Award Categories
TRACK 1:
MEDIA CHANNELS, PLATFORMS & NETWORKS
TRACK 2:
MEDIA STRATEGY & CONTENT
TRACK 3:
TECHNOLOGY
TRACK 1: MEDIA CHANNELS, PLATFORMS & NETWORKS
Who should enter: Companies that own, manage, and monetise the physical or digital spaces where advertising and content live. You are the destination for the audience.
Eligible entities include: Traditional and digital publishers, broadcasters, OOH/DOOH operators, transit and property networks, social media platforms, streaming services, retail media networks, and integrated commerce platforms.
The Differentiator: You control the inventory, the proprietary audience data, or the platform environment itself. You should enter this track to showcase how your specific property or in-house creative team delivered exceptional campaigns, sponsorships, or bespoke builds for a brand client.
Credits & Recognition Format:
- Winner: [Media Owner / Platform Name]
- Campaign: [Name of the Campaign / Execution]
- Brand / Client: [Brand Name]
- Agency Partner (Optional): [Agency Name]
1. Best Audio / Podcast Offering
This category awards the most effective use of audio platforms, including streaming music, digital radio, and podcasts.
- Example: A brand-sponsored podcast miniseries or a dynamic, voice-activated ad on a streaming app.
- Judges Will Consider: How the audio environment was leveraged to capture listener attention, seamlessly integrate brand messaging, and drive measurable engagement or conversion.
2. Best Cross-Platform Integration
This category awards campaigns that effectively synchronised messaging across multiple owned media channels.
- Example: A publisher executing a campaign simultaneously across their print magazine, digital site, and official social media channels.
- Judges Will Consider: Seamless continuity of the campaign narrative, effective channel synergy, and combined audience reach and impact.
3. Best Creative Campaign
This celebrates the creative and production capabilities of the internal studio of a brand, media owner, or government agency.
- Example: A highly bespoke, visually stunning digital campaign ideated and produced entirely by a publisher’s in-house studio for a client.
- Judges Will Consider: The creative concept, the quality of production, and how perfectly it was tailored to the media owner’s specific audience and platform.
4. Best Custom Physical Media Execution
This awards highly customised, non-standard physical executions that pushed the boundaries of real-world, physical-digital inventory.
• Example: Immersive installations, 3D billboards, bus/subway wraps, station dominations, or bespoke structural builds in a mall.
• Judges Will Consider: Structural and creative innovation, operational delivery and safety, how effectively the execution amplified the brand idea, and evidence of impact such as footfall, earned media, and brand visibility.
• Example: Immersive installations, 3D billboards, bus/subway wraps, station dominations, or bespoke structural builds in a mall.
• Judges Will Consider: Structural and creative innovation, operational delivery and safety, how effectively the execution amplified the brand idea, and evidence of impact such as footfall, earned media, and brand visibility.
5. Best Data-Driven Campaign within Owned Media or Digital Ecosystems
This rewards the sophisticated use of a media owner’s first-party audience data.
• Example: A super-app using its proprietary transaction and browsing data to deliver highly targeted ad placements for a FMCG brand.
• Judges Will Consider: Rigorous data application, how proprietary insights informed the creative or optimised delivery, and demonstrable ROI for the brand.
• Example: A super-app using its proprietary transaction and browsing data to deliver highly targeted ad placements for a FMCG brand.
• Judges Will Consider: Rigorous data application, how proprietary insights informed the creative or optimised delivery, and demonstrable ROI for the brand.
6. Best Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) Offering
This awards excellence in campaigns running on digital screens in public spaces.
• Example: A dynamic billboard that changes its messaging based on real-time weather triggers or live traffic data.
• Judges Will Consider: Dynamic creative executions, smart use of environmental triggers, and clear evidence of audience engagement or brand lift.
• Example: A dynamic billboard that changes its messaging based on real-time weather triggers or live traffic data.
• Judges Will Consider: Dynamic creative executions, smart use of environmental triggers, and clear evidence of audience engagement or brand lift.
7. Best Digital Publisher / Content Offering
This celebrates campaigns executed across a digital publisher’s ecosystem, including websites, apps, and newsletters.
