[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Award Categories” _builder_version=”4.16″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px|20px|15px|20px|false|false” custom_css_main_element=”display:flex;||align-items:center;” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#ffffff” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TRACK 1: MEDIA CHANNELS, PLATFORMS & NETWORKS” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_padding=”||1px|||” link_option_url=”#Track-1″ hover_enabled=”0″ border_color_all=”#ffffff” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ width=”100%”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px|20px|15px|20px|false|false” custom_css_main_element=”display:flex;||align-items:center;” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#ffffff” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TRACK 2: MEDIA STRATEGY & CONTENT” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_padding=”||1px|||” link_option_url=”#Track-2″ hover_enabled=”0″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ width=”100%”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px|20px|15px|20px|false|false” custom_css_main_element=”display:flex;||align-items:center;” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#ffffff” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TRACK 3: TECHNOLOGY” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_padding=”||1px|||” link_option_url=”#Track-3″ hover_enabled=”0″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ width=”100%”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TRACK 1: MEDIA CHANNELS, PLATFORMS & NETWORKS” module_id=”Track-1″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_padding=”||1px|||” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Who should enter:<\/strong> Companies that own, manage, and monetise the physical or digital spaces where advertising and content live. You are the destination for the audience. Credits & Recognition Format:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”1. Best Audio \/ Podcast Offering” admin_label=”1. Best Audio \/ Podcast Offering” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This category awards the most effective use of audio platforms, including streaming music, digital radio, and podcasts.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”2. Best Cross-Platform Integration” admin_label=”2. Best Cross-Platform Integration” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This category awards campaigns that effectively synchronised messaging across multiple owned media channels.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”3. Best Creative Campaign” admin_label=”3. Best Creative Campaign” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n This celebrates the creative and production capabilities of the internal studio of a brand, media owner, or government agency.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”4. Best Custom Physical Media Execution” admin_label=”4. Best Custom Physical Media Execution” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards highly customised, non-standard physical executions that pushed the boundaries of real-world, physical-digital inventory. This recognises excellence in media campaigns executed within a dedicated news environment. [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”14. Best Out-of-Home (OOH) Offering” admin_label=”14. Best Out-of-Home (OOH) Offering” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards traditional, static out-of-home campaigns. Who should enter:<\/strong> 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. Credits & Recognition Format:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”20. Best Branded Content Strategy” admin_label=”20. Best Branded Content Strategy” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards the strategic use of branded content for clear communication across platforms. Who should enter:<\/strong> Technology and data companies that build the software, infrastructure, and programmatic tools that power the modern media ecosystem. You are the engine room. Credits & Recognition Format:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”36. Best Use of AI \/ Machine Learning” admin_label=”36. Best Use of AI \/ Machine Learning” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards the smartest practical application of AI, machine learning, or GenAI within an advertising or marketing workflow. 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.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”43. Media Entity of the Year” admin_label=”43. Media Entity of the Year” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Points system:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tie-breakers:<\/strong> [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”44. Media Agency of the Year” admin_label=”44. Media Agency of the Year” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Points allocation for multiple media agencies:<\/strong> Joint submission:<\/strong> If two agencies declare an equal partnership on a winning entry, each entity will receive 50% of the points towards the overall awards.<\/p>\n Points system:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Award CategoriesTRACK 1:MEDIA CHANNELS, PLATFORMS & NETWORKSTRACK 2:MEDIA STRATEGY & CONTENTTRACK 3:TECHNOLOGYTRACK 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-27","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n
Eligible entities include:<\/strong> 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:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n
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\n \u2022 Example: Immersive installations, 3D billboards, bus\/subway wraps, station dominations, or bespoke structural builds in a mall.
\n \u2022 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.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”5. Best Data-Driven Campaign within Owned Media or Digital Ecosystems” admin_label=”5. Best Data-Driven Campaign within Owned Media or Digital Ecosystems” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This rewards the sophisticated use of a media owner\u2019s first-party audience data.
\n \u2022 Example: A super-app using its proprietary transaction and browsing data to deliver highly targeted ad placements for a FMCG brand.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Rigorous data application, how proprietary insights informed the creative or optimised delivery, and demonstrable ROI for the brand.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”6. Best Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) Offering” admin_label=”6. Best Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) Offering” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards excellence in campaigns running on digital screens in public spaces.
\n \u2022 Example: A dynamic billboard that changes its messaging based on real-time weather triggers or live traffic data.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Dynamic creative executions, smart use of environmental triggers, and clear evidence of audience engagement or brand lift.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”7. Best Digital Publisher \/ Content Offering” admin_label=”7. Best Digital Publisher \/ Content Offering” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This celebrates campaigns executed across a digital publisher\u2019s ecosystem, including websites, apps, and newsletters.
