If you work in the field of marketing, you know how competitive it can be. You may feel like you’re shouting at the top of your voice to get consumers interested in your company’s product or service – but everyone else is shouting, too.
Good marketing, however, allows you to stand out in that noisy crowd. Who makes up the best of the best? The following national and international marketing awards seek them out each year.
And if you work in marketing, you may recognize the names and know that these are among the best awards to put on a resume in order to market yourself! Check them out for a dose of inspiration.
Top U.S. Awards for Marketing
Good marketing can optimize your online presence; so can the recognition an award may bring. Check out the following U.S. marketing awards that topped our list.
American Advertising Awards
The ADDY Awards are the “largest and most representative competition” in the industry, with both student and professional categories. ADDYs often go to designers who aren’t afraid to broach tough subjects. For example, in 2022, one of the winners promoted a fictional funeral home with the message “Don’t get vaccinated.” Those who visited the website were directed to vaccine services – which saw a 22 percent increase in appointments.
Webby Awards
The New York Times called the Webby Awards “the internet’s highest honor.” Presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the Webbys launched in 1996, when the internet itself was just gaining traction. Winners often include collaborations by off- and online brands, like Burberry and Minecraft or Taco Bell and Doja Cat.
Clio Awards
The Clio Awards are given in a number of categories, including Fashion and Beauty, Sports, Music, Entertainment, Health, and “specialized verticals” – such as this year’s Cannabis category. Winners in 2022 included ads created for well-known international brands PlayStation, Apple, and Bacardi.
D&AD Awards
The Global Association for Creative Advertising and Design awards their so-called “yellow pencil, “the ultimate creative accolade,” to “the finest in design and advertising.” Categories include animation, book design, packaging design, typography, and more. The winners for 2023 include Dove’s Beauty Report Card, a charity’s ruminations on homelessness in the metaverse, and a CG animation featuring Pharrell Williams.
Effie Awards
“Effie” stands for “effectiveness in marketing.” Considered one of the most prestigious awards in the world, they are a barometer for measurable results. Their 2023 winners list reads like a listing of household names – Acura, Ford, Froot Loops, Skittles, Adobe, Instacart, and others.
One Show Awards
One Show is produced by the non-profit The One Club, which is also responsible for a handful of other awards. They, too, claim to be the most prestigious award in the industry, with “50 years of honoring global creative excellence.”
In 2023, one winner was “Missing Matoaka,” “an alternative audio track” for Disney’s Pocahontas that creates “a brand new story” with “new dialogue.” The project is “an act of decolonization” that sheds light on the genocide and sexual objectification of native peoples by European invaders.
MarCom Awards
The MarCom Awards strive to recognize “the creativity, hard work, and generosity” of industry leaders. The awards are administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP).
In 2022, print and digital winners included fewer multi million-dollar brands and more smaller players than other awards on this list. For example, veteran organizations and a university journal made the cut.
Summit International Awards
Summit Awards are given in three categories – the Summit Creative Award, Marketing Effectiveness Award, and Emerging Media Award. The latter is described as “pushing the bounds of the digital communication badlands,” fostering innovation and “driving digital media’s future.”
As with the MarCom Awards above, Summit’s winner’s list includes many non-profit organizations and smaller companies – and absolutely no big-name brands. This makes Summit the perfect platform for an up-and-coming marketer to stand out and get a toe-hold among the industry elites.
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
This five-day festival for advertising and creative communications professionals features awards announcements throughout. Their goal is to bring together creative people and recognize their greatest achievements so as to have a role in shaping the evolution of creativity – to ‘celebrate, facilitate, and substantiate creativity in all its forms.’ Scholarships and initiatives are offered to help students and professionals connect with other creatives at no cost.
In 2023, Spotify notably walked away with several awards, including the coveted Gold Lion.
Key Takeaways
There are many prestigious and coveted awards in the field of marketing. You can inspire your own creativity by viewing past and present winners. Nominations and submissions to these awards open on a yearly basis. Check out the requirements to see if you qualify, then get started on your next big marketing project. With a lot of hard work and a little luck, we might see you on stage next year!
