NEW YORK – June 6, 2024 – Winners of the 2024 Radio Mercury Awards were announced this evening at the 33rd annual awards presentation held at SONY Hall in New York as well as live streamed, courtesy of Hubbard Radio. This year’s Best of Show award was presented to Highdive for their “Got Your Nose” radio commercial for their client, Airheads.
“No surprise, the Radio Mercury Awards continues to be where the best in radio and audio creativity is discovered. As a long-time entrant, sometimes winner, and forever fan, it’s been an honor to serve as chief judge,” said Mitch Bennett, executive creative director of new audio-focused creative agency Guesthouse Audio. “As final-round judges, we laughed, debated, and were inspired that 129 years after Marconi invented this thing, radio can still delight and surprise us.”
“I have been an active fan of the Radio Mercury Awards throughout my broadcasting career, and having the opportunity to experience the judging process reinforced my belief in the awards’ importance in radio and advertising today,” said Mike Hulvey, president and chief executive officer of RAB and the chair for the Radio Creative Fund. “The awards competition truly helps us propel our medium forward.”
On behalf of the radio industry, this year’s Radio Marketer of the Year Award was presented to O’Reilly Auto Parts. New York’s WOR on-air talent Mark Simone bestowed the award to Hugo Sanchez, vice president, marketing & advertising, O’Reilly Auto Parts. Hulvey noted, “O’Reilly Auto Parts is a longtime and committed partner of the radio industry, and we are delighted to honor them with this fitting recognition, especially as they are celebrating 25 years of their iconic ‘OH OH OH O’REIIIILYYYY AUTO PARTS… OWW’ jingle.”
The ceremony included the following on-air personalities as the event’s presenters: Mike Adam from NEW 102.7 in New York City, Errol Barnett from CBS News, Maxwell from 100.3 Z100, iHeartMedia, Mark Simone from WOR 710, iHeartMedia and Shelley Wade, NEW 102.7, Audacy.
This year’s sponsors included dedicated sponsors Audio Milkshake and Beasley Media Group; livestream sponsor Hubbard Radio; participating sponsors Bonneville International, CUMULUS MEDIA | Westwood One, Katz Radio Group, Sound+Fury and Xperi; friends of the Radio Mercury Awards sponsors Audacy, CBS News Radio, Connoisseur Media, Cromwell Media, iHeartMedia, Media Monitors, Mr. Master, Neuhoff Media, Nielsen, Skyview Networks, Triton Digital, Townsquare Media, vCreative, World Wide Wadio and Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group. Radio Mercury Awards Donor sponsors include Benztown and Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co.
Below is the list of the winning works. To listen to all of the winners at tonight’s ceremony, go to www.radiomercuryawards.com.
Best of Show
Got Your Nose Airheads Highdive
Broadcast Radio Campaign: Agency, Production Company or Advertiser
Particular Progressive Insurance Arnold Worldwide
Play It Safe Out There Airheads Highdive
Broadcast Radio Campaign: Radio Station or Group
When You Really Need a Win (Bangs, Nuts, Bus, Oatmilk) Chumba Casino The Studio at iHeartMedia
Broadcast Radio Single Promotional Spot: Radio Station or Group
Up North, You Betcha Cumulus/KQRS/Cragun’s Resort CUMULUS MEDIA
Broadcast Radio Single PSA: Agency, Production Company, Advertiser, Radio Station or Group
Sensible Strumming SAFE Project The Purpose Group
Broadcast Radio Single Spot for Good: Agency, Production Company or Advertiser
Water The CLEO Institute Zubi Advertising
Broadcast Radio Single Spot: Agency, Production Company or Advertiser
No Reward Progressive Insurance Arnold Worldwide
A.S.S.M.R DUDE Wipes Curiosity
Broadcast Radio Single Spot: Radio Station or Group
Food Poisoning Goose Insurance The Studio at iHeartMedia
Epic Bug Battle Rap - Tick Vs Spiders Steve’s Pest Control Zimmer Communications
Local Market Broadcast Radio Single Spot: Agency, Production Company or Advertiser
Pully Downy Thingy YMCA of the North Preston Spire
Local Market Broadcast Radio Single Spot: Radio Station or Group
Decks Are Made for Peeing Kretch’s Custom Exteriors Zimmer Communications
“Mitchie” Award
Hold for Wings Pizza Hut GSD&M
Multi-Platform Campaign with Broadcast Radio: Agency, Production Company, Advertiser, Radio Station or Group
Playable Radio The Ohio Lottery Commission Marcus Thomas LLC
Spanish-Language Single Broadcast Radio Spot: Agency, Production Company, Advertiser, Radio Station or Group
Tantrum Walmart Puerto Rico DDB Latina Puerto Rico
Student-Produced Radio Commercial
Grandma Candy Tootsie Roll Denver Ad School
Use of Emerging Technology in Radio or Audio: Agency, Production Company, Advertiser, Radio Station or Group
Lifesaving Radio NextMed Health Klick Health
Use of Humor in a Single Broadcast Radio Spot: Agency, Production Company, Advertiser, Radio Station or Group
Tacos Progressive Insurance Arnold Worldwide
Made Ya Look Airheads Highdive
Use of Songs/Music in a Single Broadcast Radio Spot: Agency, Production Company, Advertiser, Radio Station or Group
Playable Radio The Ohio Lottery Commission Marcus Thomas LLC
Use of Sound Design in a Single Broadcast Radio Spot: Agency, Production Company, Radio Station or Group
Water The CLEO Institute Zubi 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 32 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.