Thousands, if not millions, of industry professionals, potential clients, competitors, and consumers keep track of marketing awards.
Winning or even getting nominated for a marketing award can increase brand visibility, client trust, investors’ attention, and more. All of this will lead to improving the bottom line of your business in the long run.
Not every award is the same. And you do not want to waste your time applying for awards that are not the right fit or do not result in anything for you.
In this article, we discuss in detail 12 marketing awards you can apply to in 2024.
What is a marketing award?
If you are here, you probably have a fair idea of what a marketing award is.
Like any other award, a marketing award also celebrates the outstanding achievements, creativity, and strategic thinking of marketing professionals. It recognizes the campaigns that help a brand move one step further towards success.
Some marketing awards focus on tangible results, effectiveness, and other business metrics – for example, Effie and ANA B2 awards. Other marketing awards are famous for assessing creativity and innovation, like Webby, Cannes Lions, and Clio awards.
Now, let’s jump to the next section to understand the different marketing awards and their categories.
Popular marketing award categories
Initially, marketing award categories were pretty straightforward, as the marketing channels were limited to print, radio, and television. But as marketing evolved, so did the award categories to direct mail, catalog marketing, and branding strategy.
With advanced technology, digital marketing, and social media, the marketing award categories are now multiplied significantly.
Now, there are many ways to categorize marketing awards based on industry, strategy, marketing medium, channel, marketing type, etc.
To make this simple, here are some of the most popular marketing award categories to consider applying to:
- Best Integrated Marketing Campaign
- Best Digital Marketing Campaign
- Best Social Media Campaign
- Best Content Marketing Strategy
- Best Mobile Marketing Campaign
- Best Search Marketing Campaign
- Best Email Marketing Campaign
- Best Video Marketing Campaign
- Best Brand Activation
- Best Public Relations Campaign
- Marketing Innovator of the Year
- Best Use of Data & Analytics
- Best Product Launch Campaign
- Best Outdoor Advertising Campaign
- Best Customer Engagement Strategy
- Best Youth Marketing Campaign
- Best Sustainable Marketing Initiative
These categories are not standard and will differ for every other marketing award program. As there are a multitude of these categories, if you have an interesting case, the chances are, you will easily find one or another category that fits.
In the next section, we’ll look at 12 marketing awards with details like the focus of each award, eligibility criteria, main categories, submission deadlines, and related costs.
12 Marketing awards to apply for
As industries and marketing methods have diversified, marketing award programs have surged. So you just need to find what’s relevant to your brand and the marketing case you want to boast.
For example,your marketing campaign brought in great sales. Submitting it just for a creative ad award would make little sense. Instead, submitting for ‘Campaign of the Year’ can increase your chances of winning.
These 12 marketing awards will help you understand which marketing award is best suited for you to apply.
1. Effie Awards
Effie is the short form for ‘effectiveness.’ As the name suggests, it is an award primarily focused on the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. They have a network of 55 programs that reach 125+ markets across the globe.
The Effie Global Best Awards ceremony is conducted every year in December. The finalists for 2023 are already out, and the winner will be announced on 7 December 2023. Effie also conducts regional awards like Effie Awards USA, Effie Awards Asia, etc.
Main categories to apply:
The Effie Awards have various categories based on specialty and industry. The specialty categories include B2B, commerce, experiential marketing, marketing innovation, and more.
Eligibility criteria:
The eligibility to apply for an Effie award is quite broad. All you need is a strong marketing campaign that drove significant results for a brand. Typically, this must be a campaign that took place in the calendar year prior to the submission year (for example, you can submit 2023 projects for the 2024 award). It’s also important that the geography of the campaign matches the geography of a specific award. For instance, if you apply for Effie Awards USA, you can’t submit a campaign that took place in another country. There are other multiple criteria and requirements, but they vary from category to category. You can learn more by requesting the requirements for the application documentation.
The entry submissions for the Global Effie Awards 2024 can be expected to be opened by April 2024.
Submission fees and deadlines:
Keep a tab on the Effie Awards page for all the updates like submission deadlines, costs, etc. The submission costs start from $995 per submission.
2. ANA B2 Awards
The ANA B2 Awards gives global recognition for exceptional B2B marketing initiatives and campaigns. It is conducted every year where peers from the B2B field decide the award winners.
Main categories to apply:
- Account-Based Marketing
- Customer Experience
- Digital Marketing
- Top Agency of the Year
- Individual Marketer of the Year
- B2 GEM Award
Some of the past winners of the B2 GEM Award are Tempo and Bader Rutter (Direct Positive) and EY, Reuters and Essence Mediacom.
Eligibility criteria:
- Open to all in B2B marketing. ANA membership is not required.
- Campaigns from the last year i.e calendar year of 2023 are eligible.
- Multiple entries across categories are welcome if they adhere to category requirements.
The upcoming ANA B2 Awards 2024 are open for entries. The early bird submissions end by December 31, 2023, and the final submission stretches until March 1, 2024.
