Highdive Takes Top Honor at 2025 Radio Mercury Awards

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 9:07pm CT

Radio Mercury Awards

The 34th annual Radio Mercury Awards celebrated the best in radio advertising Thursday evening at SONY Hall in New York, with Highdive Advertising taking home the coveted Best of Show award for its humorous "Bike Race (Sub Bowls: No Bread)" spot for Jersey Mike's. The awards were also livestreamed, courtesy of Hubbard Radio.

"This was another great year of celebrating excellence in radio creative," said Mike Hulvey, president and CEO of the Radio Advertising Bureau and chair of the Radio Creative Fund. "This year's winners reflect the integration of strong storytelling and insightful brand messaging, and the power of the craft and medium."

Highdive's win came in a night that spotlighted both national and local excellence in audio advertising. Chad Broude, co-founder and co-chief creative officer of Highdive and this year's chief judge, noted, "What really stood out to me during this year's show was the simplicity of the storytelling that drove the messages home."

The Radio Marketer of the Year award was presented to Verizon for its consistent investment in radio as a lead channel. The honor was accepted by Rachel Chan, senior director of media strategy and activation for Verizon, and presented by on-air hosts Medha Gandhi (Elvis Duran and the Morning Show) and Shelley Wade (Audacy's 94.7 The Block NY).

"Verizon's unwavering commitment to radio... proves that radio-driven fandom is a successful approach to tap into the passions and behaviors that matter most to their customers," said Hulvey.

The ceremony featured notable radio hosts as presenters, including Gandhi, Wade, Larry Mullins (Audacy's 1010WINS), and Erik Zachary (XYZ with Erik Zachary). Sponsors included Beasley Media Group, Bonneville International, Cumulus Media, iHeartMedia, Nielsen, Xperi, and others.

Highlights of this year's winners include:

• Broadcast Radio Campaign (Agency): Bold Claim for Progressive Insurance by Arnold Worldwide, and Sub Bowls: No Bread for Jersey Mike's by Highdive

• Broadcast Radio Campaign (Radio Group): iHeartMedia Studio55 for Boost Mobile and Chumba Casino

• Multi-Platform Campaign: The Unforgivable Sin for Carlitos Gargel Argentine Steakhouse by Team One

• Single Spot (Agency): Playoffs for Progressive Insurance by Arnold Worldwide

• Single Spot for Good: Worst Radio Ad by Mischief @ No Fixed Address

• Spanish-Language Spot: Always Home for AT&T by Translation

• Streaming Spot: Amelia for Child Rescue Coalition by D&G

• Student-Produced Commercial: You'll Learn So Much for Duolingo by Denver Ad School

• Use of Sound Design: Algorithm for The Minnesota Star Tribune by Colle McVoy

For a complete list of winners and to hear the winning spots, visit radiomercuryawards.com.