Get ready, because the 2026 Ad Age Small Agency Awards are almost here! This is the big event where we celebrate the best of the best in the advertising world, especially those smaller, independent agencies that are really making waves. It’s all about recognizing amazing creative work, smart business moves, and the people who make it all happen. So, if you’re in the industry, you’ll want to pay attention to who’s getting nominated and who takes home the trophies this year. The ad age small agency awards are always a highlight.
Key Takeaways
- The Ad Age Small Agency Awards recognize outstanding creative campaigns and agency leadership. The A-List is chosen by Ad Age editors, while the Creativity Awards use expert juries.
- New categories for 2026 include PR Agency of the Year, Best Body of Work for a Single Client, and Best Comedic Campaign, expanding the recognition for diverse achievements.
- Entries for both A-List and Creativity Awards have specific deadlines and tiered pricing, with a special note that the YouTube Creator Collaboration award has no entry fee.
- Global agencies can compete in many A-List categories, but some are U.S. only. All Creativity Awards are open to international participants.
- Submitting entries requires careful attention to detail, including disclosing AI use and confirming information accuracy; falsified submissions can lead to disqualification.
Celebrating Innovation: The 2026 Ad Age Small Agency Awards
It’s that time of year again when we get to shine a spotlight on the incredible talent and fresh ideas bubbling up in the advertising world. The 2026 Ad Age Small Agency Awards are here, and they’re all about celebrating the agencies that are pushing boundaries and making waves. This isn’t just about who’s the biggest; it’s about who’s the smartest, the most creative, and the most forward-thinking.
A-List Honors: Recognizing Industry Trailblazers
The A-List is where we recognize the agencies and leaders who are truly setting the pace. Think of it as the ultimate nod to those who aren’t just following trends, but creating them. These are the companies and individuals whose bold leadership and game-changing creativity point the industry in new directions. The Ad Age editorial team does the heavy lifting here, selecting honorees across a wide range of categories. We’re talking Agency of the Year, Creative Agency of the Year, and even new additions like PR Agency of the Year. It’s a real honor to be considered, reflecting a year of significant impact and innovation. You can see some of the past winners and get a feel for the caliber of work recognized on Ad Age’s Tech Power List.
Creativity Awards: Showcasing Groundbreaking Work
Beyond the agency accolades, the Creativity Awards dive deep into the actual work. This is where we celebrate campaigns, projects, and individual pieces that truly stand out. The criteria focus on work that debuted and ran between late 2024 and the end of 2025, meaning it’s all fresh and relevant. We’ll be looking at everything from the best B2B campaigns and comedic spots to innovative uses of AI and powerful branded content. It’s a chance to see what’s working, what’s exciting, and what’s setting a new standard for creative excellence.
The Intersection of A-List and Creativity Awards
What makes these awards so special is how they bring together agency recognition and creative output. The A-List acknowledges the companies and leaders, while the Creativity Awards highlight the brilliant work they produce. Together, they paint a full picture of the industry’s most dynamic players. Both sets of winners will be celebrated at our big gala event in New York City in April 2026, making it a fantastic opportunity to connect and see who’s making the biggest impact. It’s a dual celebration of both the engine and the output of advertising innovation.
Key Categories and Awarded Excellence
This year’s Ad Age Small Agency Awards really shine a light on what makes agencies tick, both in terms of the big ideas and the people behind them. It’s not just about flashy campaigns, though those get their moment, but also about the smart business moves and the culture that makes it all happen.
Agency of the Year and A-List Categories
The A-List is where Ad Age’s own editors pick the agencies and execs they think are truly leading the pack. It’s a big deal, recognizing those who are setting new directions for the whole industry. Think of it as the ultimate nod for agencies that are not just good, but genuinely game-changing.
Here’s a look at some of the top honors:
- Agency of the Year
- Production Company of the Year
- Agency Executive of the Year
- Independent Agency of the Year
- Creative Agency of the Year
- Media Agency of the Year
Creative Campaign and Work Categories
This is where the actual work gets judged. Ad Age brings in some smart folks to look at campaigns that really pushed boundaries, made people think, or just did something incredibly clever. They’re looking for work that debuted and ran between December 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025.
Some of the standout categories include:
- Campaign of the Year
- Best Use of AI
- Best Work for Good (Brand & Pro Bono/Nonprofit)
- Social Campaign of the Year
- Craft of the Year
- Tiny But Mighty (for smaller, impactful work)
People and Brand Leadership Awards
Beyond the agency itself, the awards also celebrate the individuals driving success. This covers creative leaders, strategists, and even brand-side marketers who are making a significant impact. It’s about recognizing the talent and vision that bring great work to life.
