As we close the chapter on another remarkable year, it is the perfect time to pause and reflect. It’s a moment to celebrate the milestones, honor the hard work, and appreciate the incredible journey we have shared with our team, our partners, and our community. This year was not just about meeting goals; it was about exceeding them. It was filled with moments of creative brilliance, industry-leading recognition, and a powerful commitment to making a difference.
Key Takeaways
- Award-Winning Excellence: Our team earned prestigious national and state-level awards, including recognition from the Marconi Awards, Radio Mercury Awards, Missouri Broadcasters Association, and the Country Music Association.
- Creative and Journalistic Prowess: We celebrated individual talent as our staff photographer was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame, a testament to our commitment to powerful storytelling.
- Community Dedication: We are proud to have partnered with our community to support vital local nonprofits, including Children’s Miracle Network and True North, making a tangible impact where it matters most.
- A Commitment to Local Business: The Best of Columbia event highlighted our dedication to celebrating the local businesses that make our community thrive, reinforcing our role as a partner in their success.
This is more than just a list of accomplishments. It is a story of passion, collaboration, and an unwavering dedication to excellence. For us at Zimmer Communications, success is measured not only by the accolades we receive but by the meaningful connections we build and the positive impact we create. We are immensely proud of our team’s talent and drive, which are the cornerstones of everything we do. In fact, we asked our team members to talk about why they chose to be part of Zimmer Communications. With a team THIS talented, they have the opportunity to go and work anywhere...but they chose Zimmer. Here's why:
Join us in celebrating a year of accomplishment!
The sound of success echoed from local stages to national platforms. Our stations and creative teams were honored with nominations and wins at the highest levels of the radio industry. These awards recognize the best in radio creative, programming, and station excellence across the country. This level of recognition is a direct reflection of the strategic and innovative work our team delivers, proving that powerful audio and compelling campaigns can capture attention and drive results.
2025 Marconi Awards
Zimmer Communications is thrilled to announce an incredible honor—FIVE Marconi Award nominations! Often referred to as “The Oscars of the Radio Industry,” the National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi Awards represent the pinnacle of excellence in broadcasting. These nominations are a testament to the hard work, talent, and passion of our team, as well as our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional content to our listeners, advertisers, and community. Join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement and in recognizing the outstanding individuals and stations that have earned this prestigious nomination!
Small Market Personality of the Year
CHR Station of the Year
Country Station of the Year
Rock Station of the Year
2025 Radio Mercury Awards
Zimmer Communications is celebrating an extraordinary achievement—our Creative Services team, led by Josh Ryan and Joey Lose, has secured 10 nominations at the 2025 Radio Mercury Awards! This recognition places us among the industry's elite, alongside national brands like Geico, Dos Equis, and Budweiser. The Radio Mercury Awards honor the best in radio and audio advertising, and being finalists in 10 categories is a testament to our team's creativity, passion, and dedication to storytelling.
The nominated work includes standout campaigns like Steve's Pest Control's “Ants and Termites Battle Rap” and “Dr. Bill,” Ultimate Steel's “Directions - They're All the Same,” and MO Heart Center's “Christmas” spot for good. These nominations highlight our ability to craft compelling, innovative audio narratives that resonate with audiences. This milestone reflects not only the talent of our Creative Services team but also the collaborative spirit that drives our entire organization.
You can listen to all of these, and all other finalists here.
AND...Josh Ryan WON!
Winners were announced on June 5 at SONY Hall in New York City...and Josh Ryan was awarded a 2025 Radio Mercury Award for Steve's Pest Control "Ants and Termites Battle Rap." This recognition is literally the "Grammy of the broadcast industry" and celebrates the nation's absolute best in broadcast.
