Categories

Advertising

When the ADC Annual Awards was first introduced in 1921, its advertising submissions were limited to magazine ads and posters. Fast-forward a century, and this discipline covers an ever-growing variety of mediums, from online video and branded entertainment to direct mail pieces and electronic billboards. But don't worry, there's still room for those magazine ads and posters.

ELIGIBILITY
All entries must have been released, printed, published, or aired for the first time between January 1, 2024 – February 28, 2025 in any country.

ADVERTISING TIERED ENTRY PRICING

*Please note that entries fees increase by $60 per entry after each deadline.

◊ Freelancers: $100.00 Single / $150.00 Series
◊ Company Size = 2-50 Employees: $300.00 Single / $450.00 Series
◊ Company Size = 51+ Employees: $500.00 Single / $650.00 Series

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
◊ An entry title and project credits are required on all entries.
◊ A client name is required for all categories. If the work was created for your own company or brand, please enter your company name into the client field.
◊ A detailed project description including background, creative idea, insights & strategy, execution and results is required.
◊ Each category accepts specific media types. All categories require judging media and at least one reference image.
◊ Judging Media: Required primary material and content that the jury will be judging.
◊ Supporting Media: Optional Secondary content that the jury may choose to review at their discretion
◊ Reference Images: Required image that reflects the content of your entry. These images may be used by ADC for promotional purposes. The jury will not see these images.

PAST WINNING ENTRIES

Categories

Advertising

Art Direction

ADV-101
Art Direction - Digital

A single (1) campaign that expresses craft in visual communication executed through interactive or mobile platforms.

ADV-102
Art Direction - Direct - Single

A single (1) advertisement distributed directly to consumers that expresses craft in visual communication.

ADV-103
Art Direction - Direct - Series

A campaign (2-10 assets) distributed directly to consumers that express craft in visual communication.

ADV-104
Art Direction - Motion

A single (1) or series (2-10) of online or broadcast video(s) that express craft in visual communication.

ADV-105
Art Direction - Poster Advertising - Single

A single (1) poster that expresses craft in overall visual communication.

ADV-106
Art Direction - Poster Advertising - Series

A series (2-10) of posters that express craft in overall visual communication.

ADV-107
Art Direction - Press / Print Advertising - Single

A single (1) press or print ad that expresses craft in visual communication.

ADV-108
Art Direction - Press / Print Advertising - Series

A series (2-10) of press or print ads that express craft in visual communication.

Advertising

Branded Content / Entertainment

ADV-109
Branded Content / Entertainment - Games

Brand integration into the content of a single (1) game.

ADV-110
Branded Content / Entertainment - Online Video - Long Form

Brand integration into the content of a single (1) or series (2-10) of web commercials that are 5 minutes or longer.

ADV-111
Branded Content / Entertainment - Online Video - Short Form

Brand integration into the content of a single (1) or series (2-10) of web commercials that are 5 minutes or shorter.

ADV-112
Branded Content / Entertainment - TV / Film

Brand integration into a single (1) piece of content or a series (2-10) of content aired on television or streaming platform.

ADV-113
Branded Content / Entertainment - Episodic Web Series

Brand integration into content executed through a series (2-10) of connected installments.

Advertising

Craft in Video

ADV-114
Craft in Video - Animation - Single

Simulation of movement created by displaying sequential frames within a single (1) video.

ADV-115
Craft in Video - Animation - Series

Simulation of movement created by displaying sequential frames within a series (2-10) of videos.

ADV-116
Craft in Video - Cinematography

Movement of the camera, framing, lighting and filming choices within a single (1) video or series (2-10) of videos.

ADV-117
Craft in Video - Direction - Single

Overall creative visualization and realization of a single (1) video.

ADV-118
Craft in Video - Direction - Series

Overall creative visualization and realization of a series (2-10) of videos.

ADV-119
Craft in Video - Editing

Structure and timing of shots within a single (1) video or series (2-10) of videos.

ADV-120
Craft in Video - Sound Design

The process of specifying, acquiring, manipulating or generating audio elements for a single (1) video or series (2-10) of videos.

ADV-121
Craft in Video - Special Effects

Simulation of imagery within a single (1) video or series (2-10) of videos.

ADV-122
Craft in Video - Title Design

Design of identity and credits for single (1) television, film, streaming or online broadcast.

Advertising

Craft in Writing

ADV-123
Craft in Writing - Direct

Artistry in writing for a single (1) targeted advertisement or series (2-10) of targeted advertisements.

ADV-124
Craft in Writing - TV / Film / Video

Artistry in writing for a single (1) video or series (2-10) of videos.

ADV-125
Craft in Writing - Online / Social

Artistry in writing for single (1) online or social media project.

ADV-126
Craft in Writing - Outdoor

Artistry in writing for a single (1) or series (2-10) of out of home advertisements.

