Graduations have begun, as have weddings. Festivities and gatherings are in full swing. As is the case with many events like these, jewelry of some sort is given to mark the occasion.
According to the recent jobs report, 428,000 jobs were added, and the unemployment rate remains unchanged at 3.6%. The good news is that 95% of the jobs that were lost during the pandemic are now recovered.
Are we still looking at the Great Resignation or is it instead a great reset?
Shopping habits have changed. Consumer expectations of the brands they purchase and where they purchase them have shifted dramatically. These changes will continue to impact retailers everywhere from Main Street to Broadway. Retailers of all sizes are constantly trying to navigate these changes, so it is important to understand the values of today’s shoppers.
By now, we should all be familiar with branded content on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Ticket giveaways, opportunities to meet well-known radio personalities, gift cards to favorite local restaurants and many more are now offered by radio stations through both live broadcasts and affiliated social media accounts, which are “presented by” a sponsor.
Of course, these giveaways are great for listeners, as they can seize an opportunity to see their favorite local or even national artist perform on stage or treat their family to a nice meal. But did you know how effective these partnerships are for the radio stations and advertisers themselves on social media?
Author: Victor Texcucano, Content Coordinator, RAB
The world of technology advances every day, and it sure is getting interesting. We now have 8K smart televisions with more than 33 million pixels, smart home speakers that let you hear local, national and global news with a mere voice command and even internet-connected thermostats that can be controlled from smartphone applications. Today’s technology is truly transforming our living spaces into smarter, more helpful environments.
Author: Madison Wright, Associate Producer, Radio Mercury Awards
Since their inception, the Radio Mercury Awards have honored the best in radio creative and have brought together agencies, productions companies, advertisers and radio broadcasters, all to celebrate radio.
On Wednesday, November 17, the awards, produced by RAB, brought the celebration event to wherever viewers were watching – at home, in their offices, with family or with colleagues, all to celebrate the power of radio and the future of audio creative.
Here are four key takeaways from this year’s awards:
Radio and audio continue to be front and center in an advertisers’ media mix. The robust number of entries this year exceeding the previous few years reflects this trend.
The caliber of work submitted in this year’s competition so engaged and engrossed the final round jury that it took nearly two full days to deliberate and determine the winning work. Thus, showing that the art of radio creative continues to grow and evolve.
2021 celebrates the 15 winners and is now woven into the rich history of the Radio Mercury Awards. Want to hear more? We encourage you watch the full, encore viewing of the show here.
Alejandro Ortiz, executive creative director, Campbell Ewald Detroit/NY, will be serving as the 2022 Radio Mercury Awards chief judge.
“I’m super excited, I have a lot of history with these awards… this is an amazing festival and the quality of work that comes in every year is incredible. I am really looking forward to seeing what everyone comes with.”
Stay tuned for more information regarding 2022 Call for Entry. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Be sure to subscribe to the Radio Mercury Awards mailing list here.
While TV’s upfronts season traditionally takes place in May, the radio industry’s upfronts season takes place in September and into October. Upfronts are a chance for radio – on a national, regional, or local level – to secure business for the duration of the following calendar year. This benefits radio by securing committed ad dollars well in advance. It also benefits advertisers by allowing them to see what new shows, content or event opportunities a cluster, station, radio group, or network has planned for the upcoming year. In addition, upfronts allow brands and agencies to strategically plan their advertising dollars, book ads at scale, access premium inventory and secure efficient pricing. It’s a win-win opportunity for all.
Author: Madison Wright, Associate Producer, Radio Mercury Awards
For the past 30 years, radio broadcasters, agencies and advertisers have entered their creative work into the Radio Mercury Awards. Produced by the Radio Advertising Bureau, it is the only awards competition that exclusively honors creativity in radio and audio since its creation in 1992. Around 20,000 commercials have competed for close to $3.5 million in prizes.