- 2025 Radio Mercury Award-winning ad: Steve's Pest Control - "Ants and Termites Battle Rap"
National Association of Broadcasters' Crystal Award nominations
This year, our commitment to community and service was recognized on a national stage, with Y107 and Clear 99 both named finalists for the prestigious 2026 NAB Crystal Radio Awards. The Crystals honor stations that go above and beyond in serving their communities through year-round initiatives, fundraising efforts, disaster response, and meaningful civic engagement. Being selected as two of only 50 finalists nationwide is a powerful affirmation of the heart, consistency, and collaboration that define our teams. These submissions represented company-wide contributions spanning multiple departments, showcasing how every member of our organization plays a role in making our communities stronger. We are proud of the impact our stations continue to make and grateful for the collective effort that brought this honor to our company.
2025 Missouri Broadcasters Association
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!! Our team received 17 nominations from the Missouri Broadcasters Association in the Medium Market category, walking away with eight winning awards and eight runner-ups!
2025 Country Music Association
Our commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment and community connection was also recognized by the Country Music Association. Earning nominations at the CMA Awards places our stations among the elite in the nation, showcasing our dedication to our listeners and the artists who define the genre. One of the key differentiating factors for the CMAs is that they are chosen by industry insiders.
This year, Zimmer Communications had 4 nominations!
Small Market Station of the Year:
Small Market Personalities of the Year:
- Hilley & Hart in the Morning on 94.3 KAT Country / 101.3 Real Country
- Liz and Scotty in the Morning on Clear 99
Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame Inductee
Zimmer Communications is overjoyed to celebrate a monumental achievement; our very own LG Patterson was inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame this November! This prestigious honor recognizes LG’s decades of dedication to capturing the essence of Missouri through his lens. His work has not only told powerful stories but has also left an indelible mark on the art of photojournalism.
LG’s talent, creativity, and passion for visual storytelling have been a cornerstone of our team’s success. From iconic images that define moments to the everyday beauty of life in Missouri, his photography has inspired countless people and elevated the standard of excellence in our industry. LG discovered his passion for photography at 6 years old and hasn’t put down his camera since. Known for capturing the spirit of a story, he’s shot some of Missouri’s and the nation’s biggest news, music, and sporting events for nearly 50 years. We are so proud he is part of our team and want to congratulate him on being inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame!
Please join us in congratulating LG on this well-deserved recognition. His legacy is now etched in the Hall of Fame, and we couldn’t be prouder to have him as part of the Zimmer family!
2025 Best of Columbia
We believe in celebrating the heartbeat of our community: its local businesses. The annual Best of Columbia banquet was a testament to the vibrant spirit and dedication of the companies and individuals who make our city a wonderful place to live and work. Recognizing the best of the best is our way of honoring their hard work and fostering a community where businesses can thrive. Visit the Best of Columbia 2025 page on the Inside Columbia Magazine website to see the full list of amazing local businesses and individuals who make our community the great place to live and work!
2025 Community Support and Charitable Events
Our greatest pride comes from using our platform to give back. This year, our community came together in an extraordinary way to support crucial local organizations like Children’s Miracle Network and True North. Through radiothons and fundraising events, we helped raise vital funds that provide hope and support to countless families. This is the power of community in action, and we are honored to be a part of it.
Children's Miracle Network
Our mid-Missouri stations came together once again to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, raising nearly half a million dollars for life-saving treatments, research, equipment, and family support at our local hospitals. It was an incredible reminder of what happens when our teams and communities unite for kids who need it most.
True North
This annual effort of 96.7FM KCMQ rallied listeners and partners to support True North, a long-standing organization providing safety and advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. What began decades ago as a volunteer initiative continues today with powerful impact, and our stations were honored to help amplify their mission. KCMQ raised a record $9,353.66 during their Request-a-Thon on October 2. KCMQ opened up their playlist for the day and, for a donation of $25, a listener could request any song, and KCMQ would play it for them. Needless to say, it was a wild day! KCMQ played nearly 15 hours of requests and had a lot of fun raising money for a worthy cause.
Mid-Mo Baby Expo
This year’s Mid-Mo Baby Expo was a joyful celebration of families and new beginnings, bringing together expectant parents with community resources, local vendors, giveaways, seminars, and plenty of fun. It was a full day designed to support moms and families as they prepare for life’s newest chapter.
