first round judges
This gifted group of creative professionals represent the collective force that gives life to today's best radio and media creative. We are honored that they bring their talents and insights to the 2025 Radio Mercury Awards.
Mike Ackerman
Executive Creative Director
VML
Carolina Arias
Senior copywriter
BeautifulBeast
Joe Ban
Writer/Creative Director
Joe Ban Creative LLC
Matt Bisbee
Creative Services Director
Hubbard Chicago
Carly Blitz
Creative Director
Deutsch
Jim Blommel
Production Director
Hubbard Radio Cincinnati
Casey Bredl
Associate Creative Director
Trailer Park Group
Carlos Bretel
Creative Director
Freelance
Molly Burke
Senior Copywriter
Arnold Worldwide
Maureen Cooper
Creative Services Director
Cumulus Media
Marina Cuesta
Group Creative Director
Michela Del Po
Producer
Arnold Worldwide
Ben Doessell
Creative Director
Highdive
Evan Dulaney
Associate Creative Director
Curiosity
Sam Dworkin
Associate Creative Director
Deutsch
Scott Fish
Associate Creative Director
Erich & Kallman
Pam Fraser
Creative Director
Curiosity
Sabina Gallier
Program & Music Director
93.1/94.5 KSLG-FM
TJ Hower
Creative Services Director
7 Mountains Media
Roger Hughes
Director of Audio Production
Shoplifter Studios
Kate Ichinose
Intern
Goodby Silverstein and Partners
Larissa Kirschner-Chaney
Freelance Creative Director
Copy Provocateur
Tim Kolling
Co-Founder & Chief Media Officer
Compass Marketing & Advertising Partners
Andrew Kong
SVP, Creative Director
Deutsch
Tony Lee
Writer/Producer
Freelance
Lance Liguez
Faculty Advisor
UTA Radio
Thiago Magnini
Creative Copywriter
BeautifulBeast
Chris Majocha
Senior Producer
Arnold Worldwide
Jody Nazzaro
Senior Sound Designer/Mix Engineer
SuperExploder
Fearghal ODea
Executive Producer
Erich & Kallman
Lisa Orkin
Creative Director/Owner
The Radio Ranch
Bob Pomann
CEO
Pomann Sound
Jeff Richey
Group Creative Director
TPN
Josh Ryan
Brand Strategist
Zimmer Communications
Mike Scecchitano
Production/Continuity Director
WJRZ-FM/Beasley Media Group
Michael Schillig
Creative Director + Writer
PPK
Ben Schneider
Associate Creative Director
Erich & Kallman
Pete Shamon
Creative Director (Copy)
The Pees
Jesse Shultz
Audio Producer
iHeartMedia's Studio55
Emory Sitting
Copywriting Intern
Goodby Silverstein & Partners
Bart Smith
Owner/Creative Director
Bart Radio, Inc.
Casey Stern
Group Creative Director
Highdive
Amy Turner
Group Executive Producer
VML
