THE CAMPAIGN TECH AWARDS

Open for 2026 Entries


The Campaign Tech Awards are back for 2026!

Behind every brilliant campaign, every seamless customer journey, and every data-driven insight lies a powerful engine: technology. 

Technology and creativity are more intertwined than ever. These awards are dedicated to honouring the outstanding campaigns, tools, and technologies that drive success.

Backed by the authority of Campaignwith 30+ categories celebrating the best in marketing innovation, these are the awards you don't want to miss. We will be hosting a wonderful award dinner to celebrate those who rise to the top.


First Entry Deadline:
Thursday 19 February 2026

KEY INFORMATION


First Entry Deadline: Thursday 19 February 2026 | £515 Excl. VAT

Second Entry Deadline: Thursday 12 March 2026 | £715 Excl. VAT


Shortlist Announced: End of April 

Awards Dinner: Thursday 4 June



INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES KEY INFORMATION


First Entry Deadline: Thursday 19 February | £350 Excl. VAT


Second Entry Deadline: Thursday 12 March | £550 Excl. VAT


Shortlist Announced: End of April 

Winners Announced editorially on Campaign: Thursday 4 June

CATEGORIES 2026


CAMPAIGN CATEGORIES

BEST CREATIVE USE OF AI

This award celebrates campaigns and projects that showcase AI as a transformative tool for creativity. Judges will look for entries that leverage AI to bring unique and imaginative ideas to life, from content creation to interactive experiences and beyond. Entrants should clearly outline the type of AI technology used, describe how it enabled groundbreaking or novel outcomes, and provide evidence of the impact on audience engagement, brand perception, or campaign reach.


BEST OPERATIONAL USE OF AI

This category recognises the outstanding use of AI to optimise business processes, drive efficiencies, or enhance operational performance. Open to any sector, entries should clearly explain the AI approach implemented – such as machine learning, predictive analytics, or automation – and illustrate how it delivered significant improvements in productivity, accuracy, or cost-efficiency. Judges will seek clear examples of how AI positively impacted key performance indicators and overall operational outcomes.


BEST USE OF AR/VR

This award recognises innovative use of augmented or virtual reality to create immersive brand experiences. Judges will look for campaigns that not only pushed the boundaries of AR/VR capabilities but also showcased clear strategic objectives, creative storytelling and achieved outstanding results.


BEST AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT

This award will recognise the technology and creativity behind campaigns that produce real, demonstrable engagement with their target audience. 


BEST USE OF GAMING

Awarded to the best creative idea using in-game technology. Campaigns entered into this category will have utilised the comms opportunities of any type of gaming (including console games, PC games, social or mobile gaming) to reach audiences in new and exciting ways.


BEST USE OF CREATIVE PERSONALISATION

This award is for campaigns using technology to deliver targeted and personalised communications. The winner will pair brilliant creative with insightful use of data and media to deliver a highly tailored message to the customer resulting in great engagement and conversions. 


BEST USE OF DATA

This category seeks to recognise innovative brand activity rooted in data-driven customer insight. The winning work will show that data was used not only to solve a problem but also contributed to the brand’s overall marketing mission. Please note that this category may be split into separate sub-categories.

These include:

  • Entertainment
  • Financial & Professional Services
  • Food & Drink
  • Retail
  • Public Sector/Charity
  • Other Consumer Goods

BEST USE OF EXPERIENTIAL TECH

This category rewards branded experiences that use innovative and ground-breaking technology to consumers, help drive deeper engagement for fans and deliver an unforgettable experience for the customer. This can be a digital or physical experience, including an immersive event or physical technology, the sky’s the limit. 


BEST USE OF INNOVATION

This award honours inventive campaigns that have used innovative technology to deliver exceptional brand engagement. In particular, judges will be looking for an application of technology or idea that is experimental and demonstrates a forward-thinking approach, even if the technology itself is not being used for the first time. Judges will look for entries that showcase how solutions were conceived and implemented, including any unique tools, methods or technologies used, as well as measurable outcomes that illustrate the impact of the innovation on business or audience engagement.


BEST USE OF INSIGHT

This award seeks to recognise innovative brand activity through insight. The winning work will show that insight was used not only to solve a problem but also contributed to the brand’s overall marketing mission. 


BEST USE OF PAID SEARCH

We are seeking proficient and successful management of a paid search campaign. Successful entrants must demonstrate an innovative use of the channel, incorporating data and new tools where necessary, managed by an in-house team or for a client. Judges will seek alignment to brand values and goals across a well thought-out and delivered effort.


