Media owner awards (3) 

These categories recognize excellence in an integrated, modern sales approach at North American media companies. For each category and entry, judges will consider:

• Strategic use of digital and traditional assets across the media landscape.
• Originality and innovation in ad products, data and integrated sales approaches.
• Ability to drive revenue while meeting client objectives. 
• Service and support that helps build long-term client relationships.

Entry form

For each submission we will be looking for you to answer three sections which should take into consideration your specific category criteria below: 

1. Overview: Tell us what your objectives were that you set out to achieve - 300 words
2. Strategy: Tell us how you planned to meet those objectives - 200 words
3. Outcome: Tell us about the results - 200 words 

Best media strategy - under $500k

This award recognizes strategic excellence underpinning a media sales plan under $500,000 that both meets client needs and delivers on business goals. Judges will look for:

• A strategic insight underpinning a sales plan tailored to client business goals. 
• Seamless use of cross-channel media properties to deliver on client goals. 
• A consultative approach to sales that takes the client business objectives into context during development execution.
• Ability to deliver on client KPIs underpinned by strong results.  

Best media strategy - $500k - $1M

This award recognizes strategic excellence underpinning a media sales plan under $1 million that both meets client needs and delivers on business goals. Judges will look for:

• A strategic insight underpinning a sales plan tailored to client business goals. 
• Seamless use of cross-channel media properties to deliver on client goals. 
• A consultative approach to sales that takes the client business objectives into context during development execution.
• Ability to deliver on client KPIs underpinned by strong results.  

Best media strategy - more than $1M

This award recognizes strategic excellence underpinning a media sales plan more than $1 million that both meets client needs and delivers on business goals. Judges will look for:

• A strategic insight underpinning a sales plan tailored to client business goals. 
• Seamless use of cross-channel media properties to deliver on client goals. 
• A consultative approach to sales that takes the client business objectives into context during development execution.
• Ability to deliver on client KPIs underpinned by strong results.  

Agency categories (3) 

These categories recognize excellence in strategic planning, buying and measurement at North American media agencies. For each category and entry, judges will consider:

• Depth of understanding of the current media landscape.
• Originality and innovation in generating insights and media planning. 
• Ability to deliver ROI and drive client growth.
• Use of data and analytics to identify key audiences and measure campaign success.

Entry form

For each submission we ask you to answer three sections, which should take into consideration your specific category criteria below: 

1. Overview: Tell us what your objectives were that you set out to achieve - 300 words
2. Strategy: Tell us how you planned to meet those objectives - 200 words
3. Outcome: Tell us about the results - 200 words 

Best media strategy - under $500k

This award recognizes strategic excellence underpinning a media plan under $500,000 that meets client objectives and efficiently and effectively drives business. Judges will look for:

• A strategic insight underpinning the media plan, tailored to client business goals. 
• Seamless use of cross-channel media properties to deliver on client goals. 
• A consultative, data and research-based approach to media planning and execution.
• Ability to deliver on client KPIs underpinned by strong results.  

Best media strategy - $500k - $1M

This award recognizes strategic excellence underpinning a media plan under $1 million that meets client objectives and efficiently and effectively drives business. Judges will look for:

• A strategic insight underpinning the media plan, tailored to client business goals. 
• Seamless use of cross-channel media properties to deliver on client goals. 
• A consultative, data and research-based approach to media planning and execution.
• Ability to deliver on client KPIs underpinned by strong results.  

Best media strategy - more than $1M

This award recognizes strategic excellence underpinning a media plan more than $1 million that meets client objectives and efficiently and effectively drives business. Judges will look for:

• A strategic insight underpinning the media plan, tailored to client business goals. 
• Seamless use of cross-channel media properties to deliver on client goals. 
• A consultative, data and research-based approach to media planning and execution.
• Ability to deliver on client KPIs underpinned by strong results.  

