Advertising, Media & PR 2026

Auto & Auto Services

Branded content hubs, videos, articles, or series that promote automobiles, automotive accessories and parts, performance, and culture.

B2B

Branded content hubs, videos, articles, or branded series that promote B2B products and services including software, research, electronics, equipment, office supplies, advertising and creative services, team engagement, health and happiness programs, etc.

Best Art Direction

Only art direction is judged. Advertising where the photography and/or visual style intends to be striking, beautiful, innovative, emotional, and appeal to the senses.

Best B2B Campaign

Digital Advertising Campaigns to promote B2B products and services including; software, research, conferences, electronics, equipment, office supplies, advertising and creative services, team engagement, health and happiness programs, etc.

Best B2B Campaign

Best, most innovative, and effective or creative use of a media to promote B2B products and services including; software, research, electronics, equipment, office supplies, advertising and creative services, team engagement, health and happiness programs, etc.

Best Cause Related Campaign (PR)

Best, most innovative, and effective or creative campaign created for a brand on behalf of a societal cause.

Best Community Engagement

Best, most innovative, and effective or creative use of social or online community building, engagement and audience development within a PR Campaign.

Best Community Engagement

Best, most innovative, and effective or creative use of social or online community building, engagement and audience development through a dedicated marketing campaign.

Best Copywriting

Best, most creative copy written for advertising or marketing purposes.

Best Creator or Influencer Endorsements

Best, most innovative, and effective or creative use of an endorsement by an influencer or creator within a PR Campaign.

Best Direct Response Campaign

Best Event Activation

Best, most innovative, and effective or creative use of an event to promote a brand, person, institution, or organization.

Best Growth Strategy

Most strategic, creative or effective growth campaign leveraging data, experimentation, and optimization to boost revenue and audience growth, potentially utilizing public relations, paid media, and partnership strategies.

Best Launch or Drop

Best, most innovative, and effective or creative campaign for a brand launch or relaunch, including film, TV, and other media.

Best Media Strategy

Best, most innovative, and effective or creative use of media across channels.

Best Multimedia Storytelling

Best individual and multi-part stories or editorial features enhanced by the addition of innovative storytelling elements, design components, and increased interactivity, created on behalf of a brand.

Best Original Music or Music Supervision

Only music is judged. Advertising where the sound and music selection or original composition and its integration into the visual media showcases creative, innovative, emotional sound and music decisions.

Best Partnership or Collaboration

Online advertising campaigns that include a partnership or collaboration between one or more brands or celebrities.

Best Shopping or Social Commerce Campaign

Best, most innovative and effective campaign on a social platform that is designed to promote or facilitate e-commerce.

Best Social Impact Campaign

Online campaigns that effectively raised awareness for a specific social impact or political cause.

Best Use of AI & Machine Learning

Best, most innovative use of artificial intelligence and/or machine learning for advertising or marketing purposes.

Best Use of Animation or Motion Graphics

Only animation and motion graphics judged. Online experiences produced on behalf of a brand that integrate animation or motion graphics in a seamless, superior way that enhances the user experience.

Best Use of Data & Analytics

Best Use of Earned Media

Best, most creative, or most effective use of organic promotional efforts in a marketing campaign—including interactions on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok or other digital platforms.

Best Use of Online Media

Best, most innovative, and effective or creative use of a website or associated online tools—applications, games, microsites, online ads, social media, wallpaper, icons, etc.—in a media/marketing strategy.

Best Use of Social Media

Best, most creative, innovative, or highly effective use of online social media within an advertising or marketing campaign.

Best Use of Video or Moving Image

Only video or moving images judged. Online experiences produced on behalf of a brand that incorporate video and/or moving images in a way that enhances the user experience and generates engagement.

Best Video Campaign

Video-based campaign on behalf of a brand. Video campaigns must include 3 different components that each incorporates a video element.

Best Video Editing

This category considers the craft of editing independent of genre. Technical ability, creative execution, and adherence to the best practices of the craft will all be considered. This includes repurposed or re-imagined use of previously created video content.

Best Viral PR Campaign

Best, most innovative, or effective digital campaign stunt that encourages and/or results in the rapid and widespread sharing of a marketing message.

Brand Strategy

Online advertising campaigns with a clearly executed and insightful brand strategy.

Branded Content

Content hubs, videos, commercials, sites, articles, or native programs that promote brands, products, or services for commercial purposes, i.e. advertising.

Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign

Digital campaigns showcasing a company's commitment to encouraging community growth and development, and to activities and programs that benefit the environment, consumers, employees, and the public.

Digital Campaign

Digital campaigns must consist of at least 3 different components, all of which must have been executed online. This could include email, banners, websites, online guerilla marketing, online commercials, and mobile advertising.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Branded content hubs, videos, articles, or series that focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across all identies with the goal of creating inclusive environments where individuals can be authentic without discrimination.

Experience Marketing

The use of mobile, interactive, or online components to create real-world brand immersion. This includes events, interactive kiosks, GPS technology, outdoor interactive signage, and other environmental marketing that prompts users to interact with the web.

Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle

Branded content hubs, videos, articles, or series that focus on fashion, beauty, or general lifestyle topics. These include clothing, makeup, home decor, and similar topics.

Food & Beverage

Branded content hubs, videos, articles, or series that focus on food and drink. Includes consumer chef and restaurant profiles, recipes, culinary history, etc.

Game or Application

An internet-based game, application, messaging interface or bot, or voice skill application made on behalf of a brand to specifically market a good, service, or event.

Health, Wellness & Pharmaceutical

Branded content hubs, videos, articles, or series that promote personal health and well-being. These include pharmaceuticals, medical services, alternative medicine, health and fitness.

Installation or Experience

An in-person installation or experience that is enhanced with technology, including immersive, virtual reality and 360 video.

Integrated Campaign

Integrated Campaigns must include at least 3 different media types, one of which must be online. In addition to online, other media types can include print, outdoor, TV, guerilla, or radio.

Launch or Drop

Best, most innovative, and effective or creative campaign for a brand, series, product launch or drop that creates community engagement, excitement and buzz. This includes brand partnerships, revivals and re-releases.

Media & Entertainment

Branded content hubs, videos, articles, or series that promote media and entertainment ventures including film, television shows, and live performances.

Online Guerrilla & Innovation

Consists of unconventional and innovative online promotional techniques, achieved with a small marketing budget or driven by technological advancement. By nature, guerrilla marketing is subtle and often deceptive. Innovations may include the use of new technologies like Web3 or blockchain (e.g., NFTs, tokens, cryptocurrency). All components of the entry must be online.

Politics & Advocacy

Branded content hubs, videos, articles, or series that support or promote political parties, candidates, media or advocacy for a particular cause or policy.

Products & Services

Branded content hubs, videos, articles, or series that promote products and services, including consumer packaged goods, consumer electronics, technology, ISPs, retail, business and financial services, etc.

Public Service & Activism

Branded content hubs, videos, articles, or series that serve to facilitate political change, public civic participation, government policies/pursuits, or social activism.

Real Time Response Campaign

Advertising campaigns that use real-time information to create relevant messaging or react to current events in a brand-centric way.

Real-Time Response (PR)

Best, most innovative, or effective campaign that makes use of real-time information to create relevant messaging or react to current events.