\n \u2022 Example: A high-impact homepage takeover coupled with native editorial articles seamlessly blended into the publisher’s site.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Contextual relevance of the ad placements, integration of the brand into the editorial environment, and resulting traffic or engagement metrics.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”8. Best Event \/ Experiential Activation” admin_label=”8. Best Event \/ Experiential Activation” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards the best event or experiential activation created and delivered by a media owner to enhance a media partnership.
\n \u2022 Example: A pop-up festival or an exclusive VIP summit hosted by a lifestyle publisher for a brand partner.
\n \u2022 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.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”9. Best Geo-Targeted Media Offering” admin_label=”9. Best Geo-Targeted Media Offering” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]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.
\n \u2022 Example: Pushing mobile app notifications or displaying ads on specific screens only when users enter a 500-metre radius of a retail store.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: The strategic rationale behind location choices and the effectiveness of reaching that specific local audience.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”10. Best Government and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative” admin_label=”10. Best Government and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards campaigns that championed a government, social, environmental, or community cause.
\n \u2022 Example: A transit network donating prime advertising space to drive public awareness for a national recycling initiative.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Authenticity, strategic execution, how media inventory was utilised, and measurable real-world impact.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”11. Best Integrated Commerce Offering” admin_label=”11. Best Integrated Commerce Offering” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Designed for super-apps, delivery platforms, and marketplaces, this awards campaigns that seamlessly bridged media engagement with transactions in a non-traditional retail environment.
\n \u2022 Example: An interactive ad within a food delivery app that allows users to instantly add a promoted beverage to their current order.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: A frictionless user journey from ad exposure to purchase, and clear metrics on transaction volume or customer acquisition.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”12. Best Interactive Media Offering” admin_label=”12. Best Interactive Media Offering” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards campaigns that required active audience participation.
\n \u2022 Example: Gamified ads, AR\/VR experiences, shoppable video, or interactive DOOH screens that react to user movements.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: The user experience, the level of active engagement, and how the interaction drove the brand’s objectives.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”13. Best News Media Offering” admin_label=”13. Best News Media Offering” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\u2022 Example: A highly trusted, contextual sponsorship of an election coverage hub or a premium print wrap on a leading daily newspaper.
\u2022 Judges Will Consider: How the campaign leveraged the credibility and authority of the news platform to elevate brand trust, alongside measurable reach and engagement.<\/p>\n
\n \u2022 Example: Striking, large-format static billboards, transit shelter posters, or building murals.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Visual impact, strategic site selection, and how the physical placement captured audience attention and generated buzz.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”15. Best Retail Media Offering” admin_label=”15. Best Retail Media Offering” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Designed for traditional retailers monetising their physical and digital footprints.
\n \u2022 Example: A supermarket chain utilising its in-store audio, point-of-sale displays, and e-commerce search results to promote a specific FMCG brand.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Effective shopper marketing strategies, use of retail data, and direct impact on sales or basket size.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”16. Best Smart Media Offering” admin_label=”16. Best Smart Media Offering” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This category highlights media executions delivered through emerging connected devices and smart ecosystems.
\n \u2022 Example: Advertising seamlessly integrated into smart TV interfaces, connected EV dashboard screens, or IoT home devices.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Innovation in reaching audiences through non-traditional connected screens, user experience, and measurable engagement within the smart ecosystem.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”17. Best Social Media Amplification Strategy” admin_label=”17. Best Social Media Amplification Strategy” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This rewards media owners who effectively utilised their own social media channels to amplify a campaign.
\n \u2022 Example: A broadcaster using its highly followed Instagram and TikTok accounts to drive tune-ins and conversations for a brand-sponsored TV programme.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Social strategy, platform-specific formats, community engagement, shares, and extended reach.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”18. Best Sponsorship or Partnership Offering” admin_label=”18. Best Sponsorship or Partnership Offering” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This category recognises the most effective brand sponsorships of a media owner’s property.
\n \u2022 Example: A brand acting as the headline sponsor for a broadcaster’s flagship reality TV show, including product placement and co-branded promos.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: A natural brand fit, innovative integration beyond simple logo placement, and mutual value delivered to both the brand and the audience.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”19. Best Video \/ Streaming Offering” admin_label=”19. Best Video \/ Streaming Offering” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards campaigns executed across video-on-demand (VOD), OTT platforms, or digital video networks.