BEST USE OF PAID SOCIAL

We are seeking an innovative and effective paid social campaign or strategy that gained a stellar set of results via a performance-based effort. Whether the objective was to drive sales, engagement, leads or even footfall, entries should demonstrate how client objectives were met and ROI achieved from the activity. 


BEST USE OF PROGRAMMATIC MEDIA

This award is open to media owners, media agencies, brands or creative agencies that have maximised the use of automated media solutions to create memorable campaigns. The judges will look for clever and creative ways of using data and optimising programmatic media deployment to achieve outstanding results for clients. 


BEST USE OF TECH IN CRM

This award celebrates innovative use of technology to transform customer relationship management. Judges will look for entries that show how tools such as automation, AI, data platforms or personalisation strategies enhanced customer engagement, loyalty or lifecycle value. Successful submissions will demonstrate measurable impact on relationships, revenue or retention, and showcase creativity in reimagining how brands connect with customers.


BEST USE OF TECH IN OUT-OF-HOME

The UK’s out-of-home industry has been transformed by digital and there are more opportunities than ever before to use tech in ingenious ways to reach consumers. This award recognises memorable and powerful advertising created by innovative and creative uses of technology. 


BEST INTEGRATED CAMPAIGN

This award is for campaigns that demonstrate both excellence and creativity across a range of channels. The objectives of the media strategy must be clear and the entry should include how the campaign was modified for online and offline channels and how the channels came together to deliver outstanding results. 


BEST LOCATION-BASED OR PROXIMITY MARKETING CAMPAIGN

This award celebrates agencies and tech providers who have enabled brands to give their consumers an engaging, personalised and targeted brand experience using proximity technology or location-based data. Open to all stripes of agency and tech companies. 


TECH AS PART OF A CAMPAIGN

This award recognises tech innovations created as part of a brand campaign or branding initiative. Entrants must be able to demonstrate that the technology made a difference to the campaign. The winning entry must also explain how the tech furthered brand goals or solved brand problems. Please note that this category may be split into separate sub-categories.

These include:

  • Entertainment
  • Retail
  • Public Sector/Charity
  • Consumer Goods

TECH FOR GOOD

The winner of this award will demonstrate excellence in using technology in a creative campaign. Entries can be from commercial brands, agencies, tech providers or charities. Entrants must show how they have identified a specific audience need and created a piece of work (of any medium) that improves social, environmental and economic outcomes. It may or may not be pro bono work.


GRAND PRIX (NOT OPEN FOR ENTRY)

The Grand Prix will be awarded to the campaign who receives the most nominations and awards throughout the evening. Each entry that makes the final shortlist will score points, and these points will be used to identify the leading agency. The scoring system will allocate an appropriate tally for each entry, depending upon the results. This category cannot be entered directly.  


PEOPLE, AGENCIES & TEAMS CATEGORIES

RISING STAR

This award honours the emerging new talents in an industry being revolutionised by the coming together of brave clients, smart creative thinkers and game-changing tech. We are looking for people who have demonstrated exceptional skill and ambition and whose personal endeavours, whether creative or tech focused, have begun to make their mark. We welcome entries from the individuals themselves or nominations from peers, company leaders and clients. This category is open to anyone with less than 3 years experience in the industry.

START-UP OF THE YEAR

This award recognises emerging tech companies making an outstanding impact in advertising, media or marketing. Judges will seek businesses that combine innovation with commercial success, whether through disruptive technology, inventive services or bold new approaches. Open to brands, agencies, platforms, or suppliers launched within the past three years, entries must clearly show achievements, growth and how the start-up is reshaping the industry landscape.

Note: The entrant must have begun trading within three years of 5 November 2022.

TECH LEADER OF THE YEAR

This award will celebrate the individuals, in brands, agencies or tech partners, that are leading the charge and creating great work, using smart technology, that delights and engages consumers and re-imagines the world. Personal nominations are welcome, as are entries from colleagues, company leaders and partners.

TECH TEAM OF THE YEAR

This category will focus on a team in a business taking an innovative approach towards technology in advertising and marketing. From the top AI teams to martech and production, teams will be judged on specific campaign performances or a body of work. Entries should demonstrate conversions achieved or customer actions delivered which have had a measurable impact on their brand or customers’ businesses. Entries are welcome from brands, agencies or tech providers.


INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES

Our international categories will return for 2026, designed for companies based outside the UK that wish to celebrate their innovative use of creative technology. Please note that these categories will be announced on the Campaign website on Thursday 4 June 2026. They will not be announced at the live awards ceremony. These categories are open to participants from all countries worldwide, with the exception of the United Kingdom.

INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES KEY DATES & PRICING:


First Entry Deadline:
Thursday 19 February
First Entry Deadline Fee: £350*


Second Entry Deadline: Thursday 12 March 

Second Entry Deadline Fee: £550*


Final Entry Deadline: Thursday 26 March

Final Entry Deadline Fee: £650*


Shortlist Announced: End of April 


Winners Announced editorially on Campaign: Thursday 4 June


*Price per entry. Please note listed prices do not include VAT


The rules for entry and entry template sections, found on the entry kit, are also applicable for these categories. Please refer to this for how to structure your entry.


BEST USE OF AI

This award recognises the most effective use of AI for a campaign or business optimisation. Entries must clearly explain what type of AI was used, how it was implemented, and how it produced demonstrably better results and performance for a brand. 

BEST USE OF DATA

This category seeks to recognise innovative brand activity rooted in data-driven customer insight. The winning work will show that data was used not only to solve a problem but also contributed to the brand’s overall marketing mission. 

TECH AS PART OF A CAMPAIGN

This award recognises tech innovations created as part of a brand campaign or branding initiative. Entrants must be able to demonstrate that the technology made a difference to the campaign. The winning entry must also explain how the tech furthered brand goals or solved brand problems. 

TECH FOR GOOD

The winner of this award will demonstrate excellence in using technology in a creative campaign. Entries can be from commercial brands, agencies, tech providers or charities. Entrants must show how they have identified a specific audience need and created a piece of work (of any medium) that improves social, environmental and economic outcomes. It may or may not be pro bono work.

TECH LEADER OF THE YEAR

This award will celebrate the individuals, in brands, agencies or tech partners, that are leading the charge and creating great work, using smart technology, that delights and engages consumers and re-imagines the world. Personal nominations are welcome, as are entries from colleagues, company leaders and partners.

TECH TEAM OF THE YEAR

This category will focus on a team in a business taking an innovative approach towards technology in advertising and marketing. From the top AI teams to martech and production, teams will be judged on specific campaign performances or a body of work. Entries should demonstrate conversions achieved or customer actions delivered which have had a measurable impact on their brand or customers’ businesses. Entries are welcome from brands, agencies or tech providers.


WHY ENTER?


CHAIR OF JUDGES


Elke Karskens

Head of International Marketing | OpenAI


Elke Karskens leads International Marketing at OpenAI. Previously, she spent over a decade at Meta holding various marketing leadership roles followed by senior general management roles at Coinbase. She started off her career at Skype. Known for building high-impact teams and guiding brands through moments of transformation, she brings deep expertise in global strategy, digital innovation, and storytelling that connects technology to real human benefit.


Top Tip to Entrants:

"Technology has always been where creativity meets possibility - and that’s what excites me about chairing this year’s Campaign Tech Awards. After two decades in tech and marketing, I’m still energised by work that uses innovation to tell stories that genuinely resonates. I’ll be looking for entries where technology isn’t just a feature, but a force that pushes creative boundaries and delivers real impact. And while I’m eager to see thoughtful use of AI, I’m equally excited by any work that stands out and stays with people.”

JUDGING


Our judging panel is composed of senior Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) from the world's most influential brands. Their unparalleled experience and insight guarantee that only the most deserving work and talent rise to the top.

The full list of panel members will be announced shortly.

Nominate a Judge

Do you know an industry leader who possesses the necessary insight and expertise? You can nominate a potential judge below. We look forward to reviewing the credentials of those who have what it takes to guide our selection process.

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Lucy Shelley - Tech Editor, Campaign


Technology is transforming marketing and advertising faster than ever. From the rise and implementation of generative AI to immersive experiences and data-driven creativity. The Campaign Tech Awards celebrate those redefining what’s possible through innovation and ingenious ideas. I’m excited to see the work and people that are pushing boundaries and setting new standards as the industry evolves into a new era. " 

WHO SHOULD ENTER?

This stage is for the UK's builders, pioneers, and innovators at the intersection of marketing and technology.

The Adtech and Martech leaders

You are the companies, from agile startups to established giants, building the platforms that are the engine room of modern marketing. Your technology is delivering a demonstrable competitive advantage.

Agencies with the Tech Edge

You haven't just bought technology; you've built it. You have developed your own tools and platforms that give your teams and your clients a unique, winning advantage in the market.

Forward-Thinking Brands & In-House Teams

You have taken control of your own technology stack. You have integrated and deployed technology in an innovative way to transform your customer experience and drive exceptional business results.

TESTIMONIALS