The Radio Mercury Awards has selected its 2026 chief judge for the 35th annual Radio Mercury Awards competition. It is the co-Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of Bandits & Friends, described as “an independently owned, award-winning, business-driven, minority and female-founded full-service creative ad agency that loves a hyphenated descriptor.”
Earning the honor is Danny Gonzalez, who launched Bandits & Bandits in 2022 with partners David Suarez and Courtney Berry.
Since then, the shop has welcomed such brand partners as Schick, The Athletic, Angi, Care, The Weather Company, Show Me Organics and Liberty Mutual.
“From being a Radio Mercury Awards winner to now being named the 2026 chief judge is a real honor to me,” noted Gonzalez. “I am looking forward to working with an incredible final round jury to hear the best of the best that gets entered.”
RAB President/CEO and Radio Creative Fund Chair Mike Hulvey commented, “As we walk into the 35th annual awards we want them to be as celebratory and relevant as always and indicative of radio in all its forms. Danny’s been a great friend to the awards and will do a great job of leading the charge for this year’s event.”
Awards categories for the 35th annual Radio Mercury Awards will be announced in December along with Call for Entry guidelines and deadlines.
— With reporting by Adam Jacobson
