Marketing Awards Categories

Includes all marketing, advertising, packaging, distribution, etc. functions. 
   Nominations that won in the 2025 ABAs may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2026 ABAs.  If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be submitted to the same categories in which they won.  If they have not been updated, they must be submitted to categories different from those in which they won.

   Marketing Campaign - Industry Categories
   Marketing Campaign - Specialty Categories
   Marketing Professional Categories
 

Achievements in Marketing - By Industry

Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2026 competition include

  Written answers to the following questions, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

a. Specify the date on which this campaign was launched.  Required
b. Describe the genesis of the nominated campaign: the reasons it was initiated, the challenges it was created to address, the problems it was developed to solve, etc. (up to 250 words).  Required
c. Describe the development of the campaign: the planning process, the goal setting, the creative and media development, the scheduling, etc. (up to 250 words).  Required
d. Outline the activities and concrete results of this campaign since the beginning of 2024.  Even if your campaign started before 2024, limit your response to activities and results since the beginning of 2024 only (up to 250 words).  Required
e. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination.  (up to 250 words).  Optional

  Optional (but highly recommended), a collection of supporting files and web addresses that you may upload to our server to support your entry and provide more background information to the judges.  These might be planning documents, press clippings, work samples, photographs, video clips, etc.

E01. Achievement in Agricultural / Industrial / Building: for all related products, materials, tools and services.
E02. Achievement in Automotive - Aftermarket: gasoline, motor oil, tires, batteries, paint, quick-lube, oil change, muffler, transmission, windshield wipers, enhancements, etc.
E03. Achievement in Automotive - Vehicles: cars, trucks, motorcycles, both brand and model advertising.
E04.Achievement in Beauty: cosmetics, fragrances, hair products, nail products, beauty services such as salons, spas, etc.
E05. Achievement in Beverages - Alcohol: beer, champagne, liquor, wine, wine coolers, after-dinner drinks, etc.
E06. Achievement in Beverages - Non-Alcohol: diet and non-diet soda, coffee, tea, juices, milk, milk substitutes, bottled water, sparkling water, etc.
E07. Achievement in Business & Office Supplies: business cards and professional printing, office equipment includes printers, copiers, supplies, furniture, etc.
E08. Achievement in Corporate Reputation/Professional Services: includes sponsorships, image & identity, and communications to promote corporations, not exclusively their products. Includes business/professional services such as consulting, accounting, legal, employments, etc.
E09. Achievement in Culture & The Arts: plays, museums, music organizations, concert series, cultural festivals, theater festivals, etc.
E10. Achievement in Delivery Services: couriers, package freight/shipping, food and drink delivery, grocery delivery, flower/gift delivery, overnight delivery, package tracking, international service, etc.
E11. Achievement in Education & Training: includes all educational institutions and organizations, training programs, job/career sites, etc.
E12.Achievement in Electronics: TVs, radios, mobile devices, home entertainment, laptops, tablets, cameras, smart home devices, computer hardware, game consoles, drones, external or integrated VR/AR devices, sound systems, etc.  Electronic devices may be targeted to consumers or business.
E13. Achievement in Energy/Nutrition Products & Services: products and services aimed at the energy, sports, wellness lifestyle. Vitamins, energy bars, drinks, etc.; weight loss and fitness programs/camps, training camps and facilities, etc.
E14. Achievement in Entertainment & Sports: includes all forms of entertainment, including movies, TV shows, podcasts, books, music, comics, games, toys, entertainment apps, sporting events, sports teams, etc.
E15. Achievement in Fashion & Style: brands of clothing, eyewear, footwear, hosiery, jewelry, accessories, etc.
E16. Achievement in Financial Cards: credit, charge, debit, reward, phone and other cards.
E17. Achievement in Financial Products & Services: communications promoting overall image and capabilities of a financial institution and specific products or services including home banking, loans, mortgage, mutual funds, traveler's checks, etc.
E18. Achievement in Food: fresh, packaged, or frozen foods.