• Example: A high-impact homepage takeover coupled with native editorial articles seamlessly blended into the publisher’s site.
• Judges Will Consider: Contextual relevance of the ad placements, integration of the brand into the editorial environment, and resulting traffic or engagement metrics.
• Example: A high-impact homepage takeover coupled with native editorial articles seamlessly blended into the publisher’s site.
• Judges Will Consider: Contextual relevance of the ad placements, integration of the brand into the editorial environment, and resulting traffic or engagement metrics.
8. Best Event / Experiential Activation
This awards the best event or experiential activation created and delivered by a media owner to enhance a media partnership.
• Example: A pop-up festival or an exclusive VIP summit hosted by a lifestyle publisher for a brand partner.
• Judges Will Consider: Strength of the experience concept, on-site engagement, operational excellence, how the activation was amplified through media, and measurable outcomes like attendance and leads.
• Example: A pop-up festival or an exclusive VIP summit hosted by a lifestyle publisher for a brand partner.
• Judges Will Consider: Strength of the experience concept, on-site engagement, operational excellence, how the activation was amplified through media, and measurable outcomes like attendance and leads.
9. Best Geo-Targeted Media Offering
This category focuses strictly on location-based strategies, awarding media owners who leveraged geo-fencing or specific district inventory to run a hyper-local campaign.
• Example: Pushing mobile app notifications or displaying ads on specific screens only when users enter a 500-metre radius of a retail store.
• Judges Will Consider: The strategic rationale behind location choices and the effectiveness of reaching that specific local audience.
• Example: Pushing mobile app notifications or displaying ads on specific screens only when users enter a 500-metre radius of a retail store.
• Judges Will Consider: The strategic rationale behind location choices and the effectiveness of reaching that specific local audience.
10. Best Government and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative
This awards campaigns that championed a government, social, environmental, or community cause.
• Example: A transit network donating prime advertising space to drive public awareness for a national recycling initiative.
• Judges Will Consider: Authenticity, strategic execution, how media inventory was utilised, and measurable real-world impact.
• Example: A transit network donating prime advertising space to drive public awareness for a national recycling initiative.
• Judges Will Consider: Authenticity, strategic execution, how media inventory was utilised, and measurable real-world impact.
11. Best Integrated Commerce Offering
Designed for super-apps, delivery platforms, and marketplaces, this awards campaigns that seamlessly bridged media engagement with transactions in a non-traditional retail environment.
• Example: An interactive ad within a food delivery app that allows users to instantly add a promoted beverage to their current order.
• Judges Will Consider: A frictionless user journey from ad exposure to purchase, and clear metrics on transaction volume or customer acquisition.
• Example: An interactive ad within a food delivery app that allows users to instantly add a promoted beverage to their current order.
• Judges Will Consider: A frictionless user journey from ad exposure to purchase, and clear metrics on transaction volume or customer acquisition.
12. Best Interactive Media Offering
This awards campaigns that required active audience participation.
• Example: Gamified ads, AR/VR experiences, shoppable video, or interactive DOOH screens that react to user movements.
• Judges Will Consider: The user experience, the level of active engagement, and how the interaction drove the brand’s objectives.
• Example: Gamified ads, AR/VR experiences, shoppable video, or interactive DOOH screens that react to user movements.
• Judges Will Consider: The user experience, the level of active engagement, and how the interaction drove the brand’s objectives.
13. Best News Media Offering
This recognises excellence in media campaigns executed within a dedicated news environment.
• Example: A highly trusted, contextual sponsorship of an election coverage hub or a premium print wrap on a leading daily newspaper.
• Judges Will Consider: How the campaign leveraged the credibility and authority of the news platform to elevate brand trust, alongside measurable reach and engagement.
14. Best Out-of-Home (OOH) Offering
This awards traditional, static out-of-home campaigns.
• Example: Striking, large-format static billboards, transit shelter posters, or building murals.
• Judges Will Consider: Visual impact, strategic site selection, and how the physical placement captured audience attention and generated buzz.
• Example: Striking, large-format static billboards, transit shelter posters, or building murals.