Innovation awards (4) 

These categories recognize excellence in an innovative modern sales, planning, or buying approach at North American media companies and agencies. For each category and entry, judges will consider:

• Strategic use of digital and traditional assets across the media landscape
• Originality and innovation in ad products, data and integrated sales/planning approaches
• Ability to drive revenue while meeting client objectives 
• Service and support that helps build long-term client relationships

Entry form

For each submission we will be looking for you to answer three sections which should take into consideration your specific category criteria below: 

1. Overview: Tell us what your objectives were that you set out to achieve - 300 words
2. Strategy: Tell us how you planned to meet those objectives - 200 words
3. Outcome: Tell us about the results - 200 words 

Best use of data

This award recognizes the most creative use of data by a media agency or sales team to inform a cross-channel campaign. Judges will evaluate campaigns based on:

• Use of data at the heart of the media plan. 
• Ability to derive an unexpected insight and build a strategic media plan around it.
• Optimization of campaigns to drive ROI or brand goals. 
• Use of expected or original data sources to inform campaign plans and buys.

Best use of digital/programmatic

This award recognizes media buying and/or sales plans that take a strategic approach to cross-channel, multi-format digital or programmatic media. Judges will look for:

• A coordinated sales and/or planning and buying approach to deliver on revenue and/or client goals.
• Strategic understanding of agency and client and/or business needs across channels.
• White glove service for agencies/clients using your tools or products to deliver client results.
• Ability to engage brands in unique features, ad formats or audiences and measure success on the back end.

Best integrated storytelling 

This category recognizes agencies and campaigns that use integrated media plans to support or add to creative storytelling. Judges will evaluate campaigns based on: 

• Ability to support and orchestrate a consistent story across multiple media channels. 
• Collaboration with creative teams to put media at the heart of the brand story. 
• Ability to balance strategy and craft to deliver on client business objectives. 

Best use of audio

This award recognizes media agencies that make the best use of full-funnel audio campaigns, from radio to podcasts to voice. Judges will evaluate entrant’s ability to:

• Strategic thinking and use of data in the planning phase. 
• Securement of unique partnerships and placements. 
• Use of different audio formats across the funnel of radio, podcasts, music, voice.
• Leverage unique and emerging ad formats on podcasts or digital audio. 
• Deliver on client goals efficiently and effectively and measure results. 
• Use new creative techniques in reaching consumers through audio mediums.

People/team awards (4)

These categories recognize the talent making the biggest impact in the North American media industry today. Entrants will be judged on:

• A deft understanding of the current media landscape.
• Original thinking and strategic approaches to media planning, buying and selling.
• Proven and consistent ability to deliver against objectives.
• Specific examples of how this person has stood out among peers.

Entry form: 

For each submission we will be looking for you to answer three sections which should take into consideration your specific category criteria below: 

1. Overview: Tell us about the person (career and personal history) - 300 words
2. The work: Tell us about a specific achievement during the eligibility period - 200 words
3. The future: Tell us about what might be in store for this person - 200 words 

Rising star - agency

This award recognizes exceptional young talent in media planning and buying. Judges will look for: 

• Significant contribution to an effective and efficient media plan for a client.
• Strategic understanding of how to leverage media assets holistically for a brand. 
• Deft understanding of client needs and how to deliver on them.

Rising star - media sales

This award recognizes exceptional young talent in media sales. Judges will look for: 

• Recent achievements or contributions to a major sales initiative. 
• Ability to use media to drive revenue across multiple campaigns.
• Strategic understanding of how to leverage media assets holistically for a brand client.
• Deft understanding of publisher revenue needs and how to deliver on them.

Planning and buying team of the year 

This award recognizes agency teams that delivered breakthrough, creative and effective media campaigns this year, while delivering on client growth objectives. Judges will look for:

• Demonstrated ability to consistently negotiate, optimize and target media buys that reach key audiences and drive client business outcomes. 
• Outstanding ability to navigate the media marketplace across channels.
• Execution of breakthrough campaigns that reach key audiences and move the needle for brands long-term.
• Hands on support for clients and teams to deliver desired outcomes.

Sales team of the year

This award honors outstanding work by a media sales team to build relationships with clients and drive revenue growth. Judges will look for:

• Ability to leverage integrated media assets to deliver consistent revenue growth. 
• Proven satisfaction among brands and clients, supported by testimonials.
• Innovation in sales approaches or ad products that drove results.
• Structures and approaches that aid in delivering on sales goals.