ADV-127
Craft in Writing - Press

Artistry in writing for a single (1) or series (2-10) of press advertisements.

Advertising

Direct

ADV-128
Direct - Digital - Single

A single (1) advertisement utilizing an interactive platform distributed directly to consumers.

ADV-129
Direct - Digital - Series

Targeted advertising series (2-10) utilizing an interactive platform.

ADV-130
Direct - Mail

A single (1) advertisement or campaign (2-10 assets) distributed directly to consumers via physical or digital mail.

ADV-131
Direct - Wildcard

A single (1) advertisement or campaign (2-10 assets) distributed directly to consumers via alternative means.

Advertising

Innovation

ADV-132
Innovation - Branded Content / Entertainment

A single (1) or series (2-10) of branded content that pushes creative boundaries.

ADV-133
Innovation - Direct

A single (1) or series (2-10) of direct advertising that pushes creative boundaries.

ADV-134
Innovation - Out of Home

A single (1) or series (2-10) of out of home advertising that pushes creative boundaries.

ADV-135
Innovation - Press

A single (1) or series (2-10) of press advertising that pushes creative boundaries.

ADV-136
Innovation - Promotional Materials

A single (1) or series (2-10) of promotional materials that push creative boundaries.

ADV-137
Innovation - Television / Film / Online Video

A single (1) or series (2-10) of television, film or online video content that pushes creative boundaries.

Advertising

Integrated

ADV-138
Integrated - Traditional

An integrated series (2-10) judged firstly on traditional media with support by other media types.

Advertising

Out of Home

ADV-139
Out of Home - Point of Purchase

A single (1) or series (2-10) of promotional materials placed at the point-of-sale. May include posters, signage, displays, etc.

ADV-140
Out of Home - Poster - Single

A single (1) branded poster intended to promote a service or product.

ADV-141
Out of Home - Poster - Series

A series (2-10) of branded posters intended to promote a service or product.

ADV-142
Out of Home - Print / Electronic Billboard - Single

A single (1) printed or digital billboard.

ADV-143
Out of Home - Print / Electronic Billboard - Series

A series (2-10) of printed or digital billboards.

ADV-144
Out of Home - Transit - Single

A single (1) ad that appears on or around any mode of public transportation.

ADV-145
Out of Home - Transit - Series

A series (2-10) of ads that appear on or around any mode of public transportation.

Advertising

Press

ADV-146
Press - Magazine - Single

A single (1) advertisement distributed within a trade or consumer magazine.

ADV-147
Press - Magazine - Series

An advertising series (2-10) distributed within a trade or consumer magazine.

ADV-148
Press - Newspaper - Single

A single (1) advertisement distributed within a trade or consumer newspaper.

ADV-149
Press - Newspaper - Series

An advertising series (2-10) distributed within a trade or consumer newspaper.

Advertising

Promotional Materials

ADV-150
Promotional Materials - Dimensional

A single (1) or series (2-10) of 3-D, physical pieces of advertising.

ADV-151
Promotional Materials - Flat

A single (1) or series (2-10) of 2-D, physical pieces of advertising.

ADV-152
Promotional Materials - Point of Purchase Display

A single (1) or series (2-10) of displays and/or installations at point of sale.

Advertising

Storytelling

ADV-153
Storytelling - Drama

Creative storytelling in a single (1) or series (2-10) of advertisements intended to explore emotions and experiences.

ADV-154
Storytelling - Humor

Creative storytelling in a single (1) or series (2-10) of advertisements intended to make audiences laugh.

Advertising

Television / Film / Online Video

ADV-155
Television / Film / Online Video - Movie Trailer

A single (1) preview of a film.

ADV-156
Television / Film / Online Video - Film - Single

A single (1) video screened in movie theaters or through streaming services.

ADV-157
Television / Film / Online Video - Film - Series

A series (2-10) of video screened in movie theaters or through streaming services.

ADV-158
Television / Film / Online Video - Online - Single

A single (1) video distributed online.

ADV-159
Television / Film / Online Video - Online - Series

A series (2-10) of videos distributed online.

ADV-160
Television / Film / Online Video - Low Budget

A single (1) or series (2-10) of videos that utilized a production budget of under $100,000 USD per video. NOTE: Entries must provide the production budget (in USD) and an explanation of how it was applied.

ADV-161
Television / Film / Online Video - Television - Single

A single (1) video aired on a cable or broadcast network.

ADV-162
Television / Film / Online Video - Television - Series

A series (2-10) of videos aired on a cable or broadcast network.

Advertising

Design for Good

DFG-101
Design for Good - Advertising - Single

A single ad (1) that encourages positive societal or political change. Includes video, out of home, press, direct advertising, etc.

DFG-102
Design for Good - Advertising - Series

An advertising series (2-10) that encourages positive societal or political change. Includes video, out of home, press, direct advertising, etc.