• Judges Will Consider: Visual impact, strategic site selection, and how the physical placement captured audience attention and generated buzz.
15. Best Retail Media Offering
Designed for traditional retailers monetising their physical and digital footprints.
• Example: A supermarket chain utilising its in-store audio, point-of-sale displays, and e-commerce search results to promote a specific FMCG brand.
• Judges Will Consider: Effective shopper marketing strategies, use of retail data, and direct impact on sales or basket size.
• Example: A supermarket chain utilising its in-store audio, point-of-sale displays, and e-commerce search results to promote a specific FMCG brand.
• Judges Will Consider: Effective shopper marketing strategies, use of retail data, and direct impact on sales or basket size.
16. Best Smart Media Offering
This category highlights media executions delivered through emerging connected devices and smart ecosystems.
• Example: Advertising seamlessly integrated into smart TV interfaces, connected EV dashboard screens, or IoT home devices.
• Judges Will Consider: Innovation in reaching audiences through non-traditional connected screens, user experience, and measurable engagement within the smart ecosystem.
• Example: Advertising seamlessly integrated into smart TV interfaces, connected EV dashboard screens, or IoT home devices.
• Judges Will Consider: Innovation in reaching audiences through non-traditional connected screens, user experience, and measurable engagement within the smart ecosystem.
17. Best Social Media Amplification Strategy
This rewards media owners who effectively utilised their own social media channels to amplify a campaign.
• Example: A broadcaster using its highly followed Instagram and TikTok accounts to drive tune-ins and conversations for a brand-sponsored TV programme.
• Judges Will Consider: Social strategy, platform-specific formats, community engagement, shares, and extended reach.
• Example: A broadcaster using its highly followed Instagram and TikTok accounts to drive tune-ins and conversations for a brand-sponsored TV programme.
• Judges Will Consider: Social strategy, platform-specific formats, community engagement, shares, and extended reach.
18. Best Sponsorship or Partnership Offering
This category recognises the most effective brand sponsorships of a media owner’s property.
• Example: A brand acting as the headline sponsor for a broadcaster’s flagship reality TV show, including product placement and co-branded promos.
• Judges Will Consider: A natural brand fit, innovative integration beyond simple logo placement, and mutual value delivered to both the brand and the audience.
• Example: A brand acting as the headline sponsor for a broadcaster’s flagship reality TV show, including product placement and co-branded promos.
• Judges Will Consider: A natural brand fit, innovative integration beyond simple logo placement, and mutual value delivered to both the brand and the audience.
19. Best Video / Streaming Offering
This awards campaigns executed across video-on-demand (VOD), OTT platforms, or digital video networks.
• Example: A non-skippable, highly targeted pre-roll campaign on a premium streaming service.
• Judges Will Consider: Creative use of the video format, audience targeting capabilities, and completion rates or subsequent audience actions.
• Example: A non-skippable, highly targeted pre-roll campaign on a premium streaming service.
• Judges Will Consider: Creative use of the video format, audience targeting capabilities, and completion rates or subsequent audience actions.
TRACK 2: MEDIA STRATEGY & CONTENT
Who should enter: Service-driven organisations that act as strategic intermediaries between brands and the broader media ecosystem, as well as the in-house or internal studio teams of media owners. You are the architects of the campaign.
Eligible entities include: Media planning and buying agencies, content and creative agencies, digital marketing and performance agencies, PR and communications agencies, influencer and talent management agencies, and the in-house teams from media owners.
The Differentiator: You are showcasing your strategic prowess. Your entries will highlight your ability to plan, buy, optimise, and execute multi-channel or content-led campaigns on behalf of a brand client to achieve their specific business and communication objectives.
Credits & Recognition Format:
- Winner: [Agency Name / In-House Media Team Name]
- Campaign: [Name of the Campaign]
- Client / Brand: [Brand Name]
- Media Partner (Optional): [Media Owner / Platform Name]
20. Best Branded Content Strategy
This awards the strategic use of branded content for clear communication across platforms.
• Example: A multi-part docuseries created by an agency for a brand, distributed across native editorial feeds and sponsored social posts.
