RAB’s Mike Hulvey with the Best of Show winning team, Highdive and Ogilvy NY’s MacKenzie Hart
Winners of the 2025 Radio Mercury Awards were announced on Thursday (6/5/2025) at the 34th annual awards presentation held at SONY Hall in New York. The awards show was also live streamed, courtesy of Hubbard Radio. This year’s Best of Show award was presented to Highdive Advertising for their “Bike Race (Sub Bowls: No Bread)” radio commercial for their client, Jersey Mike’s.
“This was another great year of celebrating excellence in radio creative,” said Mike Hulvey, president and chief executive officer, RAB and chair of the Radio Creative Fund. “This year’s finalists, and especially the winners reflect the integration of strong storytelling and insightful brand messaging, and the power of the craft and medium.”
“What really stood out to me during this year’s show was the simplicity of the storytelling that drove the messages home,” said Chad Broude, co-founder/co-chief creative officer, Highdive Advertising and Radio Mercury Awards chief judge.
On behalf of the radio industry, this year’s Radio Marketer of the Year award was presented to Verizon. Medha Gandhi, co-host, Elvis Duran and the Morning Show and Shelley Wade, afternoon host, Audacy’s 94.7 The Block NY, honored the group and bestowed the award to Rachel Chan, senior director, media strategy & activation, Verizon. Hulvey noted, “Verizon’s unwavering commitment to radio as a lead channel has made a lasting impact, proving that radio-driven fandom is a successful approach to tap into the passions and behaviors that matter most to their customers.”
The ceremony included the following on-air personalities as the event’s presenters: Medha Gandhi, co-host, Elvis Duran and the Morning Show; Larry Mullins, anchor, Audacy’s 1010WINS Afternoon Drive; Shelley Wade, afternoon host, Audacy’s 94.7 The Block NY and Erik Zachary, host, XYZ with Erik Zachary.
This year’s sponsors included livestream sponsor Hubbard Radio, Beasley Media Group, Bonneville International, Cumulus Media, Katz Radio Group, Nueva Network, Xperi, Audacy, Sound & Fury, World Wide Wadio, iHeartMedia, Nielsen, Skyview Networks, Triton Digital, Urban Radio – Radio One, Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group and Miller Kaplan.
Below is the list of the winning works. To listen to all the winners, click here.
Best of Show
Bike Race (Sub Bowls: No Bread)
Jersey Mike’s
Highdive
Broadcast Radio Campaign: Agency, Advertiser, Production Company
Bold Claim
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Sub Bowls: No Bread
Jersey Mike’s
Highdive
Broadcast Radio Campaign: Radio Station, Group or Network
Almond Milk, Left Side, Johnson
Boost Mobile
iHeartMedia Studio55
Ladder, Typo, YOLO, Bride
Chumba Casino
iHeartMedia Studio55
Multi-Platform Campaign with Broadcast Radio: Agency, Advertiser, Production Company, Radio Station, Group or Network
The Unforgivable Sin
Carlitos Gargel Argentine Steakhouse
Team One
Single Broadcast Radio Promotional Spot: Radio Station, Group or Network
Executive Orders (Legislation MANIA)
WCCO-AM
Audacy Studios
Single Broadcast Radio Spot: Agency, Advertiser, Production Company
Playoffs
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Super Bowl Monday
DUDE Wipes
Curiosity
Single Broadcast Radio Spot: Radio Station, Group or Network
Left Side
Boost Mobile
iHeartMedia Studio55
Single Broadcast Radio Spot for Good: Agency, Advertiser, Production Company, Radio Station, Group or Network
Worst Radio Ad
Mischief @ No Fixed Address
Mischief @ No Fixed Address
Single Locally Produced Broadcast Radio Spot: Agency, Advertiser, Production Company
Lawn Dart Radio – Things That Are Illegal
Old Fourth Distillery
Murder Hornet
Single Locally Produced Broadcast Radio Spot: Radio Station, Group or Network
Ants and Termites Battle Rap
Steve’s Pest Control
Zimmer Communications
Single Spanish-Language Broadcast Radio Spot: Agency, Advertiser, Production Company, Radio Station, Group or Network
Always Home
AT&T
Translation
Streaming Campaign: Agency, Advertiser, Production Company, Audio Company, Radio Station, Group or Network
Lawn Dart Radio Campaign
Old Fourth Distillery
Murder Hornet
Single Streaming Spot: Agency, Advertiser, Production Company, Audio Company, Radio Station, Group or Network
Amelia
Child Rescue Coalition
D&G
Student-Produced Radio Commercial
You’ll Learn So Much
Duolingo
Denver Ad School
Use Of Directing in a Single Broadcast Radio Spot: Agency, Advertiser, Production Company, Radio Station, Group or Network
Country Gentleman
Naskila Casino
Love Advertising
Use Of Humor in a Single Broadcast Radio Spot: Agency, Advertiser, Production Company, Radio Station, Group or Network
Playoffs
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Left Side
Boost Mobile
iHeartMedia Studio55
Use Of Original Songs/Music in a Single Broadcast Radio Spot: Agency, Advertiser, Production Company, Radio Station, Group or Network
Almond Milk
Boost Mobile
iHeartMedia Studio55
Use Of Sound Design in a Single Broadcast Radio Spot: Agency, Advertiser, Production Company, Radio Station, Group or Network
Algorithm
The Minnesota Star Tribune
Colle McVoy