Entry Categories

Branding

In-House or Agency

The apex of modern brand creation and management whether new or a rebrand, this work reflects the direction and intent of an intelligent B2B or B2C branding business strategy. Campaigns can include new brands and rebrands. Submissions will be judged with a Marketing sense; if KPIs are not available, entries should clearly convey challenge, objectives, creative strategy, and cohesive execution.

Cause Marketing/Non-profit

This award honors the campaigns that make an impact beyond profit. Recognizing outstanding marketing initiatives that drive awareness, engagement, and positive change for a social cause or nonprofit organization, this category celebrates the power of creativity used for good. From inspiring community action to advancing a mission that matters, the winning entry demonstrates measurable results and heartfelt storytelling that moves audiences to make a difference.

Digital Marketing Campaign

Direct-to-Consumer or Direct-to-Business

Digital marketing campaigns involve using online platforms, tools, and strategies to promote products, services, or brands. These campaigns may include elements such as social media marketing, SEO and SEM, content marketing, email marketing, online advertising, and more.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Honors outstanding campaigns that embed and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion into their marketing campaigns. Specifically, these campaigns feature people of/from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, experiences and the marketing helps to challenge deep, systemic and/or structural issues impacting historically underserved and underrepresented communities to help facilitate important worldly discussions.

Event Marketing

Targets successful event marketing experiences across the board, spanning webinars, conferences, concerts, celebrations, fundraisers, etc., that had a lasting and positive impact on the attendees and strengthened brand awareness and loyalty.

Experiential Marketing

Marketing efforts to connect with consumers through memorable, delightful experiences. Also referred to as experiential brand marketing, grassroots marketing, engagement marketing, or live marketing.

Influencer Marketing

Whether it was influencer tactics, harnessing your devoted fan base, or using your PR skills to get media coverage, this effort caught attention in a big way.

Integrated Campaign

In-House or Agency

Cross-platform campaigns, B2B or B2C, that take a wider view of the market and raise the bar on every stage for business.

Public Relations

Recognizes submissions that deliver excellence for all elements of communications and integrated public relations.

Public Relations can also include employer branding or brand awareness collaterals, like recruitment brochures, media kits, press kits, one-pagers, fact sheets, newsletters, or any materials created to support external storytelling and reputation building.

SEO/SEM

Excellence in search engine optimization, whether technical elements, on-page content, or off-page factors, that delivered outstanding results, with enhanced website visibility and/or business visibility in search engines and significant increases in website visitor traffic and engagement. Excellence in search engine marketing strategies of paid media, PPC, customer acquisition and ecommerce.

Social Media

Best social media strategy and campaign implementation that have successfully achieved campaign goals on behalf of brand.

Video

In-House or Agency

Focuses on brilliant concept, production, and use of video, whether it is part of a social media campaign, website, streaming on the web or television campaign.

Website

B2B or B2C

Best designed websites that met a brand/client’s needs and goals. Entries will be reviewed for design, ease of use, copywriting, interactivity, use of technology, innovation, and content.

Agency of the Year

Celebrates a San Diego agency that deserves top marks for their impact on the marketing community through innovative ideas, strategies, concepts, campaigns, and overall leadership. This agency supports and serves San Diego as an inspiration for all marketers, companies, and industry leaders. Nominate someone you feel deserves to receive this honor!

Marketer of the Year

Celebrates an individual San Diego marketer who, through their contributions of outstanding ideas, strategies, concepts, campaigns, and overall leadership has served as an inspiration for all marketers and a shining example of the very best of marketing professionalism and accomplishment in the past year. Nominate someone you feel deserves to receive this honor!

Trailblazer of the Year

Recognizes an individual or team that has demonstrated exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact within the marketing industry over the past year. This award honors someone who has broken new ground with creative strategies, embraced emerging technologies, or set new industry standards. They have shown a commitment to pushing boundaries, driving results, and inspiring others in the marketing field through their visionary approach and ability to adapt to evolving trends and challenges. Nominate someone you feel deserves to receive this honor!