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General Masters of Marketing Brand Awards Information
How do I enter?
The Entry Period for the 2027 ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards begins on October 20, 2026 and ends February 26, 2027.
The entry process begins by creating an account via the 2027 ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards homepage. Once you create a username and password (ANA members will use their ANA.net login credentials), you can begin the submission process. You may save and return to your work at any time during the Call for Entries period.
*Note: Word processing programs often include hidden formatting characters that can cause issues with word or character counting across different programs. If you are experiencing this, simply copy and paste your content from the source into Notepad (removing all hidden formatting) and paste into the text box.
Once you have completed your entry, you will be prompted to finalize and pay your entry fee(s) before the final deadline. If payment for an entry is not submitted by the deadline, it will not qualify to be included in the subsequent judging rounds and will be removed from the competition.
When are the deadlines to enter?
- Early-Bird Deadline: December 11, 2026
- Standard Deadline: January 29, 2027
- Final Deadline: February 26, 2027
What are the entry fees for each entry?
ANA Member / Non-Member
- Up to Early-Bird Deadline: $645 / $845
- Standard Deadline: $845 / $1,045
- After Standard and up to Final Deadline: $1,045 / $1,245
- Brand GEM Award Category: $350
- Entry Audit: $300
- Visit our Entry Audit page to learn more about what judges have to say about your submission.
The payment options for the ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards are:
- Credit Card: Accepted cards include: Visa, MasterCard and American Express
- Check: Please make payable to Association of National Advertisers, Inc. with entry ID#(s) clearly marked on the check and mail to:
Association of National Advertisers, Inc.
c/o ANA Awards - Masters of Marketing Brand Awards
ATT: Finance Department
155 East 44th Street
New York, NY 10017
- Wire/ACH: Please make sure your entry ID # (or numbers) is included in the wire and send to Association of National Advertisers, Inc via:
Citibank
153 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022
ABA Number: 021000089
Account #: 6794052888
*Please note: Once an entry has been submitted and payment processed, refunds will only be issued due to extenuating circumstances. Disqualified submissions will be refunded. Your entry ID # can be found in the email sent to you on your entry submission. For your records, ANA's Federal ID # is 13-0453230.
I am an ANA member. How do I ensure I get the member rate for my entry fee?
ANA member rates are automatically applied for ANA members when logged into the application portal using their ANA.net login credentials. Using separate login credentials may result in the non-member rate being applied to your application(s). Please contact brandawards@ana.net if you experience any issues receiving the appropriate rate for your entries.
Who can submit an entry?
Anyone involved in brand marketing/brand activation including but not limited to client side marketers, any type of marketing, advertising and promotion agencies, in-house agencies, retailers, media companies and service providers, etc. All ANA members as well as non-members are eligible to enter the Masters of Marketing Brand Awards.
What campaigns are eligible?
Marketing efforts that ran in one market anywhere in the world between August 1, 2025 – February 19, 2027, and achieved positive results within that window. You may enter campaigns that started before and/or continue beyond that window as long as your case submission is focused on the marketplace environment and campaign achievements realized within the eligibility timeframe.
All entries must be submitted in English, but creative containing all languages are welcome. Please be sure to include English translations for creative materials presented in other languages.
What campaigns are eligible for the Brand GEM Award?
Any submission into the 2027 Masters of Marketing Brand Awards may also enter the Brand GEM Award. A check box is available in the entry system to have your submission(s) considered for this award. GEM Award contenders will have their creative work go through the GEM® testing process* to provide a shortlist of finalists, with the Brand GEM Award going to the top three submissions achieving the highest GEM® scores. Click here to learn more about the Brand GEM Award.
Brand GEM® Awards category finalists received a full GEM® Report on their submission(s) which will provide insight into the key themes and drivers of their GEM® Score.
Currently GEM® testing is available to ANA Cultural Leadership Alliance member companies, and will be made available to ANA members on a limited basis, however, this is an exclusive opportunity for Masters of Marketing Brand Award entrants to obtain a complete GEM® analysis at a fraction of the cost, regardless of their membership status.
Creative Requirements:
- All executions must include women and/or girls (animated/virtual humans not applicable)
- Any type of creative (print, display, video, etc), for any platform (linear, digital, or social) is acceptable, however VIDEO creative is strongly recommended. Single, isolated, stand-alone unique full-form execution(s) as it ran in market - as the target audience experienced it - is required. (Edited versions, compilation/sizzle/case study reels are not acceptable)
- For video submissions, each individual video creative example must not exceed two minutes.
- Up to 2 examples are allowed
Fee
There is a flat fee of $350 per submission into the ANA Brand GEM specialty category.
