Annual Categories

Work that uses computer-generated imagery to creatively represent the three-dimensional surface of any object, being, effect, or environment, whether as a moving image or a still. Judges will evaluate accuracy in depiction, technical skill, attention to craft, and the overall approach to the brief.

Work created for digital advertising channels, including mobile and desktop platforms. Judges will evaluate creativity, originality, execution, strategy, and how effectively the campaign communicates its message to the intended audience.

Work created for broadcast television. Judges will evaluate creativity, execution, strategy, and how effectively the campaign communicates its message while engaging its audience.

Work created in a medium for animation of film both 2D and 3D, including stop-motion, graphic, silhouette, cel, computer or other methods. The judges will be looking for the following characteristics displayed in each film; rhythm, use of storytelling, expertise in the chosen medium, and overall originality.

Application design, can be, but not limited to, any mobile app, software or online tool. The work includes the overall design, user interface, user experience and responsiveness for multiple devices. The judges will be selecting work based on a combination of usability, design, leverage of technology, and activation methods, taking into consideration the positioning in the overall marketplace.

Non-commercial work where the focus is on the craft of the piece. The artwork can be of any form, spanning digital or physical media, and must have been publicly released to be eligible. Judges will evaluate the craft and level of execution in the chosen medium.

Work where the use of AI is central to the project, whether in ideation, development, or final execution. Judges will evaluate the direct correlation between the use of AI and the overall success and execution of the work.

Work where the creator is also the client, promoting their own company or personal brand. Any medium is eligible, including social media, branding, advertising, or other creative work, provided it has been publicly released. Judges will evaluate creativity, clarity of concept, and execution.

Work where storytelling takes centre stage, designed to engage, entertain, or inspire an audience while authentically promoting a brand. This can include film, print, social, integrated campaigns, or experiential work. Judges will evaluate creativity, originality, authenticity, audience engagement, clarity of message, and the overall effectiveness and execution of the brief.

Work that creates a cohesive new identity for a brand across mediums including brand collateral, digital content, environment, packaging, print, or stationery. Judges will evaluate cleverness, design, consumer engagement, and the overall effectiveness and execution of the client brief.

Work focused on business-to-business communication. Submissions can be in any medium but must be centred on a B2B product or service. Judges will evaluate creativity in idea and execution, as well as the product, brand, and results, considering how effectively the work achieved the client’s goals.

Work where the copywriting is central to the creativity of the final piece. This can include copy from advertising, websites, digital services, games, apps, or social media. Judges will evaluate creativity, clarity, originality, tone, and how effectively the copy communicates its intended message. To ensure consistent judging, entries must have been released in English.

Work that didn't quite make it. Work that was completed but not released for whatever reason. Submissions can be in any medium but should be close to final execution — no scamps, sketches or concepts. Judges will evaluate creativity, execution, and the potential impact of work had it been released.

A campaign where the use of data is central to the idea or execution. Data can be used to enhance an idea, drive commercial success, improve customer relations, or provide unique insights. This can include personal data, location data, realtime data, or other types of information. Judges will evaluate the direct correlation between the use of data and the campaign’s success, considering how the results would not have been achievable without it.

Work that uses digital technology in innovative ways to solve a creative brief or deliver a campaign. This can include interactive experiences, immersive content, or technology-driven solutions that enhance engagement or communication. Judges will evaluate creativity, implementation, design, strategic use of technology, and how effectively the work fulfils the client brief.

Work in commercial literature delivered via post or digitally, designed to generate customer engagement. Judges will evaluate expertise in the chosen medium, effectiveness of messaging, customer activation, strength and originality of the call to action, and overall design.

Work that demonstrates measurable results of creativity. Submissions should show tangible positive business impact, contribute to cultural change, or have a direct effect on profitability, reach, or other business objectives. Judges will evaluate the correlation between the creative work and its results.

Work that uses ambient, exhibition, or installation platforms to generate customer interest and attention, which may include the use of new technologies. Judges will evaluate engagement with the target audience, use of innovative technologies, overall concept, and customer activation.

Film work created for any medium where the story, execution, and overall impact are central to the piece. Judges will assess the strength of the idea, storytelling, audience engagement, and how effectively the work achieves its intended purpose.

Work that highlights the technical and creative execution of film, including cinematography, lighting, camera work, and shot composition. Judges will assess the skill, precision, and artistry of the individual elements that bring the film to life.

Work that communicates ideas and experiences through visual and textual content in graphic design. Any graphic design is eligible, including adverts, posters, branding, magazines, books, calendars, or digital media. Judges will evaluate the execution of the idea, how effectively the design conveys the overall message, and, for work with multiple assets, the cohesion of the set.

Work that uses the illustration medium to communicate an idea or message, either to solve a client brief or for personal work. Submissions can be a single image or a series of images telling a larger story. Judges will evaluate overall style, uniqueness, context, and relevance.

