NEW YORK — The 2026 Radio Mercury Awards have been presented, with a 35th annual awards presentation held at Sony Hall in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday night. The top honor — a “Best in Show” accolade — was awarded for the advertising creative with the theme “Truckers Unite The World.”
The RAB‘s Radio Mercury Awards are a creative competition dedicated exclusively to radio and audio, “honoring work that demonstrates the power of sound to move audiences, build brands and inspire creative innovation across the marketing landscape.”
Mike Hulvey, the RAB’s President/CEO and Chair of the Radio Creative Fund, commented, “For 35 years, the Radio Mercury Awards have showcased the very best our industry has to offer — bold ideas, exceptional craft and creative work that proves the enduring ability of sound to connect with audiences in authentic, memorable ways. This year’s finalists and winners represent the very best in audio creativity.”
The 2026 competition was led by Chief Judge Danny Gonzalez, co-founder and co-chief creative officer of Bandits & Friends. “This year’s judges were incredibly impressed by the caliber of the work,” he said. “Across categories, the creativity was sharp, inventive and emotionally resonant, but what consistently stood apart was the writing — the craft of turning an idea into language that connects, compels and delivers. Great radio creative begins with great writing. It’s the foundation that gives sound its power, and it’s ultimately what made it clear to our final-round jury which work deserved to rise above the rest and earn Best of Show.”
In addition to honoring outstanding creative achievement, Liberty Mutual Insurance was recognized as the 2026 Radio Marketer of the Year, celebrating the company’s sustained commitment to radio as a lead advertising medium and its creation of one of advertising’s most iconic sonic brand assets.
Nationally syndicated personality and host Angela Yee presented the “Radio Marketer of the Year” award to Liberty Mutual CMO Jenna Lebel.
Along with Yee, additional presenters included on-air personalities Shelley Wade, afternoon host of Audacy’s WXBK-FM in New York; Skyview Networks’ syndicated late afternoon host Erik Zachary; and Anna Zap, co-host of Connoisseur Media’s nationally syndicated offering The Anna and Raven Show.
2026 Radio Mercury Awards Winners
Best of Show
Truckers Unite the World
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Single Spot: Promotional – Radio Station/Group/Network
WCCO_Deep State Fair
WCCO
Audacy Studios
Single Spot: Promotional – Radio Station/Group/Network
Swampazookeedooks
iHeartMedia
iHeartMedia Studio55
Single Spot: Locally Produced – Radio Station/Group/Network
Neighbor
Yutka Fence
Milwaukee Media Group
Single Spot: Radio Station/Group/Network
Kaitlyn Imani Whitaker
Virgin Voyages
iHeartMedia Studio55
Single Spot: Radio Station/Group/Network
Mulligan’s
End of the World
Momentum Broadcasting
Campaign: Radio Station/Group/Network
Kid Free Sailing
Virgin Voyages
iHeartMedia Studio55
Campaign: Radio Station/Group/Network
Play It or Plunge It
Brian Wear Plumbing
Zimmer Communications
Student-Produced Script
Love Radio
Mercury Radio Awards
University of Kentucky
Single Spot: PSA/Purpose-Driven – Agency/Production Company/ Audio Company/Advertiser, Radio Station/Group/Network
Child Rescue Coalition: Letters from a Predator
Child Rescue Coalition
D&G
Single Spot: Locally Produced – Agency/Production Company/ Audio Company/Advertiser
All-Powerful Winner
Naskila Casino
Love Advertising
Single Spot: Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser
Bench Press
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Single Spot: Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser
Save the Everyday: Laura vs. Fruit Flies
Amazon
Amazon XCM
Campaign: Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser
Bad Team Protection
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Campaign: Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser
Imagine
Kimberly-Clark – Huggies
Mischief @ No Fixed Address
Single Spot: Spanish-Language – Agency/Production Company/ Audio Company/Advertiser
Insulin-Free Song
Avocados from Mexico
BeautifulBeast
Multi-Platform Campaign: Agency/Production Company/ Audio Company/Advertiser
It’s The Dog Park
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Use of Radio/Audio Technology (Single Work): Agency/Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser
Half Speed Radio
Rinse
Bandits & Friends
Use of Humor (Single Spot): Agency/Production Company/ Audio Company/Advertiser, Radio Station/Group/Network
Save The Everyday: Laura vs. Fruit Flies
Amazon
Amazon XCM
Use of Humor (Single Spot): Agency/Production Company/ Audio Company/Advertiser, Radio Station/Group/Network
French Press
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide
Use of Directing & Performance (Single Spot): Agency/ Production Company/Audio Company/Advertiser, Radio Station/ Group/Network
Duke’s Country Song
Duke’s Mayo
Familiar Creatures
Use of Songs or Music Use (Single Spot): Agency/Production Company/ Audio Company/Advertiser, Radio Station/Group/Network
Insulin-Free Song
Avocados from Mexico
BeautifulBeast
Use of Sound Design (Single Spot): Agency/Production Company/ Audio Company/Advertiser, Radio Station/Group/Network
Stay Awake Audio
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Bandits & Friends
To hear the winning work, visit Radio Mercury Awards.