\n \u2022 Example: A non-skippable, highly targeted pre-roll campaign on a premium streaming service.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Creative use of the video format, audience targeting capabilities, and completion rates or subsequent audience actions.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_text admin_label=”TRACK 2: MEDIA STRATEGY & CONTENT” module_id=”Track-2″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_padding=”||1px|||” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nTRACK 2: MEDIA STRATEGY & CONTENT<\/h2>\n
\nEligible entities include:<\/strong> 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.
\nThe Differentiator:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n
\n \u2022 Example: A multi-part docuseries created by an agency for a brand, distributed across native editorial feeds and sponsored social posts.
\n \u2022 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.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”21. Best Creative Use of Media” admin_label=”21. Best Creative Use of Media” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This celebrates agencies that used a traditional media channel in an entirely unexpected or unconventional way.
\n \u2022 Example: Turning a standard print newspaper ad into a functional, foldable origami piece that serves as a product demonstration.
\n \u2022 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.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”22. Best Data-Driven Media Strategy” admin_label=”22. Best Data-Driven Media Strategy” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This rewards agencies that put data at the very heart of their media planning.
\n \u2022 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.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Sophisticated data application, how complex data sets dictated targeting and ongoing optimisation, and its direct correlation to campaign success.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”23. Best Digital Media Strategy” admin_label=”23. Best Digital Media Strategy” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This category awards exceptional planning and execution across the digital ecosystem.
\n \u2022 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.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: The full digital mix, how the channels worked together cohesively, and the digital KPIs achieved for the client.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”24. Best Gamification Strategy” admin_label=”24. Best Gamification Strategy” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards the innovation and effective use of game mechanics to increase participation and deepen engagement.
\n \u2022 Example: An agency creating an AR-based scavenger hunt requiring users to visit physical locations and scan codes to win digital rewards.
\n \u2022 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.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”25. Best Influencer \/ Creator Strategy” admin_label=”25. Best Influencer \/ Creator Strategy” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This recognises the most effective use of content creators and influencers within a media plan.
\n \u2022 Example: A tiered creator strategy pairing mega-influencers for reach with micro-influencers for niche community engagement, amplified by paid boosting.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Strategic talent selection, authenticity of the creator content, and how the agency amplified the assets through paid media to drive results.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”26. Best Integrated Media Strategy” admin_label=”26. Best Integrated Media Strategy” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This is the pinnacle category for multi-channel campaigns, where agencies orchestrated a complex mix across digital, traditional, and experiential touchpoints.
\n \u2022 Example: A campaign that seamlessly ties together TV commercials, OOH billboards, a live PR stunt, and targeted social media ads.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: A cohesive strategy, the specific role defined for each channel, and the overarching commercial impact achieved.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”27. Best Launch \/ Rebranding Media Strategy” admin_label=”27. Best Launch \/ Rebranding Media Strategy” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards the media strategy behind introducing a new product, service, or entirely new brand identity.
\n \u2022 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.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: How the media plan generated immediate mass awareness, managed audience education, and successfully shifted brand perception.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”28. Best Media Partnership Strategy” admin_label=”28. Best Media Partnership Strategy” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This rewards agencies that brokered highly effective collaborations between their client and a media owner or third-party brand.
\n \u2022 Example: Negotiating an exclusive, year-long content and event partnership between an automotive brand and a leading sports broadcasting network.
\n \u2022 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.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”29. Best Performance Media Strategy” admin_label=”29. Best Performance Media Strategy” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This category is strictly about the bottom line, awarding campaigns focused purely on conversion, lead generation, or sales.
\n \u2022 Example: A highly tactical, direct-response digital campaign for an e-commerce brand designed solely to drive immediate app downloads and purchases.
\n \u2022 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).[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”30. Best Public Awareness Media Strategy” admin_label=”30. Best Public Awareness Media Strategy” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This recognises media plans designed to educate the public, change behaviour, or promote a social cause.
\n \u2022 Example: An anti-smoking campaign strategically placed across channels that index highly with teenage demographics.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Sensitivity and reach of the messaging, strategic channel selection, and measurable shift in public awareness or action.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”31. Best Real-Time Media Strategy” admin_label=”31. Best Real-Time Media Strategy” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards agile media planning that capitalised on a live event, a cultural moment, or sudden market changes.
\n \u2022 Example: A brand launching a reactive, witty DOOH and social media campaign within hours of a major, unexpected sporting event outcome.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Speed of execution, relevance of the media response, and how the real-time activation captured outsized attention.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”32. Best Targeted Audience Strategy” admin_label=”32. Best Targeted Audience Strategy” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This focuses on campaigns designed to reach a highly niche, hard-to-find, or specific demographic.
