Deutsch
Breakdancing Grandma
BMW
Goodby, Silverstein & Partners
You Must Love Dogs
New York Lottery
McCann New York
Imperfect
SelectQuote
Oink Ink Radio
Passport Germany
Central Market
Plot Twist Creativity
Tito’s Summer Ad
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Push Button Creative Audio
Campaign: Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser
Bad Team Protection
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Treat Yourself
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Truckers Unite the World
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Duke’s Country Song
Duke’s Mayo
Familiar Creatures
Imagine
Kimberly-Clark, Huggies
Mischief @ No Fixed Address
Facility Heroes
Staples Business
Oink Ink Radio
Really Into Food
Central Market
Plot Twist Creativity
The Second-Best Pizza Thing
Frito-Lay, Cheeto's Cheese Pizza Puffs
Studio Resonate, SXM Media
Single Spot: Spanish-Language - Agency/Production Company/ Audio Company/Advertiser
A Welcome Departure from Normal
Massport
A&G
Insulin-Free Song
Avocados from Mexico
BeautifulBeast
Wish List
Children’s Health Foundation
BeautifulBeast
Connect Like You’re Home – The Tour Guide 1
AT&T
Translation
Connect Like You’re Home – The Tour Guide 2
AT&T
Translation
Multi-Platform Campaign: Agency/Production Company/ Audio Company/Advertiser
It’s The Dog Park
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
You Are Not Your Parents, With Dr. Rick
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Corridos Rescue Corridos
The Translatina Coalitio - LGBTQ Center OC - Universal Music Publishing Group - D'Luna Music
Casanova McCann
Use of Radio / Audio Technology (Single Work): Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser
Stay Awake Audio
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Bandits & Friends
Half Speed Radio
Rinse
Bandits & Friends
Insulin-Free Song
Avocados From Mexico
BeautifulBeast
Breakdancing Grandma
BMW
Goodby, Silverstein & Partners
Clean Time
Staples Business
Oink Ink Radio
Facility Heroes No Jams
Staples Business
Oink Ink Radio
Use of Humor (Single Spot): Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser, Radio Station/Group/Network
I Bet I Will Survive
Hard Rock Bet
72andSunny
Save The Everyday: Juan vs. Baby
Amazon
Amazon
Save The Everyday: Laura vs. Fruit Flies
Amazon
Amazon
Bench Press
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
French Press
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Invested
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Snakes
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Outage Country Song
PA One Call
Audacy Studios
Breakdancing Grandma
BMW
Goodby, Silverstein & Partners
Computer
Impossible Foods
iHeartMedia Studio55
Impossible Avocado
Impossible Foods
iHeartMedia Studio55
Hudson Michael Holloway
Virgin Voyages
iHeartMedia Studio55
Kaitlyn Imani Whitaker
Virgin Voyages
iHeartMedia Studio55
Macklin George Winchester
Virgin Voyages
iHeartMedia Studio55
Berries
Towne and Country Animal Hospital
Krol Communications
Big Deck
McComis Properties
Seven Mountains Media, LLC
Harmony
Crazy Water
TRG
Sexy Furnace
D Rohde Plumbing and Heating
WKZE Radio
Use of Directing & Performance (Single Spot): Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser, Radio Station/Group/Network
Save The Everyday: Jeff vs. Taco Truck Salsa
Amazon
Amazon
Save The Everyday: Laura vs. Fruit Flies
Amazon
Amazon
Small Business Surprises
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Duke’s Country Song
Duke’s Mayo
Familiar Creatures
Newton
Virgin Voyages
IHeartMedia Studio55
Whistling
SportsClips
Preacher
Use of Songs or Music Use (Single Spot): Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser, Radio Station/Group/Network
I Bet I Will Survive
Hard Rock Bet
72andSunny
Insulin-Free Song
Avocados From Mexico
BeautifulBeast
Duke’s Country Song
Duke’s Mayo
Familiar Creatures
Impossible Avocado
Impossible Foods
IHeartMedia Studio55
Impossible CAPTCHA
Impossible Foods
IHeartMedia Studio55
Impossible Lids
Impossible Foods
IHeartMedia Studio55
Play It or Plunge it
Brian Wear Plumbing
Zimmer Communications
Use of Sound Design (Single Spot): Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser, Radio Station/Group/Network
Stay Awake Audio
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Bandits & Friends
Wake Up Radio
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Bandits & Friends
All-Powerful Winner
Naskila Casino
Love Advertising
About the Radio Mercury Awards
The 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 33 years. The Radio Creative Fund (RCF), a nonprofit corporation funded by the radio industry, governs the Radio Mercury Awards. RAB produces the Radio Mercury Awards.
Media Contact
press@rab.com
mercury@rab.com
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