O’Reilly Auto Parts Recognized as Radio Marketer of the Year

Winners of the 2024 Radio Mercury Awards were announced Thursday 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.”

Mark Simone and Hugo Sanchez

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.

To listen to all of the winners, go to www.radiomercuryawards.com.