E19. Achievement in Gaming & E-Sports: all forms of e-sports and single and multi-player games, including virtual reality, arcade, console, mobile, online and computer games.
E20. Achievement in Government / Institutional / Recruitment: municipal or state economic development, lotteries, utilities, civil, diplomatic or armed forces, parks, libraries, public services, etc.  Includes political messages and recruitment efforts.
E21. Achievement in Health, Fitness & Wellness: unregulated products/services focused on consumer health and/or promoting a healthy lifestyle.  Includes digital health products, fitness trackers, health/fitness apps, exercise equipment, nutraceuticals, vitamins, energy bars and drinks, etc.; fitness studios; weight loss and fitness programs/camps, training camps and facilities, etc.
E22. Achievement in Healthcare - Disease Education & Awareness: communications to educate and/or spread awareness about a certain disease or health issue, whether to healthcare professionals, patients, and/or consumers.
E23. Achievement in Healthcare - OTC: communications efforts for products that may be purchased without a prescription that address a specific illness, disease, or health issue, whether to healthcare professionals, patients, and/or consumers.
E24. Achievement in Healthcare - Rx: communications efforts for products that may be purchased with a prescription that address a specific illness, disease, or health issue, whether to healthcare professionals, patients, and/or consumers.
E25. Achievement in Healthcare - Services: marketing communications efforts that were developed for hospitals, HMOs, referral services, dental and medical care services, or chronic care facilities, whether to healthcare professionals, patients, and/or consumers.
E26. Achievement in Home Furnishings & Appliances: kitchen appliances, air conditioners, carpeting, furniture, decorator's supplies, paint, wallpaper, etc.
E27. Achievement in Household Supplies: cleaning products, waxes, detergents, floor-care products, fabric softeners, paper products, domestic services, mowers, fertilizers, lawn care, etc.
E28. Achievement in Insurance: communications promoting specific products or services related to insurance and the capabilities of financial institutions offering these services. All types of insurance are eligible (home, auto, financial, health, life, travel, business, etc.).
E29. Achievement in Internet / Telecom: wireless/cellular providers, high-speed Internet access services, online services, portals, search engines and related Internet products & services (including SaaS/IaaS and Cloud-based services), bundled communications (Internet, telephone, and cable TV).
E30. Achievement in Leisure & Recreation: Products and services aimed at hobbies, leisure, and recreation, including, but not limited to: dating services/apps, wedding planning platforms, personal development/improvement programs/apps, genetics/ancestry testing services, sporting and camping goods/services, etc.
E31. Achievement in Media & Entertainment Companies: TV networks, streaming services, websites, magazines, newspapers, consumer or trade media, radio stations, broadcasters, etc.
E32. Achievement in Non-Profit: not-for-profit organizations of all types, including charitable, social, civic, advocacy, trade, special interest, religious, etc.
E33. Achievement in Personal Care: soap, dental products, face & body lotions and cleansers, cotton swabs, deodorants, feminine hygiene products, razors, shaving cream, etc.
E34. Achievement in Pet Care: animal care products and services of all types, including food, toys, veterinary and boarding services, training, and breeders.
E35. Achievement in Real Estate: homes, real estate brokers, malls, etc.
E36. Achievement in Restaurants: quick service, casual dining, mid-scale, white table cloth and other restaurants.
E37. Achievement in Retail: general -- stores and/or websites that provide a multiple range of non-related or generally related merchandise, which include department stores, food retailers, and discount/bulk retailers, craft stores, etc. Specialized -- stores and/or websites that specialize in one particular line of products (e.g. clothing, fashion, jewelry, health food, shoes, pet care, toys, greeting cards, etc.).
E38. Achievement in Snacks / Desserts / Confections: ice cream, candy, chips, cookies, bakery items, nuts, fruit & vegetable snacks, popcorn, etc.
E39. Achievement in Software: software, groupware, operating systems, SaaS/IaaS and Cloud-based services, etc.
E40. Achievement in Transportation: air, train, bus/trolley, taxi, subway systems, bike shares, scooter shares, car rentals, leasing not including automobile sales/leasing, ferries, etc.
E41. Achievement in Travel / Tourism / Destination: cruises, hotels, resorts, amusement parks, travel websites and booking services, travel tours, tourism campaigns, etc.

