The marketing world is abuzz with anticipation as the 2026 Adweek Agency of the Year Awards open for submissions. This prestigious event recognizes agencies that push boundaries, drive innovation, and deliver exceptional results for their clients. From established industry leaders to emerging talents, the awards celebrate the best in creative excellencemedia strategyand performance marketing.
This year, the awards introduce new categories to honor the evolving landscape of marketing. Agencies specializing in media and performance marketing can now compete for recognition in their respective fields. The judging panel, comprising the Adweek editorial teamwill evaluate entries based on business resultscreative excellencetalent developmentleadershipinnovationand impact.
New Categories for 2026
The 2026 awards introduce four new categories to reflect the dynamic nature of the marketing industry:
- Global Media Agency of the YearFor agencies operating in multiple countries, demonstrating a consistent ability to deliver culturally relevant campaigns.
- U.S. Media Agency of the YearFor U.S.-based agencies excelling in media planning, buying, and strategy.
- Independent Media Agency of the YearFor independently owned agencies specializing in media planning and strategy.
- Performance Marketing Agency of the YearFor agencies demonstrating a strong command of paid media, search, programmatic, and other performance channels.
Categories and Criteria
The awards feature a range of categories to recognize agencies of all sizes and specialties. Here are some of the key categories and their criteria:
Creative Agencies
- Global Creative AgencyOpen to agencies operating in multiple countries, demonstrating culturally relevant and high-impact campaigns.
- U.S. Creative AgencyFor U.S.-based agencies showcasing outstanding performance, creative innovation, and measurable results.
- Midsize Creative AgencyFor agencies with 150 to 500 employees, highlighting extraordinary creativity, client impact, and business growth.
- Small Creative AgencyFor agencies with fewer than 150 employees, delivering big results with leaner teams.
- Breakthrough Creative AgencyFor agencies launched in the last five years, experiencing a breakout year in 2026.
- Multicultural Creative AgencyFor agencies leading with cultural insight and authenticity to create resonant work.
- Independent Creative AgencyFor agencies not owned by a holding company, thriving creatively and commercially on their own terms.
- Innovation AgencyFor agencies pushing boundaries using technology, data, and AI to help clients get ahead.
- Creator/Influencer AgencyFor agencies at the forefront of social-first, influencer marketing, driving engagement and delivering real results.
Media Agencies
- Global Media AgencyFor agencies with a multinational presence, specializing in media planning, buying, and strategy.
- U.S. Media AgencyFor U.S.-headquartered agencies specializing in media planning, buying, and strategy.
- Independent Media AgencyFor independently owned agencies specializing in media planning and strategy.
Key Dates and Submission Details
Entries must be submitted through the official submission portal. The key dates for submissions are as follows:
- Early Bird Deadline$375 until July 17, 2026
- Standard Deadline$425 until August 14, 2026
- Extended Deadline$475 until September 11, 2026
The shortlist will be published on in October, and the winners will be announced in a special feature package in the December issue on December 8, 2026. Additionally, one winning agency will have the opportunity to design the magazine cover for that month.
For any questions or extensions, contact pj.bernacki@.
