2012 Radio Mercury Awards - Call For Entries

The 2012 Radio Mercury Awards competition is officially underway. 

Campbell-Ewald CEO Bill Ludwig was today named the head judge of this year's crop of commercial entries. 

Ludwig was profiled in the 11/7/11 issue of RadioINK magazine, where he said,

I come from a writing background, so radio has always been near and dear to my heart.  The reason...I love radio so much, is that I think radio can be the most powerful interactive medium out there.  The sights, the sounds, the characters all come to life through and interact with your imagination.  ... I think radio can be one of the most powerful ways to demonstrate the relevance of the product in the consumers' lives.  

Among my favorite radio campaigns produced in recent years has been Campbell-Ewald's work for OnStar, real stories told through real calls by real people. 

In addition to the traditional categories (of which Radio Station Produced is most relevant to us), there's a new category this year, RADIO INNOVATION.  From the RMA website:

Submit ahead-of-the-curve, groundbreaking, out-of-the-box, pioneering, revolutionary radio work. Entries should deviate from the norm and demonstrate the most creative and innovative use of the radio medium to convey a message for a brand, cause or public service effort. Examples of submissions run the gamut – truly anything except the “ordinary” goes as judges will be listening for standout creative and execution. Entries can be in English, Spanish or a combination of both.

It appears that the $100,000 Grand Prize has gone away, replaced by a $50,000 "Best of Show" Award. According to the Mercury website, the 2012 prizes to be awarded are as follows:

• $50,000 Best of Show
• $10,000 Integrated Radio Campaign
• $5,000 Radio Campaign
• New $5,000 Radio Innovation
• $5,000 Single Agency/Production Company Commercial
• $2,500 Single Agency/Production Company Commercial
• $5,000 Single Public Service Announcement/Awareness Spot
• $5,000 Single Radio Station Produced Commercial
• $5,000 Single Spanish Language Commercial
• $2,500 Single Student Produced Commercial

Fees are as follows, for entries made through March 31, 2012 (late entries will be permitted through July 9, 2012 at a higher fee):

• Radio Campaign: $350 per entry
• Integrated Radio Campaign: $450 per entry
• Single Agency, Radio Station Produced, Spanish Language Commercial categories: $150 per entry
• Single Public Service Announcement/Awareness Spot category: $150 per entry
• New Radio Innovation category: $150 per entry
• Single Student Produced Commercial: $50 per entry

Best wishes for your success to any and all Radio Sales Cafe members who will be entering the Radio Mercury Awards this year!