Work that demonstrates a full creative campaign delivered across multiple channels and media. Submissions should include examples from all mediums used. Judges will evaluate how well the creative is executed across each medium and how effectively it fits the overall approach to the brief.

Work created with a limited budget where the strength of the idea, ingenuity and execution are central to its success. This category celebrates creative resourcefulness and effectiveness relative to budget constraints. Judges will consider how well the work achieves its creative objectives with limited financial resources.

Best use of original music compositions that showcases original music compositions. Judges will assess originality, emotional impact, technical skill, and how effectively the composition communicates or enhances an idea, concept, or experience.

Work designed for any application outdoors, examples include: billboards, street posters, indoor posters, 3D billboards, digital displays, or ambient environments. Judges will evaluate creativity, execution, visual impact, and how effectively the work engages audiences and communicates its message.

Work that demonstrates excellence in packaging design, including physical packaging, point-of-sale materials, and packaging systems. Judges will evaluate the creativity, cleverness, execution, and visual impact of the design, as well as its usability, efficiency, and environmental impact.

Celebrating the best use of the photography medium, whether to solve a client brief or for personal work. Submissions can be a single image or a series that tells a larger story. Judges will evaluate the work’s overall style, originality, context, and relevance, as well as technical execution, composition, lighting, and visual impact.

Work that demonstrates excellence in editing, visual effects, colour grading, or motion graphics. Judges will evaluate technical execution, creativity, cohesion, and how effectively the post-production enhances the overall piece.

Work created for print media, including advertising, brochures, posters, publications, and other printed materials. Judges will evaluate execution, creativity, clarity of communication, and visual impact.

Work that displays exceptional visual impact and brand experience through innovative design. Judges will evaluate designs based on innovation, functionality, quality, ergonomics, problem solving, relationship with the user, ability to convey purpose, production, and environmental impact. This category includes Automotive, Electronics, Home & Furniture products, and Fashion & Lifestyle goods.

Work that demonstrates excellence in public relations, communications, or earned media. Any PR campaign, offline, online, or involving influencer marketing, can enter this award. Judges will evaluate the strategy, creativity, execution, and effectiveness of the campaign.

Work that demonstrates excellence in publishing design, including magazines, books, journals, annual reports, brochures, and digital publications. Judges will evaluate visual and editorial quality, creativity, clarity of communication, typographic execution, and the overall impact of the work.

A campaign, idea or execution that breaks the mould. Work can be in any medium and should challenge current conceptions and go against the grain. This category is for rule breakers, with judges looking to be shocked, awed or enlightened by a new way of seeing how things can be done.

Work created specifically for social media channels, including campaigns, content, posts, and interactive experiences. Judges will evaluate creativity, engagement, originality, and how effectively the work communicates its message to the intended audience.

Any work in any medium that is related to bringing social change. This includes both innovations pertaining to new products through to communications about initiatives and everything in between. Causes that can be supported include but are not limited to accessibility, animal welfare, diversity and inclusion, education, environment, human rights, hunger, mental health, public health, poverty and racial equality.

Work that demonstrates excellence in sound elements, including sound effects, audio branding, or immersive audio experiences. Judges will evaluate creativity, originality, technical skill, and how effectively the sound design enhances the overall work.

Work that demonstrates excellence in creating immersive physical or digital spaces, environments, installations, or experiences, whether temporary or permanent. Judges will evaluate creativity, innovation, functionality, visual impact, and how effectively the space communicates the intended message or experience.

Work that demonstrates a commitment to environmental or social sustainability, whether through eco-friendly materials, innovative processes, or campaigns that inspire positive change. Judges will evaluate originality, measurable impact, and how effectively the work aligns with sustainability principles. Submissions can include initiatives, campaigns, products, or projects across any medium.

Work that demonstrates excellence in typographic design and use of type to communicate a message or idea. This can include custom lettering, fonts, editorial or digital typography, branding, or environmental type. Judges will evaluate creativity, legibility, originality, execution, and how effectively the typography supports the concept or message.

Work where the main purpose of the communication is to make a substantial impact through entirely new or rarely explored technologies, mediums, or applications. Judges will evaluate the use of technologies, customer activation, overall design, execution, and clarity of messaging.

Work created for websites, including corporate sites, campaigns, portfolios, or interactive projects. Judges will evaluate design, functionality, creativity, and user experience, as well as how effectively the website communicates its intended message and engages its audience.

Open to all agency networks with at least five separate offices or associated businesses. This award recognises the network that has demonstrated the highest calibre of creative and business excellence over the past year. Submissions can be made by anyone within the network and should specify in the Notes section what the network has achieved and why it deserves the title.

This will recognise an agency that has demonstrated the highest calibre of creative excellence over the past year. The submission can be made by the agency or nominated by another person or team. Entries should specify in the Notes Section of the submission what they have achieved and why they should be the Agency of the Year.

Open exclusively to design agencies, including those specialising in product, branding, graphic design, or related disciplines. This award recognises an agency that has demonstrated the highest calibre of creative excellence over the past year. Submissions can be made by the agency itself or nominated by another person or team, and should specify in the Notes section what the agency has achieved and why it deserves the title.