When reflecting upon the Radio Mercury Awards, especially during this special anniversary, two things come to mind – the rich heritage of the awards show and how they continue to matter to the creative community as the medium continues to evolve.
While there have been many shifts in consumer behaviors, many consumer preferences remain unchanged. If there is one thing that the pandemic has proven, it is that personal connections matter.
Engagement. Local. Heart. Soul. Creativity. Partnerships. Those were words that resonated across the various sessions and events that took place during Radio Week.
From Oct. 5 – 9, CEOs, managers, sellers, radio personalities and some the brightest creative directors participated in two of radio’s biggest events – Radio Show and the Radio Mercury Awards.
As states are in various phases of reopening, consumers find themselves in various stages of their own phases. These phases continue to shift and change the behaviors that had once been routine to so many. In order to meet the challenges, needs and concerns of their customers, businesses will need to be nimble to best address and meet their customers’ expectations.
Radio has long been known as a deeply personal, trusted and supportive partner for consumers, communities, and companies of all stripes. Fostering unity is part of the DNA of the more than 15,000 radio stations across the country. It is the spirit of radio.
In a recent study of 168 COVID-19-related Radio ads measured by Advertising Benchmark Index (ABX) since March 4, advertising effectiveness scores were amazingly high. Radio spots featuring thanks to first responders, helpful advice to listeners regarding resisting the virus and conveying a serious tone in their announcements all did well. Below is a look at how Radio is performing right now, including a close look at five of the top ten COVID-19 spots, showing how effective Radio can be during a time of crisis.
Anything is possible on radio. You can hear a singing garbage bag, a hamburger rap song or something that sounds like a bull elk. What you hear on the radio can also make you laugh, gasp or cry.
Yes, anything is possible on radio and that’s what attendees heard on June 6 at the 2019 Radio Mercury Awards, held at SONY HALL in New York.Continue reading “Here’s What RADIO Stands For”
Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe that another year has gone by. Right now all of us are working toward our resolutions for 2019 — both personal and professional — as well as remembering the numerous highlights of 2018.
In today’s social world, consumers will connect, engage and follow brands that reflect their mindset and lifestyle. It’s one of the biggest challenges that brands have today. Developing that connection begins first with brand awareness or exposure. Numerous advertisers have successfully used radio to do just that – drive brand awareness and influence purchase intent. Nielsen studies have pointed to the important role radio plays in the effectiveness of any campaign. Also, one look at any of the Radio Mercury Award winners proves the impact and success that brands can experience.
During the 2018 Radio Show, the overarching theme was about data – demystifying it, understanding where to get and how to use it as well as the opportunities it can create.
In addition, throughout the Radio Show, there was a secondary message: Radio is a strong and nimble medium that continues to evolve, to not only meet but exceed the demands and expectations of its listeners and advertising partners.
One of radio’s biggest creative challenges has been the disclaimers that are mandatory for commercials of specific ad categories. The long list of rates, money down, and other qualifiers once considered audio noise contained within auto ads may in fact be influential for those consumers who are in the market to purchase/lease a vehicle. Based upon a recent analysis of auto dealer ads, these along with additional findings can be a game changer for increased revenue opportunities for radio.
Unique. Funny. Innovative. Moving. Inspiring. Game Changing. Those were just some of the words used by judges to describe the winning spots of the Radio Mercury Awards.
On May 31st, some of the best creative minds across the country gathered at The Cutting Room in NYC to encourage, reward and celebrate great radio commercials at the Radio Mercury Awards ceremony.
In this episode, Erica Farber, President and CEO of the RAB, speaks with Jeffrey Hedquist. Jeffrey is known as “advertising’s storyteller.” He is a commercial creator who has won hundreds of advertising awards and works directly with advertisers, agencies and radio stations.
An advocate for advertisers, he believes strongly in using the power of storytelling to help tell the advertisers message. His message to radio is to not write commercials but to create stories that engage the listener. More importantly, stories that engage the listeners are stories about the listeners.