2026 Winners
A HUGE “Thank You,” to our partners Max Lux Media, MisMarissa Photography, and Dominic Macea for dedicating their time and talents to capture the 2026 AMA Sandie Awards!
Please give credit where credit is due when sharing.
Thank You to all 2026 Participants.
We extend our deepest gratitude to every participant who submitted their work. This year brought a record-breaking number of entries, each reflecting an exceptional level of creativity, strategy, and execution.
The caliber of submissions set a new standard, and the margin between winners was remarkably close—proof of the extraordinary talent within our community.
Thank you for raising the bar and inspiring what’s next.
Below are the top performers for each category.
Branding:
12 Entries
Cause Marketing/Non-Profit: In-House
4 Entries
Bronze
Carlsbad Educational Foundation & Groundmaking
Robopuffs Rising: Powering the Future of STEM Through Story, Equity, and Impact
Cause Marketing/Non-Profit: Agency
7 Entries
Silver
10 Years of Belonging: Reigniting Donor Engagement for PANA’s Next Chapter
Bronze
J. Walcher Communications + Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Jewish Family Service x J. Walcher Communications: Filling the Gap: Emergency Drive-Thru Food Relief
Digital Marketing
11 Entries
Silver
Mixte Communications + BoatUS Foundation
Before You Boat: A Digital Campaign for Smarter Boating
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
5 Entries
Event Marketing
6 Entries
Gold
San Diego International Airport
San Diego International Airport’s New T1: Opening Gala Celebration
Bronze
San Diego Tourism Authority + Visit Oceanside + Visit Carlsbad
A Taste of the San Diego Region: Exclusive Dinner at Platform by the James Beard Foundation
Experiential Marketing
4 Entries
Bronze
San Diego Tourism Authority + Disney CreativeWorks
SDTA x Nat Geo ‘Portraits of San Diego: A Culture of Happiness’
Influencer Marketing
4 Entries
Integrated Campaign: Agency
10 Entries
Integrated Campaign: In-House
6 Entries
Public Relations: Agency
5 Entries
Silver
Father’s Joe’s Villages & Mixte Communications
Owning the Narrative: Elevating Father Joe’s Villages as a Trusted Voice on Homelessness
Bronze
Clearpoint Ensures Consistent, Top-Tier Media Coverage for Options Data Provider in U.S. & Internationally
Public Relations: In-House
5 Entries
SEO/SEM:
5 Entries
Gold
From Page 5 to Page 1: How SolarTech Built a 30x Organic Growth Engine
Social Media:
7 Entries
Gold
Right Message, Right Moment: How the Flower Fields Spent Less and Earned More
Silver
Small Budget, Big Impact: Building Awareness for Carlsbad’s Educational Foundation
Video
6 Entries
Website: Agency
6 Entries
Gold
The Humanization of Data: Creating a Digital Platform for Global Pancreatic Cancer Research
Website: In-House
4 Entries
Best of Show
Game On Capturing Mexico’s Sports Tourism
Agency of the Year
Marketer of the Year
Theresa Nakata, San Diego Foundation
Trailblazer of the Year
Karen Devlin, Ignite Visibilty
Student Project Creative: Individual
9 Entries
Gold
Hannah Hajj
Bitchin’ Grip
Silver
Regina Gonzalez
USD AMA Website
Bronze
Zadie Nguyen
USD Career Development Center – Summer Internship Award Magazine
Student Project Creative: Group
5 Entries
Gold
Julianna Guel, Nahomi Garcia, Naomi Bradford, Georgia Russell, Monique Anne DedicatoriaLauren Nutter
The Ordinary AI App
Silver
Lauren Nutter, Ian Garcia, Emma Carnese, Aron Shipman, Ella Johnson
WavePoint Marketing: Operation Fleet Science Center
Bronze
Talia Proctor, Rebekah Baker, Lia Lee, Colby Gray, Erin Tia
MCG Campaign for the San Diego Air and Space Museum
Student Project Digital Marketing: Individual
5 Entries
Gold
Hannah Hajj
Bitchin’ Grip
Silver
Isabella VanderYacht
Casa de Amparo
Bronze
Kristiana Phillips
USD Pre-Vet Club Video
Student Project Digital Marketing: Group
5 Entries
Gold
Annitha Krishnan, Giovanna Morales
Classy Casita’s Sip & Swap Event
Silver
Taylor Peet, Tula Nicholson, Alexander Rivera, Giselle Miller Adams, Taylee McDaniel
Formed
Bronze
Bella Stone, Kristiana Phillips
My CAS Story: Briana Burton
Student Project Marketing Research & Strategy: Individual
5 Entries
Gold
Zadie Nguyen
Stylara: Transforming TV Advertising from Intuition to Data-Driven Growth
Silver
Riley Gustus
Akinyi Digital Marketing Plan
Bronze
Amanda Awaya
Akinyi Digital Marketing Plan
Student Project Marketing Research & Strategy: Group
7 Entries
Gold
Maha Al Sager, Madi Brown, Angella Aguilar, Elisa Gutierrez Salcedo,
How Can Stanley Maintain its Current Popularity and Continue to Grow Against its Competitors
Silver
Avery Felter, Kelli Kinder, Tyler Smith, Camarae Good, Bri Delgado, Jack Battin, Max Bishop, Matt Stein
Depop Marketing Campaign
Bronze
Isabelle VanderYacht, Brianna Julio, Amanda Amaya, Sean-Michael Oshiro, Hector Villegas
San Diego Maritime Museum Marketing Plan
AMA San Diego is dedicated to recognizing and uplifting our student members — the future marketing rockstars who may soon be part of your team. Before you post that position and get inundated with resumes, review these candidates who have already demonstrated excellence and dedication.
Photos and Videos will be posted soon!