• Judges Will Consider: Strength and consistency of the content idea, seamlessness and credibility of brand integration, distribution planning, and measurable outcomes such as brand affinity or consideration.
• Example: A multi-part docuseries created by an agency for a brand, distributed across native editorial feeds and sponsored social posts.
• Judges Will Consider: Strength and consistency of the content idea, seamlessness and credibility of brand integration, distribution planning, and measurable outcomes such as brand affinity or consideration.
21. Best Creative Use of Media
This celebrates agencies that used a traditional media channel in an entirely unexpected or unconventional way.
• Example: Turning a standard print newspaper ad into a functional, foldable origami piece that serves as a product demonstration.
• Judges Will Consider: Ingenuity of the media placement, how it surprised and delighted the audience, and how the creative use of the space amplified the core message.
• Example: Turning a standard print newspaper ad into a functional, foldable origami piece that serves as a product demonstration.
• Judges Will Consider: Ingenuity of the media placement, how it surprised and delighted the audience, and how the creative use of the space amplified the core message.
22. Best Data-Driven Media Strategy
This rewards agencies that put data at the very heart of their media planning.
• Example: Using complex third-party purchase data combined with first-party CRM data to dictate the exact channel mix and targeting parameters for a product launch.
• Judges Will Consider: Sophisticated data application, how complex data sets dictated targeting and ongoing optimisation, and its direct correlation to campaign success.
• Example: Using complex third-party purchase data combined with first-party CRM data to dictate the exact channel mix and targeting parameters for a product launch.
• Judges Will Consider: Sophisticated data application, how complex data sets dictated targeting and ongoing optimisation, and its direct correlation to campaign success.
23. Best Digital Media Strategy
This category awards exceptional planning and execution across the digital ecosystem.
• Example: A holistic campaign that perfectly synchronises display ads, search engine marketing (SEM), paid social, and programmatic buying to guide a user down the funnel.
• Judges Will Consider: The full digital mix, how the channels worked together cohesively, and the digital KPIs achieved for the client.
• Example: A holistic campaign that perfectly synchronises display ads, search engine marketing (SEM), paid social, and programmatic buying to guide a user down the funnel.
• Judges Will Consider: The full digital mix, how the channels worked together cohesively, and the digital KPIs achieved for the client.
24. Best Gamification Strategy
This awards the innovation and effective use of game mechanics to increase participation and deepen engagement.
• Example: An agency creating an AR-based scavenger hunt requiring users to visit physical locations and scan codes to win digital rewards.
• Judges Will Consider: The strategic role of gamification in the customer journey, quality of interactive design, and evidence of incremental uplift in engagement, data capture, or sales.
• Example: An agency creating an AR-based scavenger hunt requiring users to visit physical locations and scan codes to win digital rewards.
• Judges Will Consider: The strategic role of gamification in the customer journey, quality of interactive design, and evidence of incremental uplift in engagement, data capture, or sales.
25. Best Influencer / Creator Strategy
This recognises the most effective use of content creators and influencers within a media plan.
• Example: A tiered creator strategy pairing mega-influencers for reach with micro-influencers for niche community engagement, amplified by paid boosting.
• Judges Will Consider: Strategic talent selection, authenticity of the creator content, and how the agency amplified the assets through paid media to drive results.
• Example: A tiered creator strategy pairing mega-influencers for reach with micro-influencers for niche community engagement, amplified by paid boosting.
• Judges Will Consider: Strategic talent selection, authenticity of the creator content, and how the agency amplified the assets through paid media to drive results.
26. Best Integrated Media Strategy
This is the pinnacle category for multi-channel campaigns, where agencies orchestrated a complex mix across digital, traditional, and experiential touchpoints.
• Example: A campaign that seamlessly ties together TV commercials, OOH billboards, a live PR stunt, and targeted social media ads.
• Judges Will Consider: A cohesive strategy, the specific role defined for each channel, and the overarching commercial impact achieved.
• Example: A campaign that seamlessly ties together TV commercials, OOH billboards, a live PR stunt, and targeted social media ads.
• Judges Will Consider: A cohesive strategy, the specific role defined for each channel, and the overarching commercial impact achieved.