\n \u2022 Example: A B2B campaign specifically targeting C-suite executives in the renewable energy sector across LinkedIn and niche trade publications.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Research and insights used to identify the audience, precision of media targeting, and effectiveness of engagement within that cohort.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”33. Best Use of Generative AI” admin_label=”33. Best Use of Generative AI” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This category honours campaigns where an agency utilised Generative AI to significantly enhance strategy, creative output, or media distribution.
\n \u2022 Example: Using GenAI tools to dynamically generate thousands of highly personalised, real-time ad copy variations based on user data.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: The innovative application of GenAI, how it improved efficiency or creativity, and the tangible uplift in campaign performance.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”34. Best Use of OOH \/ DOOH Media” admin_label=”34. Best Use of OOH \/ DOOH Media” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards the agency’s strategic planning and buying of the outdoor environment.
\n \u2022 Example: A programmatic DOOH campaign that successfully bought screens across multiple transport hubs to target commuters during rush hour.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: How the agency selected the physical inventory, integrated location data, and leveraged the medium to achieve specific objectives.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”35. Best Use of Storytelling” admin_label=”35. Best Use of Storytelling” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This category recognises campaigns that best used the power of storytelling to build emotional connections and capture attention through media and content formats.
\n \u2022 Example: A long-form video campaign that tells a compelling human-interest story, distributed systematically to build suspense and emotional resonance.
\n \u2022 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.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_text admin_label=”TRACK 3: TECHNOLOGY” module_id=”Track-3″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_padding=”||1px|||” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nTRACK 3: TECHNOLOGY<\/h2>\n
Eligible entities include:<\/strong> 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:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n
\n \u2022 Example: A predictive machine learning algorithm that analyses browsing habits to automatically adjust bid strategies in real-time.
\n \u2022 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.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”37. Best Use of Brand Safety & Governance Technology” admin_label=”37. Best Use of Brand Safety & Governance Technology” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This category highlights tools designed to protect advertisers from fraud and ensure their ads appear in suitable environments.
\n \u2022 Example: A verification software that uses advanced semantic analysis to block ads from appearing next to harmful or non-brand-compliant content.
\n \u2022 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.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”38. Best Use of Data Analytics” admin_label=”38. Best Use of Data Analytics” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards the use of data and analytics to turn fragmented information into actionable audience and media insights.
\n \u2022 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.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: How relevant datasets were unified and analysed, how insights translated into activation decisions, and how analytics improved media investment efficiency.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”39. Best Use of Location Intelligence” admin_label=”39. Best Use of Location Intelligence” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This recognises the application of spatial and location data technologies to drive media planning and measurement.
\n \u2022 Example: A platform that maps aggregated mobile SDK location data to measure offline footfall attribution resulting from an online ad campaign.
\n \u2022 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.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”40. Best Use of Performance Measurement” admin_label=”40. Best Use of Performance Measurement” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards measurement approaches that credibly demonstrate media contribution to business outcomes, especially in privacy-constrained environments.
\n \u2022 Example: A cross-channel attribution software that successfully operates without reliance on third-party cookies to prove media ROI.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Robustness of the methodology, cross-channel coverage, and how measurement learnings directly improved decision-making and delivered provable ROI impact.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”41. Best Use of Programmatic Technology” admin_label=”41. Best Use of Programmatic Technology” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This awards the most effective implementation of programmatic buying and\/or supply technologies to improve quality, efficiency, and results.
\n \u2022 Example: A custom DSP algorithm set up to drastically reduce supply path friction and lower CPMs while maintaining high viewability.
\n \u2022 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.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”42. Best Use of Retail Media Technology” admin_label=”42. Best Use of Retail Media Technology” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]This focuses on the software and tech infrastructure enabling retailers to monetise their ecosystems and advertisers to buy inventory.
\n \u2022 Example: A proprietary ad-serving platform built specifically for a supermarket\u2019s e-commerce app, allowing FMCG brands to bid for sponsored search placements.
\n \u2022 Judges Will Consider: Ease of integration, closed-loop measurement capabilities connecting ad spend to actual product sales, and the revenue or yield uplift provided.[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_text admin_label=”OVERALL CATEGORIES (NOT FOR ENTRY):” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nOVERALL CATEGORIES (NOT FOR ENTRY):<\/h2>\n
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Most gold:<\/strong> If total points are tied, the media entity with the highest number of gold awards wins.
Most silver:<\/strong> If gold awards are also tied, the media entity with the highest number of silver awards wins.
Highest average score:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n
Lead agency:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n