For the first time since the category was revived five years ago, Radio Mercury Award judges declared no radio station-produced commercial was worthy of honor or a cash prize.  The 14-judge panel also decided not to award prizes to political ads, student-produced spots and PSAs.

The Radio Advertising Bureau says, “Going forward, we will be focused on raising the bar for creative excellence in radio, both in the advertising community and within the radio industry.”  The RAB says it will announce “several new initiatives” at tomorrow’s awards event in New York, which are designed to “strengthen our educational and outreach efforts.”