27. Best Launch / Rebranding Media Strategy
This awards the media strategy behind introducing a new product, service, or entirely new brand identity.
• Example: A high-frequency, high-impact media blitz designed to educate the market on a brand’s new logo, name, and positioning over a two-week period.
• Judges Will Consider: How the media plan generated immediate mass awareness, managed audience education, and successfully shifted brand perception.
• Example: A high-frequency, high-impact media blitz designed to educate the market on a brand’s new logo, name, and positioning over a two-week period.
• Judges Will Consider: How the media plan generated immediate mass awareness, managed audience education, and successfully shifted brand perception.
28. Best Media Partnership Strategy
This rewards agencies that brokered highly effective collaborations between their client and a media owner or third-party brand.
• Example: Negotiating an exclusive, year-long content and event partnership between an automotive brand and a leading sports broadcasting network.
• Judges Will Consider: The strategic rationale behind the partnership, the negotiation of unique value, and how the collaboration delivered results that standard media buying could not achieve.
• Example: Negotiating an exclusive, year-long content and event partnership between an automotive brand and a leading sports broadcasting network.
• Judges Will Consider: The strategic rationale behind the partnership, the negotiation of unique value, and how the collaboration delivered results that standard media buying could not achieve.
29. Best Performance Media Strategy
This category is strictly about the bottom line, awarding campaigns focused purely on conversion, lead generation, or sales.
• Example: A highly tactical, direct-response digital campaign for an e-commerce brand designed solely to drive immediate app downloads and purchases.
• Judges Will Consider: Rigorous A/B testing, agile bid management, relentless optimisation, and the ultimate return on ad spend (ROAS) or cost per acquisition (CPA).
• Example: A highly tactical, direct-response digital campaign for an e-commerce brand designed solely to drive immediate app downloads and purchases.
• Judges Will Consider: Rigorous A/B testing, agile bid management, relentless optimisation, and the ultimate return on ad spend (ROAS) or cost per acquisition (CPA).
30. Best Public Awareness Media Strategy
This recognises media plans designed to educate the public, change behaviour, or promote a social cause.
• Example: An anti-smoking campaign strategically placed across channels that index highly with teenage demographics.
• Judges Will Consider: Sensitivity and reach of the messaging, strategic channel selection, and measurable shift in public awareness or action.
• Example: An anti-smoking campaign strategically placed across channels that index highly with teenage demographics.
• Judges Will Consider: Sensitivity and reach of the messaging, strategic channel selection, and measurable shift in public awareness or action.
31. Best Real-Time Media Strategy
This awards agile media planning that capitalised on a live event, a cultural moment, or sudden market changes.
• Example: A brand launching a reactive, witty DOOH and social media campaign within hours of a major, unexpected sporting event outcome.
• Judges Will Consider: Speed of execution, relevance of the media response, and how the real-time activation captured outsized attention.
• Example: A brand launching a reactive, witty DOOH and social media campaign within hours of a major, unexpected sporting event outcome.
• Judges Will Consider: Speed of execution, relevance of the media response, and how the real-time activation captured outsized attention.
32. Best Targeted Audience Strategy
This focuses on campaigns designed to reach a highly niche, hard-to-find, or specific demographic.
• Example: A B2B campaign specifically targeting C-suite executives in the renewable energy sector across LinkedIn and niche trade publications.
• Judges Will Consider: Research and insights used to identify the audience, precision of media targeting, and effectiveness of engagement within that cohort.
• Example: A B2B campaign specifically targeting C-suite executives in the renewable energy sector across LinkedIn and niche trade publications.
• Judges Will Consider: Research and insights used to identify the audience, precision of media targeting, and effectiveness of engagement within that cohort.
33. Best Use of Generative AI
This category honours campaigns where an agency utilised Generative AI to significantly enhance strategy, creative output, or media distribution.
• Example: Using GenAI tools to dynamically generate thousands of highly personalised, real-time ad copy variations based on user data.
• Judges Will Consider: The innovative application of GenAI, how it improved efficiency or creativity, and the tangible uplift in campaign performance.
• Example: Using GenAI tools to dynamically generate thousands of highly personalised, real-time ad copy variations based on user data.