Honor Flight of the Ozarks
The Ozarks showed up in a powerful way this year, raising $32,296 to support Honor Flight of the Ozarks. This organization provides veterans with a deeply meaningful trip to Washington, D.C., offering many a transformative opportunity to reflect, heal, and honor their service. Throughout the radiothon, 101.3 Real Country, 98.7FM The Dove, ESPN The Jock, and KWTO News/Talk shared veteran stories, interviews, and firsthand experiences, all to rally the community in helping continue these life-changing missions. It was an extraordinary day of generosity, gratitude, and support for our heroes.
Gear up for Grades
To champion local teachers and students, our stations hosted a major back-to-school supply drive across Columbia. Community members showed up in force, helping stock classrooms and ensure every student has the tools they need to learn and thrive.
Boobapalooza
Springfield’s 98.7 The Dove hosted another successful Boobapalooza, raising funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks. With strong sponsor support and incredible community turnout, the event made a meaningful impact for families battling breast cancer. On October 24, Kevin Howard and Chris Louzader hosted the 26th annual Boobapalooza breakfast in Springfield.
Como Man Show
Our annual CoMo Man Show delivered a full day of action, food, and fun, featuring everything from hunting and fishing gear to sports, power tools, contests, bikes, and bold local flavors. With dozens of booths and activities, it was the ultimate day out for the guys.
Heartbeat Heroes
Our Springfield stations teamed up throughout July for the Heartbeat Heroes campaign, encouraging listeners to donate blood through the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, the region’s sole provider for more than 40 healthcare facilities. With lifesaving donations, summer incentives, and strong community turnout, the campaign helped ensure a steady blood supply during one of the most challenging months of the year.
Tiger Tailgate
Another season of Tiger Tailgates brought thousands of fans together before every Mizzou home game. With free food, refreshments, and a prime location by Mizzou Arena, it remained the perfect place to fire up the crowd and celebrate the black and gold all season long.
Holiday Food Drive
Our mid-Missouri stations helped sponsor the One-for-One Holiday Food Drive this month, setting a new record of donations for the second year, with over $137,876 raised — that's at least 413,600 meals!
New Radio Station! 93.7FM KZMO, The Stage
93.7 The Stage delivers a new, energetic country music format to greater Springfield. Serving the Heart of the Ozarks: With its renewed FM signal and branding as “TheStage,” not only playing the best of Today’s New Country including Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, and Lainey Wilson, it’s reaching beyond traditional radio charts to include acts such as Ty Myers, Gavin Adcock, Turnpike Troubadours, and more.
The concert feel of 93.7 The Stage will have you dancing and singing along with every song, giving the feeling of being at a concert to your favorite country artists.
Here's where to find the station website, on Facebook, and how to listen online.
Whew! What a year! Looking back on a year filled with so many incredible moments, one thing is perfectly clear: our success is a shared success. It is built on the trust our clients place in us, the dedication of our phenomenal team, and the unwavering support of our community. These awards and achievements are not just trophies on a shelf; they are proof of what is possible when passion meets expertise.
As we move into 2026, we are more energized than ever to continue innovating, creating, and helping businesses like yours achieve their goals. The talent, creativity, and commitment you see celebrated here are the same qualities we bring to every marketing partnership.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. The best is yet to come!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do these awards mean for your clients?
These awards validate the high level of strategic and creative expertise our team brings to every project. When you partner with us, you are working with an industry-recognized team that is proven to deliver innovative and effective marketing solutions that get results.
2. How does Zimmer Communications get involved with community work?
Our commitment to the community is a core part of our identity. We partner with local nonprofits and leverage our media platforms to raise awareness and funds for causes that make a direct impact on the lives of our neighbors. We believe a strong community is the foundation for strong businesses.
3. What kind of talent makes up the Zimmer Communications team?
Our team consists of award-winning strategists, writers, on-air personalities, production experts, and visual storytellers. From Marconi-nominated stations to a Hall of Fame photographer, we have cultivated a team of diverse, top-tier professionals dedicated to the craft of marketing and communication.