2023 Radio Mercury Awards Finalists Announced

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.

The finalists are:

Broadcast Radio Campaign: Radio Station or Group:

Critter Court
Perfection Pest Control
Hubbard Radio Cincinnati

Her Man Campaign
Herrmann Services
Hubbard Radio Cincinnati

Confidence Crushers: Stinky Closet, Spread Eagle, Mom Bangs
Byte Invisible Teeth Aligners
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Fund Your Happy: Butt Lift, Scuba, Pontoon
Happy Money
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Summer's Lame: Badminton, Potato Salad, Tan Lines
Camelback Mountain Ski Resort
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Not Just a Burger
Just Jeff's
Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group

Pest-imonials
Steve's Pest Control
Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group

Broadcast Radio Commercial: Radio Station or Group

Call Of The Wild
Carnival Cruise Lines
Audacy

Hot Date
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Audacy

Pipes
Tammy's Smoke Shop
Majestic Communications

Getaway
Seneca Lodge
Seven Mountains Media

Badminton
Camelback Mountain Ski Resort
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Butt Lift
Happy Money
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Pontoon
Happy Money
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Potato Salad
Camelback Mountain Ski Resort
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Scuba
Happy Money
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Tan Lines
Camelback Mountain Ski Resort
The Studio at iHeartMedia

The Earl is Coming!
Earl of Sandwich
Townsquare Media of El Paso

Necessary Smoothness
El Bandido Yankee Tequila
WGN Radio Chicago

Broadcast Radio Promotional Spot: Radio Station or Group

1010 WINS Moves to 923 FM
1010 WINS
Audacy

KZJK Jack FM Records Presents Metallica
KZJK Jack FM
Audacy

KRBE Baseball Ticket Promo
Cumulus Media Houston KRBE
Cumulus Media

KS95 For Kids 2022 Wrap
Gillette Childrens and Masonic Childrens
Hubbard Broadcasting LLC

Christmas in July
The Drive Radio Station
Hubbard Radio Chicago

Vote for Classic Rock
The Drive Radio Station
Hubbard Radio Chicago