Can I submit more than one entry?
Yes, you can enter as many entries in as many categories as you wish.
Often, campaigns will involve multiple marketing techniques that could fit into more than one category that are worthy of individual recognition.
If you choose to enter the same campaign in multiple categories, you will be asked to explain how it fits into the parameters of each. Entering your campaign into more than one category will increase your chances of winning, but it is important to clearly explain why it is appropriate for each to improve your chances with the judges.
How easy is it to enter the ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards?
The ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards system is easy to use and leads you clearly through the entry process. You will be able to register, submit your application, and copy your campaigns into various categories with one fluid process. We also have a preview entry form available so you can gather all the correct material prior to beginning your online entry.
What do I need in order to complete my entry?
In order to enter the ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards, you will need to fully complete the entry submission form and any additional questions required based on your selected category. Please refer to sample entry form for a preview of the entry process.
All entries to the 2027 ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards must answer the following questions:
- Project Overview/Objectives (200 words maximum)
Provide context for the purpose of the project and share the primary objectives for the effort. - Target Audience (100 words maximum)
Briefly describe the primary audience for this work, including relevant demographic, geographic, behavioral or attitudinal characteristics. - Key Insights and Strategy (300 words maximum)
Share the key insights that were realized and how they were applied. - Concept/Big Idea (300 words maximum)
Unveil your BIG idea to us here, as simply as possible. We are looking for you to impress us and excite us with the "ah-ha" solution you developed. - Tactics/Execution (200 words maximum)
Describe how you brought your idea to life. - Results and Impact (300 words maximum)
Describe how the work contributed to business, brand, consumer, organizational, or operational outcomes. Quantitative results are encouraged but not required. We understand there may be concerns with sharing actual figures in the entry. Insights regarding the impact of the work can be provided as indexes or percentages. - OPTIONAL - Additional Information, Insights, Comments (100 words maximum)
Share any information that provides additional context for the judges.
Please note: On the entry form you will be asked for additional data points regarding duration of campaign, channels, tactics, touchpoints, industry sector, and team structure. Several categories all contain additional questions to answer for greater context into your work.
Here is the list of creative specifications for your creative files:
- Image Files: Submit images in PDF, GIF, PNG, or JPG format.
- Audio Files: Submit audio files in MP3, MP4, WAV, or WMA format.
- Video Files:
- Format: WMA/WMV files are not accepted.
- Codec: ProRes 422, H.264, MP4, M4V, or uncompressed MOV
- Resolution: 1920x1080 or 1280x720 for 16:9 format; 1440x1080 or 960x720 for 4:3 format. File should be at least 100MB per 60 seconds of video.
- Length: Video to be limited to 180 seconds, with a suggested runtime of 120 seconds.
- If your marketing effort includes commercials/video elements, be sure to include the full 60-, 30-, etc. second spot to reflect how the target audience experienced it. For longer video elements, be sure to cap at 180 seconds.
- Case study videos are allowed and tend to be well received by the judges.
Do NOT include the agency name (or indicate/mention the name of the agency) except where specifically indicated on the entry form. Any mention of the submitting agency in the body of the Entry Form is grounds for disqualification.
To support you further, we’ve created an Awards Submissions Checklist to help make the process as effective, efficient, and successful as possible for you and your team.
How do I submit multiple entries? Can I submit the same entry into more than one category?
The application system will allow you to submit more than one entry. If there are major differences between your entries, you will likely want to begin a new entry from scratch. You can do so by clicking on the "Make Another Application" link on the left-hand side of the submission page; this will create a blank application, and you can enter information that is completely new. You also have the option of copying your entry by clicking the "Copy Submission" link in your account.
You have two options to choose from that will allow you to accomplish this. Please follow the instructions that pertain to you.
If you are submitting a new campaign, you will want to begin a new entry from scratch. You can do so by clicking on the "START ENTRY" selection on the upper menu. This will create a blank application, and you can enter information that is completely new.
If you are submitting the same campaign into another category(s) entries are very similar, go to the completed application and select "Copy Application".
*Alternatively, you will have the option to check a box to submit a completed entry to another category at the bottom of the form. Once the box is checked, select "Add to Cart" and you will be directed to a new page where you can choose the additional category(s).
Note: Only submissions that are fully completed can be duplicated. Once you have added your submission to your shopping cart, it will appear as complete under your "My Applications" link on the left side of your screen. You will then see an option to "Copy Application" into another category. This will add the copied submission into your incomplete list and allow you to edit it by clicking on the "Edit" link under "Action". Remember to select the new category and update any questions that are category specific.
Is there a sample entry form that I can review and fill out offline?