• Judges Will Consider: The innovative application of GenAI, how it improved efficiency or creativity, and the tangible uplift in campaign performance.
34. Best Use of OOH / DOOH Media
This awards the agency’s strategic planning and buying of the outdoor environment.
• Example: A programmatic DOOH campaign that successfully bought screens across multiple transport hubs to target commuters during rush hour.
• Judges Will Consider: How the agency selected the physical inventory, integrated location data, and leveraged the medium to achieve specific objectives.
• Example: A programmatic DOOH campaign that successfully bought screens across multiple transport hubs to target commuters during rush hour.
• Judges Will Consider: How the agency selected the physical inventory, integrated location data, and leveraged the medium to achieve specific objectives.
35. Best Use of Storytelling
This category recognises campaigns that best used the power of storytelling to build emotional connections and capture attention through media and content formats.
• Example: A long-form video campaign that tells a compelling human-interest story, distributed systematically to build suspense and emotional resonance.
• Judges Will Consider: Clarity and originality of the narrative, creative execution, how the story was adapted across channels, and evidence that it improved brand metrics.
• Example: A long-form video campaign that tells a compelling human-interest story, distributed systematically to build suspense and emotional resonance.
• Judges Will Consider: Clarity and originality of the narrative, creative execution, how the story was adapted across channels, and evidence that it improved brand metrics.
TRACK 3: TECHNOLOGY
Who should enter: Technology and data companies that build the software, infrastructure, and programmatic tools that power the modern media ecosystem. You are the engine room.
Eligible entities include: Demand-Side Platforms (DSPs), Supply-Side Platforms (SSPs), Data management platforms (DMPs), customer data platforms (CDPs), measurement and attribution software providers, location intelligence providers, brand safety tools, and retail media technology enablers.
The Differentiator: You provide the underlying tools rather than the media space or the agency services. You should enter this track to showcase how your proprietary technology, data solutions, or AI capabilities solved a specific industry problem, improved media efficiency, or delivered verifiable ROI.
Credits & Recognition Format:
- Winner: [Tech Provider / Company Name]
- Solution / Product: [Name of the specific tool]
- Case Study Client: [Brand or Agency that used the tool]
36. Best Use of AI / Machine Learning
This awards the smartest practical application of AI, machine learning, or GenAI within an advertising or marketing workflow.
• Example: A predictive machine learning algorithm that analyses browsing habits to automatically adjust bid strategies in real-time.
• Judges Will Consider: How AI/ML was implemented to predict behaviour, automate complex optimisation, or enhance targeting, resulting in clear performance improvement or operational efficiency.
• Example: A predictive machine learning algorithm that analyses browsing habits to automatically adjust bid strategies in real-time.
• Judges Will Consider: How AI/ML was implemented to predict behaviour, automate complex optimisation, or enhance targeting, resulting in clear performance improvement or operational efficiency.
37. Best Use of Brand Safety & Governance Technology
This category highlights tools designed to protect advertisers from fraud and ensure their ads appear in suitable environments.
• Example: A verification software that uses advanced semantic analysis to block ads from appearing next to harmful or non-brand-compliant content.
• Judges Will Consider: The robustness of the technology, its ability to accurately classify and filter content without compromising scale, and evidence of prevented wastage or safeguarded brand reputation.
• Example: A verification software that uses advanced semantic analysis to block ads from appearing next to harmful or non-brand-compliant content.
• Judges Will Consider: The robustness of the technology, its ability to accurately classify and filter content without compromising scale, and evidence of prevented wastage or safeguarded brand reputation.
38. Best Use of Data Analytics
This awards the use of data and analytics to turn fragmented information into actionable audience and media insights.
• Example: A CDP (Customer Data Platform) integration that unified disparate first-party data sources to create a single customer view for more accurate media buying.
• Judges Will Consider: How relevant datasets were unified and analysed, how insights translated into activation decisions, and how analytics improved media investment efficiency.
• Example: A CDP (Customer Data Platform) integration that unified disparate first-party data sources to create a single customer view for more accurate media buying.
