Finalists For 2014 Radio Mercury Awards Announced

157 radio spots and campaigns have made it to the finals of the 2014 Radio Mercury Awards, which honors outstanding radio created by advertising agencies, production companies, radio stations and students.

According to the Radio Advertising Bureau, DDB NY and Clear Channel Media + Entertainment lead this year's entries throughout multiple categories. Publicis Kaplan Thaler and The Richards Group closely follow with multiple nominations. The Radio Marketer of the Year will be awarded to GEICO at the June 4 awards event.

The 2014 finalists incorporate a wide range of small to large advertising agencies and radio stations alike, as well as national and regional advertisers from the automotive, consumer packaged goods, beer, entertainment, fast food, financial services, insurance, telecommunications and retail categories. Entries were judged on their creativity, originality and effective communication of a brand's message.

"This group of finalists all created stories to help develop their client's brand and messaging," noted Matt Eastwood, chief creative officer, DDB NY and Chief Judge for the 2014 Radio Mercury Awards. "We really heard a new level of creative executions specific to what radio does best and that is storytelling."

"Radio continues to be an effective and strategic medium to build brand awareness and drive ROI, no matter the advertiser or marketer," said Erica Farber, president and CEO of the Radio Advertising Bureau. "Not only am I encouraged by the creative use of radio, which is always set at such a high bar, but I am thrilled to see the caliber of radio station produced spots and campaigns shining in this year's competition."

The final round judging panel included Chief Judge Matt Eastwood, chief creative officer, DDB NY; Jill Applebaum, group creative director, JWT NY; Chris Beresford - Hill, executive creative director, BBDO NY; Wayne Best, founder, COG NYC; Pablo Buffagni, chief creative officer, Grupo Gallegos; Jim Elliott, chief creative officer, Y&R NY; Mark Gross, executive vice president / executive creative director, DDB Chicago; Joe Johnson, executive creative director, Publicis, NY; and Jeff Vinick, EVP, Executive Creative Officer, Deutsch NY.

2014 Radio Mercury Awards Finalists: - To listen to this year's finalists: Click Here.