Yes, please click below to download our sample forms in either Word or PDF format. There are multiple forms to choose from based on the categories you want to enter.
- Sample Entry Form for General Categories (Word)
- Sample Entry Form for General Categories (PDF)
*Please note these are only for you and your team to use offline to help you prepare your submissions. You cannot submit the Word document. All elements of your entries will need to be directly typed into the entry system portal.
Can I view my submission before finalizing?
You can view your in-progress application by clicking on the "My Applications" link on the left side of your account and click "Edit" to make updates.
How often can I edit my entry?
You have access to edit and update your entry as often as you would like until you "Checkout" (finalize and pay for any entries in your shopping cart). Once you have submitted your entry, you will have access to the read-only file. All entries must be finalized and submitted before the deadline. All entries not finalized before the deadline will not be judged.
To edit your entry, log-in to your account and you will see all the entries you have in your account. Click on “Edit” on any of the entries listed to make changes to your submission.
Can I submit a link/URL of a website or microsite that was used in the campaign?
Yes, you can enter a link in the URL field in your entry. However, please be sure the link is live and will be live until at least July 30, 2027. Some judges prefer viewing all the materials in the submission and not linking to a separate window, so we recommend taking screen grabs of the site and putting them in a PDF and uploading the PDF to your submission if possible.
Can I print my ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards entry?
Yes. In order to print your entry while you are still working on it, please press the 'Ctrl' key and the 'P' key. This will print the page you are on. Please click through each page of your application and press 'Ctrl + P' to print each part.
Once your entry is marked as "Complete", you will be able to print your entire ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards entry at once. In order to complete your entry, you must "Checkout" and pay for your entry. Then you will be able to print using the "Print" link.
What are the entry requirements?
- The executions included in your application must have been implemented between August 1, 2025 – January 31, 2027
- Entry materials must be submitted through the online entry form
- No physical submission required
- The work samples included in your application must provide downloadable files or URLs for links to websites
- Open-ended response fields are each limited in characters, so please be mindful when drafting descriptions
Can multiple people work together on the same application from different devices?
Multiple people can be added as collaborators on the same application, but it is not recommended that applications are opened and accessed at the same time. Doing so could create overlapping workstreams that result in overwritten work and loss of application progress. It is recommended that applications are opened one at a time per person.
To add a collaborator, at the top of each submission form, the primary applicant will have the option to add and manage collaborators, allowing multiple team members to have access to edit an application. In order to be added as a collaborator, your teammate(s) must also have an awards platform profile. To login or create a new profile, click here.
How do I write an award-winning submission?
ANA Members have exclusive access to award-winning case study summaries of recent award winning campaigns here, and can visit the ANA Marketing Knowledge Center to review award winning case studies from all ANA Award Programs. Watch our awards webinar rewind for a step-by-step walkthrough of the entry process, key requirements, and common questions. To support you further, we’ve created an Awards Submissions Checklist to help make the process as effective, efficient, and successful as possible for you and your team.
How do I find a campaign that may have been entered by my company and has won in the past?
ANA members can click here and login with your membership ID and Password to search all past ANA award winners through our searchable database.
When will I know if my entry is among the finalists?
Finalists will be announced in April 2027 on the Awards website. Winners will then be announced during a live awards gala at the ANA Brand Masters Conference on May 18, 2027 in San Diego, California.
What defines Marketing Mastery?
Judges evaluate entries based on the extent to which they demonstrate:
- Strategic thinking and business alignment
- Meaningful customer and brand impact
- Creativity and innovation
- Operational excellence and collaboration
- Effective use of talent, technology, and resources
- Measurable outcomes and organizational value
The strongest entries demonstrate what was created, why it mattered, and how it contributed to business success.
When and where will the ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards be presented?
Winners will be announced during a live awards gala at the ANA Brand Masters Conference on May 18, 2027 in San Diego, California.
How do I become a sponsor of the ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards?
Sponsorship packages are available and can be customized and tailored to meet your company’s business needs. To learn how to become a sponsor or for more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Sponsorship team today at sponsorship@ana.net.
How do I become an ANA Member?
To learn how to become an ANA Corporate or Associate Member, please click here.
Terms and Conditions
Click here for complete Terms and Conditions.
Results
What if my campaign results are not in before the regular deadline?
Enter as many results as you can at that point in time (i.e., sales) and indicate that your final results were not available before your submission. Results expressed either in specific amounts or indices/percentages must be included in your application to qualify.
What if my results are confidential?
The ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards, in addition to several other important factors, are judged on results. Your entry should have at the minimum indices to show the judges the results, or handled in such a way to not create any confidentiality issues for you.
