Winners for the 2012 Radio Mercury Awards were announced Oct. 3 at the 21st annual awards reception at the Highline Ballroom as part of the 2012 Advertising Week Conference in New York. The event was produced by the Radio Advertising Bureau and governed by industry nonprofit the Radio Creative Fund.
2012 Radio Mercury Awards Winners (prize amount):
Grand Prize Best of Show ($50,000): The Most Popular Song — Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, JWT San Juan/Medianet
Prize Agency/Production ($5,000): Too Old — Citibank, Publicis New York
Prize Agency/Production ($2,500): Cock Fight — HBO/Eastbound and Down, BBDO New York
Integrated Radio Campaign ($10,000): The Most Popular Song — Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, JWT San Juan/Medianet
Public Service/Awareness ($5,000): Husband — Mujeres Latinas en Accion, Lapiz
Radio Campaign ($5,000): The Most Interesting Man — Heineken USA Dos Equis, Havas Worldwide New York
Radio Innovation Prize ($5,000): Open Happiness Rollercoaster Record — The Coca-Cola Company, Fitzgerald+Co
Radio Station Produced ($5,000): Shifty Eyes — Oak Park Natural Pet & Fish, WGN–Tribune
Spanish Language ($5,000): Clear Words — P&G/Clearblue, Lapiz
Student Produced ($2,500): The Vow — National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, The Creative Circus
This year’s Best of Show Award was notable because it was the first time a Spanish-language campaign has won the honor, according to the Radio Advertising Bureau.
“This campaign helped reinvent the way clients use radio as an advertising medium, and most importantly found a unique way to directly connect with consumers,” said Bill Ludwig, Chairman and CEO, Campbell Ewald, and Chief Judge for the 2012 Radio Mercury Awards.
“The winning brands showcase the array of radio’s advertisers,” said Erica Farber, president and CEO, Radio Advertising Bureau
This year’s Marketer of the Year Award was presented to Martine Reardon, chief marketing officer for Macy’s by Greg Glenday, president of connections for Clear Channel Media + Entertainment. She was cited as understanding the medium by utilizing radio across multiple channels, from local connections to national outreach via broadcast, digital, social media, live events, personality and artist integration.
The ceremony was hosted by Clear Channel New York’s WAXQ(FM) Rock and Roll Morning Show host Jim Kerr, and also featured appearances by brand personalities including, CBS Radio personalities Ty Bentli, WXRK(FM)’s and Wayne Cabot, WCBS(AM); and Emmis Radio WQHT(FM) personalities, Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds. Clear Channel’s WWPR(FM)’s DJ Whutevva performed as the guest DJ for the night.