Achievement in Marketing - By Type

Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2026 competition include

  Written answers to the following questions, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

a. Specify the date on which this campaign was launched.  Required
b. Describe the genesis of the nominated campaign: the reasons it was initiated, the challenges it was created to address, the problems it was developed to solve, etc. (up to 250 words).  Required
c. Describe the development of the campaign: the planning process, the goal setting, the creative and media development, the scheduling, etc. (up to 250 words).  Required
d. Outline the activities and concrete results of this campaign since the beginning of 2024.  Even if your campaign started before 2024, limit your response to activities and results since the beginning of 2024 only (up to 250 words).  Required
e. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination.  (up to 250 words).  Optional

  Optional (but highly recommended), a collection of supporting files and web addresses that you may upload to our server to support your entry and provide more background information to the judges.  These might be planning documents, press clippings, work samples, photographs, video clips, etc.

E49. Achievement in AI-Powered Marketing Strategy (new for 2026): recognizing holistic marketing strategies that leveraged artificial intelligence to drive planning, personalization, and optimization across channels.
E50. Achievement in the Use of Data to Drive Brand Strategy: recognizing campaigns that have effectively developed from the successful use of data and technology to identify and match the right audiences to the right message at the right moments.
E51. Achievement in Branded Content: recognizing work that has used branded content - original or sponsored - to reach out to audiences to establish meaningful relationships, memorable, engaging experiences, and unique connections with their brands.
E52. Achievement in  Brand Experiences - Business-to-Business: recognizing work that reaches out to business audiences to establish meaningful relationships, memorable, engaging experiences, and unique connections with their brands.
E53. Achievement in Brand Experiences - Consumer: recognizing work that reaches out to consumer audiences to establish meaningful relationships, memorable, engaging experiences, and unique connections with their brands.
E54. Achievement in Branded Utilities: recognizing products and services created to address a marketing or business challenge, not to be sold, as part of a marketing program itself.  Entrants must explain the product or service created in response to the challenge, its roles and objectives, and how it was communicated to its audience, and the results achieved. 
E55. Achievement in Engaged Communities: recognizing brands for creating content, experiences, platforms, news, etc. that get their communities to grow, engage, share, act or amplify messaging in a way that directly relates to a brand's goals.  Your entry should state how you managed the community, how you defined effectiveness around the community, and what was achieved. 
E56. Achievement in Influencer Marketing: recognizing campaigns that targeted influencers who have an exponential effect on the brand’s audience - one to many vs. one to one influencers. This category spotlights efforts that took on the challenge to properly identify the ultimate influencers and turn them into brand enthusiasts.
E57. Achievement in Marketing Disruption: recognizing marketing that grew their business / brand by changing the marketing model in ways that drive the industry forward. This includes marketing disruptors of any size. Nominations will detail the marketing challenge, the competitive landscape, and how they succeeded by changing the existing marketing model for the brand / category.
E58. Achievement in New Product or Service Introductions: for achievements that introduced a new product or service to the U.S. market.
E59. Achievement in Purpose-Led Marketing Initiatives (new for 2026): recognizing initiatives built around long-term commitments to social causes, advocacy, or corporate responsibility that align with core brand values.
E60. Achievement in Re-Branding / Brand Renovation: for marketing achievements that recreated or repositioned an existing brand.
E61. Achievement in Small-Budget Marketing (<$3 million): recognizing innovative and effective marketing initiatives that punched above their weight.
E62. Achievement in Viral Marketing: recognizing marketing initiatives that used word-of-mouth, video stunts, and other viral tactics as their primary means of communication.
E63. Achievement in Youth Marketing: for marketing initiatives that targeted the youth market (up to age 24).
E64. Achievement in Omni-Channel Marketing (new for 2026): highlights marketing initiatives that seamlessly integrate multiple platforms like digital, print, and in-person.

Marketing Professional Categories

Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2026 competition include

  Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated department's, team's, or individual's achievements since January 1 2024, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

a. Briefly describe the nominated department, team, or individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words).  Required
b. Outline the nominee's achievements since the beginning of 2024 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words).  Required
c. Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant.  If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words).  Required
d. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination..  (up to 250 words).  Optional

  Optional (but highly recommended), a collection of supporting files and web addresses that you may upload to our server to support your entry and provide more background information to the judges.  These might be planning documents, press clippings, work samples, photographs, video clips, etc.

E65. Marketing or Advertising Agency of the Year
E66. Marketing Department of the Year
E67. Marketing Team of the Year
E68. Marketing Executive of the Year
E69. Marketer of the Year: recognizing non-executive marketing professionals.  There is no entry fee for this category

Marketing professionals should also be interested in many of the ABAs' web achievement categories, app categories, podcast categories, publications categories, video categories, and event categories.