What should I do if my company does not want to share results?
Consider including additional program goals that may have been unspoken secondary goals, or even sub-goals. Make sure that the results that you are able to share connect to your program goals in some capacity or use metrics that can show clear value.
For example:
- Translate your objectives into indexes and include the sales lift index in results
- If display or selling from display was important, describe sell through, e.g. restocked display after 2 weeks, etc.
- Use non-sales metrics that can show clear value, for example:
- Coupon redemption not just the coupon quantity
- Impressions converted into a PR dollar value indicates unpaid media value generated
Judging and Timelines
When will my entry be judged and winners announced?
- Judging March 16 through March 31, 2027 (online)
- Winners will be announced during a live awards gala at the ANA Brand Masters Conference on May 18, 2027 in San Diego, California.
Who are the judges?
Client-side marketer corporate members make up a good portion of the jury panel. Marketing professionals from all areas of the ANA, including chapter leaders and committee members, also participate. The juror candidates are screened by the ANA and are assigned to judge entries from categories in which they have expertise. Judges are not allowed to participate in the evaluation of campaigns or categories in which they had any involvement.
Main Round: Judging is divided among 400+ judges. The top three ranked entries in each category will be designated as Gold, Silver or Bronze Award winners. The highest scoring category of Gold winners will go on to compete against each other, and one will win the Best in Show.
Grand Jury: a separate esteemed judging panel comprised of industry leaders, visionaries and pioneers in brand marketing will determine the winners in a selection of specialty categories as well as confirming the recipients of The Best in Show honor.
Interested in judging the ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards? Click here to learn more, or email the Brand Awards team at brandawards@ana.net for more information.
How will my work be judged?
A jury of about 400 of your peers from top client-side marketers and agency executives will scrutinize and score entries on the following criteria:
- Overall Originality of Concept: Did the insight inspire an innovative idea that supported the strategy? How original is this concept compared to others you've seen? Was the concept based on a true human insight?
- Strategy in Line with Insights: Did they turn the insights into a tangible strategy that addressed the stated objective(s)?
- Integration/Execution of Campaign or Idea (specific to category): Was the campaign fully integrated? Did their tactics really interact and engage with the target audience consumers? Why does the campaign deserve to win in this category?
- Results in Achieving Business Objectives: Did their results satisfy their objectives? Did they increase their volume, share and/or profit? Did they increase other brand health objectives or goals? (i.e. awareness, engagement, loyalty, etc.)
- Building the Brand: Did the campaign build the brand? Did the idea build the brand equity and reinforce the essence of the brand?
Only the most compelling work showing excellence in the areas listed above will make it onto the elite shortlist representing the year’s best work produced by the industry’s leading in-house talent.
Gold, silver, and bronze winners will be celebrated per each category. Should a particular category prove to be overwhelmingly competitive, expanding the awards to recognize a set of winners and finalists in relative designations will be considered.
Best in Show
Only top scoring submissions will move on to be considered for the Best in Show Award. A select panel of judges comprised of marketing industry leaders will be selecting the year’s winner.
Categories
What are the available categories to enter in the 2027 ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards?
The ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards will feature 33 categories split into 6 Marketing Mastery pillars representing achievements in brand building, creativity, innovation, customer experience, operations, business impact, and industry sector excellence, recognizing organizations that have transformed marketing into a strategic engine of enterprise value creation.
Brand Building Mastery: Recognizing excellence in creating enduring brand value and category leadership.
Brand Growth Mastery: Recognizing marketing as a driver of enterprise growth.
Customer Experience Mastery: Recognizing brands that turn customer experience into competitive advantage.
Cultural Relevance Mastery: Recognizing brands that drive growth through authentic engagement and cultural intelligence.
Innovation Mastery: Recognizing brands shaping the future of marketing.
Industry Mastery: Recognizing how brands apply institutional knowledge, customer understanding and sector expertise to solve distinctive industry challenges.
Special Honors:
Gold Mailbox Award (USPS)
GEM Award
Please visit the Categories section of the website for more details on each category.
ANA reserves the right to reassign any/all submissions to ensure entries are appropriately categorized.
What are the requirements of entering into the Masters of Marketing Brand Awards?
To be considered for the Masters of Marketing Brand Best in Show Award, you must be recognized as a team that produces award-worthy work in the 2027 ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards. Winning an award for their work in any category will then be eligible for the Best in Show honor.
Trophies
When can I expect my trophy? Where will it be shipped to?
After the Awards Gala, all award winners will have the opportunity to arrange for their trophies via a customized ANA Masters of Marketing Brand Awards trophy website. Stay tuned for 2027 trophy site details.