Winners for the 2014 Radio Mercury Awards were announced 6/4 at the 23rd annual awards reception at le Poisson Rouge in NYC. This year’s $50,000 Best of Show award was given to Wieden+Kennedy for their spot, “MomSong” for Old Spice.
“MomSong was the clear choice and the most engaging spot we heard,” noted Matt Eastwood, worldwide chief creative officer, JWT and this year’s chief judge. “All of this year’s winners deserve to be recognized for their inspiring and exceptionally creative spots and campaigns.”
“These winning spots and campaigns are true testaments to radio’s ability to engage consumers, build brands and inspire the next generation of creative minds,” said Erica Farber, RAB CEO and chair of the Radio Creative Fund. “Our mission is to recognize those storytellers who create an audiophoric world and truly capture our hearts and minds.”
Matt Eastwood, JWT and Chief Judge, with Justine Armour, Best of Show Winner W+K, and Erica Farber
This year’s Marketer of the Year Award was presented to GEICO. Bruce Reese, CEO of Hubbard Radio presented this year’s award to Amy Hooks, broadcast marketing manager from GEICO. Erica Farber noted that “their partnership with the radio industry over the past several years to drive key objectives forward by leveraging the medium’s strongest equities has truly set GEICO apart. The unique manner in which GEICO localizes their spots and their commitment to initiatives such as the “Something to Be Proud of” vignettes targeting Federal employees are just a few more of the many examples of their effective, strategic, and creative use of the Radio medium.”
The ceremony was hosted by Eric and Kathy from Hubbard Radio’s 101.9 The Mix in Chicago, and included the following presenters: Jim & Kim from CBS Radio’s Fresh 102.7, Wendy Wild from CCME’s WKTU, DJ Enuff from Emmis Communication’s Hot 97, and Ino Gomez from Univision Radio’s WADO 1280 AM. DJ Whutevva from CCME’s Power 105.1 served as the guest DJ for the night.
In attendance were numerous leaders from the creative and advertising community including the aforementioned Matt Eastwood, DDB NY, Bill Koenigsberg, Kimberly Aiello, Christine Lembo, Melissa Zeoli, Lauren Russo from Horizon Media; Bill Brower, Melissa Halicy, Amy Hooks from GEICO; Brad Higdon, Dean Jarrett, Jackie Davenport from the Martin Agency; Jim Elliott, Y&R NY; Jill Applebaum, JWT NY. Also in attendance were creative teams from the Barbarian Group, Barton F. Graf 9000, BBDO NY, DDB Chicago, DDB NY, Deutsch LA, Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal + Partners, Ogilvy & Mather, Wieden+Kennedy, and Y&R New York.
The winners:
$50,000 Best of Show
Momsong
Old Spice
Wieden+Kennedy
$6,000 Agency/Production Company
F&Easy
Fresh&Easy
Ignited
$3,000 Agency/Production Company
Grandma/Goth
Netflix
Deutsch LA
$1,500 Innovative Use of Radio
Endangered song
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
DDB NY
$3,000 Integrated Radio Campaign
It Can Wait
AT&T
BBDO New York
$3,000 Integrated Radio Campaign
Thoughts
New York Lottery
DDB NY
$3,000 PSA
Learned
AdCouncil
DDB NY
$6,000 Radio Campaign
I’m Sorry, I Was Eating a Milky Way
Mars, Inc. – Milky Way
DDB Chicago
$3,000 Radio Campaign
Netflix Holiday Radio
Netflix
Deutsch LA
$1,500 Radio Promotion of Year
2013 iHeartRadio Music Festival
iHeartRadio
Clear Channel Media + Entertainment
$6,000 Radio Station Produced
Dent
Buy Doors Direct
Clear Channel Creative Services Group
$6,000 Spanish Language Campaign
Wake Up
Pepsico
JWT San Juan
$3,000 Spanish Language
James Bond Ortega
Argentina New Cinema
Conill
$1,500 Student
I’m Going to Die
The Humane Society
Portfolio Center