Submission fees and deadlines:
The submission cost starts from $450 and goes up to $775 per submission. For more details on ANA B2 Awards 2024, check their FAQ page.
3. B2B Marketing Awards
The B2B Marketing Awards is the gold standard for creative and commercial achievements in the B2B sector. It recognizes those who put in extra marketing efforts and prove how B2B marketing can match the creativity of consumer marketing.
Main Categories to Apply:
These awards cover a wide range of categories, from campaign-level categories like omnichannel approaches and event marketing to strategic brand-building activities.
Eligibility Criteria:
A CMO or marketing manager can apply for a B2B marketing award on behalf of the team that has excelled in B2B marketing during the 2023 calendar year. You can be a small marketing agency or a conglomerate corporate company, these awards will help you flaunt the B2B campaigns that added value to your brand.
Submission fees and deadlines:
The entry submissions for the B2B Marketing Awards 2024 are expected to open by April 2024.
4. Martech Breakthrough Awards
The MarTech Breakthrough Awards recognize the best of the best in the world of Marketing, Ad, and Sales Technology. They conduct the award program annually, focusing on products, solutions, and companies that stand out in the MarTech space with innovative contributions.
Main Categories to Apply:
Categories include Marketing Automation, Content Marketing, CRM, Conversion Optimization, Email Marketing, and others.
For example, this year, Coupler.io won the award for the ‘Best Interaction Data Analytics Solution’ category. This news was distributed on social media and in the press, which resulted in increased brand awareness. – So this is a simple example of how marketing awards can be useful to brands.
See the details about this case.
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Eligibility Criteria:
It is open to anyone working in the MarTech field globally as long as the product, service, or company has been active or updated since March 1, 2021.
The submissions for the upcoming MarTech Breakthrough Awards 2024 are expected to open in April 2024.
5. The Drum Awards
The Drum Awards showcases the very best of the marketing industry every year. These awards commend the most talented individuals, teams, and companies that not only drive results but also understand their customers well. The Drum Awards give you additional brand awareness by publishing case studies of all the winners.
Main Categories to Apply:
It has multiple categories covering everything from Creativity to Search and Social Media to the Metaverse. These awards cast a wide net, making sure there’s an award for every innovation.
Eligibility Criteria:
Drum Awards is open to any marketing team or professional globally. It invites entries from brands, teams, and individuals who made a great impact and can show the effectiveness of their campaigns.
Submission fees and deadlines:
The entry fees per submission start at $215.
To apply for The Drum Awards 2024, you can submit your campaigns starting from January 24, 2024. While the official entries close on March 6, you have an extended deadline till April 3 for a premium cost.
6. MarCom Awards
The MarCom Awards are a creative stage for professionals who excel in marketing and communication. They spotlight amazing achievements across the marketing industry with a wide range of categories. These awards are conducted every year, with a renowned panel of judges from the MarCom sectors.
Main Categories to Apply:
The major categories range from digital media and print media to strategic communications. It also includes subcategories like websites, podcasts, videos, social media, and more, with special recognition for pro bono and nonprofit work.
Eligibility Criteria:
MarCom Awards are open to all marketing and communications professionals. To submit entries for the MarCom Awards 2024, you should have work produced after January 1, 2023.
Submission fees and deadlines:
The submission deadline for these awards is November 2023. The entry fee is $125 for individual entries and $195 for campaigns or plans, making it one of the most accessible awards in terms of cost.
7. Webby Awards
The Webby Awards have been selecting the best of the best global creative and digital marketing professionals since 1996. They are judged by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences and are held annually. The awards highlight innovation across various digital platforms, from websites and apps to advertising and media
Main Categories to Apply:
With categories like Websites and Mobile Sites, Video, and Social, Webby Awards also added AI and Metaverse categories recently.
Eligibility Criteria:
All organizations and individuals in the digital space can apply for Webby Awards. The work entered must be live or launched between October 2022 and February 2024.
Submission fees and deadlines:
As for the upcoming Webby Awards, the entries have been open since September 12, 2023. Entry fees starting at $70 per submission and varies based on category and deadline. You can check the entry fees (starting from $70) and other guidelines on the awards page of their website.
8. Digiday Awards
The Digiday Awards support digital innovation by awarding the brands, agencies, and technology driving progress in the media and marketing space. These awards are conducted every year to highlight the most forward-thinking campaigns, strategies, and leaders in the industry.
Main Categories to Apply:
The categories are diverse, and include Media Buying and planning, Video and TV, Content Marketing, Media Awards, Technology, and more.
Eligibility Criteria:
These awards are open to international brands, agencies, and tech companies that made significant contributions to digital marketing and media.
Submission fees and deadlines:
The Digiday Awards offer various deadlines, with the early birds getting a chance to submit their entries at lower cost. The final deadlines stretch into 2024 for the European awards.
You can subscribe to their email list for more updates on the upcoming awards.
