The Radio Mercury Awards held its 35th annual ceremony Tuesday night at Sony Hall in New York. Progressive Insurance and Arnold Worldwide took home Best of Show honors for “Truckers Unite the World.”
What We Know: The Radio Mercury Awards recognized excellence across broadcast radio, streaming audio, podcasts and integrated audio campaigns. Liberty Mutual Insurance earned the 2026 Radio Marketer of the Year distinction. The award celebrated the brand’s iconic “Liberty, Liberty, Liberty, Liberty” jingle and its sustained commitment to radio advertising. CMO Jenna Lebel accepted the honor on behalf of the company.
What They Said: Chief Judge Danny Gonzalez made clear what separated the best work from the rest. “Great radio creative begins with great writing,” he said. “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.” Gonzalez added that the writing across this year’s entries was sharp, inventive and emotionally resonant.
What Remains Unclear: Details on exactly how many total entries competed this year have not yet been released. It’s also unclear whether Arnold Worldwide’s Progressive campaign will drive broader industry momentum around long-form audio storytelling.
What It Means: Attention fragments daily across countless platforms and screens. The creative side of broadcasting must shine brighter to cut through. These winners don’t just get the job done — they redefine what doing it well looks like.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.