• Judges Will Consider: How relevant datasets were unified and analysed, how insights translated into activation decisions, and how analytics improved media investment efficiency.
39. Best Use of Location Intelligence
This recognises the application of spatial and location data technologies to drive media planning and measurement.
• Example: A platform that maps aggregated mobile SDK location data to measure offline footfall attribution resulting from an online ad campaign.
• Judges Will Consider: The accuracy and privacy compliance of the location data, how the intelligence informed real-world targeting, and its ability to prove offline ROI.
• Example: A platform that maps aggregated mobile SDK location data to measure offline footfall attribution resulting from an online ad campaign.
• Judges Will Consider: The accuracy and privacy compliance of the location data, how the intelligence informed real-world targeting, and its ability to prove offline ROI.
40. Best Use of Performance Measurement
This awards measurement approaches that credibly demonstrate media contribution to business outcomes, especially in privacy-constrained environments.
• Example: A cross-channel attribution software that successfully operates without reliance on third-party cookies to prove media ROI.
• Judges Will Consider: Robustness of the methodology, cross-channel coverage, and how measurement learnings directly improved decision-making and delivered provable ROI impact.
• Example: A cross-channel attribution software that successfully operates without reliance on third-party cookies to prove media ROI.
• Judges Will Consider: Robustness of the methodology, cross-channel coverage, and how measurement learnings directly improved decision-making and delivered provable ROI impact.
41. Best Use of Programmatic Technology
This awards the most effective implementation of programmatic buying and/or supply technologies to improve quality, efficiency, and results.
• Example: A custom DSP algorithm set up to drastically reduce supply path friction and lower CPMs while maintaining high viewability.
• Judges Will Consider: Strategy and setup (bidding approach, deal structures), how automation reduced operational friction, and tangible value delivered through stronger performance or cost efficiency.
• Example: A custom DSP algorithm set up to drastically reduce supply path friction and lower CPMs while maintaining high viewability.
• Judges Will Consider: Strategy and setup (bidding approach, deal structures), how automation reduced operational friction, and tangible value delivered through stronger performance or cost efficiency.
42. Best Use of Retail Media Technology
This focuses on the software and tech infrastructure enabling retailers to monetise their ecosystems and advertisers to buy inventory.
• Example: A proprietary ad-serving platform built specifically for a supermarket’s e-commerce app, allowing FMCG brands to bid for sponsored search placements.
• Judges Will Consider: Ease of integration, closed-loop measurement capabilities connecting ad spend to actual product sales, and the revenue or yield uplift provided.
• Example: A proprietary ad-serving platform built specifically for a supermarket’s e-commerce app, allowing FMCG brands to bid for sponsored search placements.
• Judges Will Consider: Ease of integration, closed-loop measurement capabilities connecting ad spend to actual product sales, and the revenue or yield uplift provided.
OVERALL CATEGORIES (NOT FOR ENTRY):
These top-tier titles are awarded to the highest-performing entities across the programme, calculated via a transparent points system based on wins in the enterable categories.
43. Media Entity of the Year
This category is not open for entry and will be awarded to the media entity that has performed best across Track 1 at the Spark Awards, based solely on the number and type of awards won as determined by the awards jury.
Points system:
- Gold: 4 points
- Silver: 2 points
- Bronze: 1 point
Tie-breakers:
Most gold: If total points are tied, the media entity with the highest number of gold awards wins.
Most silver: If gold awards are also tied, the media entity with the highest number of silver awards wins.
Highest average score: If a tie still persists, the media entity with the highest average score percentage (as assigned by the judges across all their winning entries) will win.
44. Media Agency of the Year
This category is not open for entry and will be awarded to the agency that has performed best across Track 1, 2 and 3, based solely on the number and type of awards won as determined by the awards jury.
Points allocation for multiple media agencies:
Lead agency: When multiple agencies collaborate on a winning entry and a lead agency is identified, the lead agency receives full points towards the overall awards. Each non-lead agency on that entry will receive 25% of the points.
Joint submission: If two agencies declare an equal partnership on a winning entry, each entity will receive 50% of the points towards the overall awards.
Points system:
- Gold: 4 points
- Silver: 2 points
- Bronze: 1 point