9. The Shorty Awards
The Shorty Awards stands out for specifically recognizing social media and digital marketing excellence. They acknowledge the innovative and impactful work of brands, agencies, and organizations. Shorty Awards are held from October through February.
Main Categories to Apply:
Over 140 categories are available, including everything from social media campaigns (LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, etc.) to technological advancements in digital marketing.
Eligibility Criteria:
If you launched a project that was partially live from January 1st, 2023, to December 31st, 2023, you can add it to your submission entry.
Submission fees and deadlines:
You can submit an entry for the upcoming Shorty Awards until December 7th, 2023. The entry fee starts at $449. And with entry fees per category, you can secure early rates and possibly get some savings.
10. Content Marketing Awards
The Content Marketing Awards is an excellent platform for content marketers to showcase their work to the entire world. They commend unique content strategies and storytelling techniques with these prestigious awards. The submissions for CMA 2024 will be opened in March 2024. For more updates, you can follow their website.
Main Categories to Apply:
CMA includes all types of content categories, starting from print and digital publication to modern content marketing campaigns using artificial intelligence.
The content marketing award categories are spread across strategy, distribution, editorial, and visual storytelling.
Eligibility Criteria:
Anyone involved in content marketing across the globe can apply to these awards. The award program is open to agencies, companies, and organizations, except for those affiliated with the Content Marketing Institute or the awards’ sponsors. All the content projects submitted for the award should be created in the calendar year of 2023.
Submission fees and deadlines:
The entry fees for each submission starts at $199 and goes up to $299. The upcoming Content Marketing Awards is your chance to showcase your best work. Sign up on CMA to know the exact updates about the award program.
11. Brand Impact Awards
The Brand Impact Awards, marking their tenth year in 2024, stands as a benchmark for recognizing effective brand strategy and design. They offer a platform for professionals to showcase their most innovative branding projects.
It is conducted by Creative Bloq and 3D World magazine. The BIAs recognize high-impact branding projects from around the world and award the best ones.
Main Categories to Apply:
The award categories are based on industry, from Healthcare to Technology.
Eligibility Criteria:
If your branding project was launched or refreshed between June 2022 and the end of June 2023, you can apply for BIA 2024.
Submission fees and deadlines:
Entries open around April every year, with a fee structure based on the number of submissions. Single entries start at £199, scaling down for multiple submissions. So, apply for this award if your project transformed a brand experience.
12. AVA Digital Awards
The AVA Digital Awards recognise outstanding work in digital communication, celebrating the creative combination of digital arts, technology, and information. These awards are presented annually, recognizing the work of creative professionals in digital campaigns, audio and video production, website development, and social media engagement.
Main Categories to Apply:
The major categories include Digital Marketing, Web Communication, Video for the web, Audio Communication, and Interactive Social Media.
Eligibility Criteria:
It is open to all individuals and organizations involved in digital media creation. The work must be produced after January 1, 2023, to qualify for 2024 awards.
Submission fees and deadlines:
The upcoming AVA Digital Awards 2024 submissions opened on November 1, 2023, with a submission deadline of December 14, 2023. The entry fee is $120 for single entries and $195 for campaigns, with special discounts for pro bono work.
Suggested reading: check our recent article How to become a marketing analyst.
FAQs on marketing awards
1. Why are marketing awards important for businesses?
Marketing awards can boost brand visibility and recognition. It increases trust and credibility in the market. They also help in attracting the top talent and can be an important factor in winning new business, especially for agencies. Additionally, marketing awards can provide a competitive edge and open doors to new investment opportunities.
However, they take a lot of time and resources to enter, and there’s no guarantee of winning. So it’s better to focus on just several submissions that would matter most.
2. Who typically organizes marketing award competitions?
Marketing award competitions are generally organized by industry bodies, trade associations, and publication companies specializing in marketing and communications. They have the expertise to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of marketing initiatives. They also hold the reputation needed to grant awards that carry weight in the industry.
3. What types of marketing initiatives or campaigns are eligible for awards?
Digital marketing campaigns, social media strategies, and SEO/SEM initiatives, traditional advertising, public relations, and integrated marketing communications are some examples of marketing initiatives that are eligible for marketing awards.
Any marketing campaign that shows creativity, strategic thinking, effective execution, and measurable results according to the award category focus area will be eligible.
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Get started for freeDo marketing awards matter?
Marketing awards matter because they highlight good work and help brands build trust with clients. Receiving an award can also make your company stand out and bring in new customers. But it’s important to apply for awards that fit your business’s strengths and campaigns you ran.
A prestigious marketing award can be a great achievement and acknowledgement of your team’s creativity and hard work. However, it’s worth remembering that your ultimate goal is to come up with clear and effective campaigns that resonate with your audience. So creativity or innovation alone shouldn’t be the main focus of your marketing efforts. Even the most creative and award-winning campaign won’t contribute to your success if it fails to deliver value to the customers. And, in the aftermath, your clients’ recognition and loyalty is the biggest award of all.