An Independent Agency should have no parent company and be truly independent of a network. This will recognise an agency that has demonstrated the highest calibre of creative excellence over the past year. The submission can be made by the agency or nominated by another person or team. Entries should specify in the Notes Section of the submission what they have achieved and why they should be the Independent Agency of the Year.

Open to agencies with no more than 30 regular employees, including semi-permanent freelancers. This award recognises an agency that has demonstrated the highest calibre of creative excellence over the past year. Submissions can be made by the agency itself or nominated by another person or team, and should specify in the Notes section what the agency has achieved and why it deserves the title.

This award is open to any size PR agency. This will recognise an agency has demonstrated excellence in PR strategy over the past year. The submission can be made by the agency or nominated by another person or team. Entries should specify in the Notes Section of the submission what they have achieved and why they should be the PR Agency of the Year.

This award is open to businesses whose primary focus is the creation and production of exceptional film work, regardless of the platform or medium where the final output is distributed. Eligible production companies may specialise in working on behalf of clients or producing original films independently. Submissions can be made by the entrant or nominated by another person or team. Entries should specify in the Notes Section of the submission what they have achieved and why they should be the Production Company/Agency of the Year.

This award is open to businesses whose core focus is bringing creative visions to life by putting the final polish on film and video projects. This includes expertise in editing, rendering, compositing, visual effects (VFX), color grading, motion graphics, and other post-production services that transform raw footage into a cohesive, professional final product. The submission can be made by the post company or nominated by another person or team. Entries should specify in the Notes Section of the submission what they have achieved and why they should be the Post Production Company/Agency of the Year.

This award is open to businesses whose core offering is creating and enhancing the auditory experience for creative projects. This includes original music composition, sound design, foley, audio post-production, sound mixing, and crafting sonic identities. The submission can be made by the company or nominated by another person or team. Entries should specify in the Notes Section of the submission what they have achieved and why they should be the Music & Sound Company/Agency of the Year.

This award is specifically for internal teams inside of brands. This will recognise a team that has demonstrated the highest calibre of creative excellence over the past year and is open to both marketing teams and internal creative teams or studios. The submission can be made by the brand or nominated by another person or team. Entries should specify in the Notes Section of the submission what they have achieved and why they should be the Brand Team of the Year.

This award will recognise the agency or studio (creative, media, post/production) who have created the best workplace for its employees. This company has created an environment promoting outstanding career opportunities, compensation & benefits, culture, values, and work-life balance. The submission can be made by the agency or nominated by another person or team. Entries should specify in the Notes Section of the submission examples of the factors specified above.

This award will recognise the brand who has created the best workplace for its employees. This company has created an environment promoting outstanding career opportunities, compensation & benefits, culture, values, and work-life balance. The submission can be made by the company itself or nominated by another person or team. Entries should specify in the Notes Section of the submission providing examples of the factors specified above.

This award honours an individual who has demonstrated the highest calibre of creative excellence over the past year. Recognising visionary leadership, innovation, and a lasting impact on the industry, this award celebrates those who inspire, challenge, and set new standards in creativity. The submission can be made by the individual or nominated by another person or team. Entrants should specify in the Notes Section of the submission what they have achieved and why they should be the Creative Leader of the Year.

This award celebrates an emerging creative leader who is shaping the future of the industry. Recognising individuals who surpass expectations and break boundaries in their field, this award honours emerging talent whose vision, innovation, and impact signal the arrival of the next generation of creative leaders. The submission can be made by the individual or nominated by another person or team. Entrants should specify in the Notes Section of the submission details of what they have achieved and why they should be the Next Gen Talent of the Year.

This award celebrates a creative team that has demonstrated exceptional collaboration, innovation, and impact over the past year. Whether through producing groundbreaking campaigns, delivering outstanding results, or setting new benchmarks for creativity in their field, this team has exemplified the power of creative partnership. Submissions can be made by the team themselves or nominated by a colleague, client, or organisation. Entrants should highlight specific projects or achievements that showcase the team's success and explain why they deserve to be recognised as the Creative Team of the Year.

This award celebrates a Director who has demonstrated outstanding vision, creativity, and leadership in the advertising and creative industries over the past year. Honouring those who bring ideas to life through compelling storytelling and impactful visuals, this award recognises a Director who has set a new standard of excellence in commercials, branded content, or groundbreaking campaigns. Directors can enter themselves or be nominated by a colleague, client, or organisation, highlighting projects that showcase their vision and industry impact.

This award recognises an individual designer who has demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and skill over the past year. Open to designers from all disciplines, whether through delivering outstanding projects, pushing the boundaries of their craft, or making a significant impact in their field, this designer has set a new standard of excellence. Submissions can be made by the designer themselves or nominated by a colleague, client, or team. Entrants should highlight specific work and achievements that showcase their expertise and explain why the nominee deserves to be recognised as the Designer of the Year.