Key people awards include:
- Chief Creative Officer of the Year
- Creative Director of the Year
- Brand CMO of the Year
- Diversity & Inclusion Champion of the Year
- Future Brand Leader
Eligibility and Entry Process
Understanding Eligibility Criteria
So, you’re thinking about throwing your hat in the ring for the 2026 Ad Age Small Agency Awards? That’s great! Before you get too deep into crafting your submission, it’s super important to get a handle on who can enter and what kind of work qualifies. Generally, the awards are looking for agencies that have done real, impactful work for actual clients. This isn’t the place for speculative projects or ideas that never saw the light of day. The core idea is to showcase legitimate, commissioned, and executed campaigns and business practices. If you’re unsure if your agency or a specific project fits the bill, it’s always best to check the detailed category descriptions in the entry kit. They lay out all the specifics, so there are no surprises later on.
Navigating the Entry Kit and Deadlines
Alright, let’s talk about the nitty-gritty: the entry kit and those all-important deadlines. The entry kit is your roadmap. It’s where you’ll find the exact questions you need to answer and the types of files or assets you’ll need to provide for each category. Seriously, download it and read it through. It’s packed with all the info you need, like file size limits (keep uploads under 2GB, or provide a link for bigger stuff) and what kind of details to include.
Now, deadlines. They’re firm, and there are no extensions, so mark your calendars.
- Early Bird Deadline: November 4, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET. Get your entries in by this date to snag the lower fee.
- Final Deadline: December 2, 2025, 5 p.m. ET. This is the absolute last chance to submit.
- Late Fee Period: Submissions after December 2nd will incur additional processing fees, and anything after December 16th gets even pricier.
There’s also a special note about the Best YouTube Creator Collaboration award – it’s free to enter. Just remember, once you submit and pay, you can’t edit your entry, so double-check everything before hitting that final button. If you spot a factual error, you can contact the awards team, but only before the final deadline passes.
AI Disclosure and Submission Integrity
This year, there’s a new requirement that’s pretty significant: you’ll need to disclose if Artificial Intelligence was used in the creation of your submitted work. It’s not about whether AI was involved, but about being upfront about it. On top of that, you’ll have to confirm that all the information you’re providing is accurate. This means no fudging numbers, no making up results, and no presenting speculative work as if it actually ran. Ad Age takes this seriously and reserves the right to disqualify any entries that don’t meet these standards or to ban agencies from future competitions if they’re found to have violated these rules. It’s all about keeping the playing field fair and celebrating genuine achievements.
The Judging and Selection Process
So, how does Ad Age figure out who gets the shiny awards? It’s a pretty involved process, honestly. They’ve got different teams looking at different things, which makes sense because the awards cover a lot of ground.
Ad Age Editorial Staff’s Role in A-List Selection
For the A-List categories, it’s the Ad Age editorial team doing the heavy lifting. They’re the ones who decide who makes the cut. Think of them as the ultimate arbiters of industry trends and who’s really pushing the envelope. They look at things like leadership, creativity that changes the game, and agencies that are setting new directions. It’s not just about one great campaign; it’s about consistent impact and vision. This internal selection process means the A-List is a reflection of Ad Age’s deep industry knowledge. They’ve got a list of categories, and they’re the ones making the calls on who wins each one, from Agency of the Year to specific types like the new PR Agency of the Year.
Esteemed Juries for Creativity Awards
Now, for the Creativity Awards, it’s a bit different. Ad Age puts together special juries for these. These aren’t just random folks; they’re people who know their stuff inside and out when it comes to creative work. They’re tasked with looking at the actual campaigns and projects. It’s important to remember that if a jury thinks your work is a better fit for a different category, they might move it. You can ask them not to, but it’s up to them. Also, they really want to see work that was actually done for a real client and ran in the real world. No made-up stuff allowed.
The YouTube Creator Collaboration Judging Panel
There’s also a specific panel for the Best YouTube Creator Collaboration award. This one is a bit unique, focusing on a newer, but super important, area of marketing. The details on this specific panel aren’t as fleshed out as the others, but it’s clear they’re looking for standout work in this digital space. It’s great that they’re recognizing this kind of partnership, and it shows they’re keeping up with where advertising is headed. This award, unlike most others, doesn’t have an entry fee, which is a nice touch.
Global Reach and New Additions
International Agency Recognition
This year, the Ad Age Small Agency Awards are really opening up. We’re not just looking at agencies within the U.S. anymore. We’re seeing a lot more interest from agencies across the pond and in other parts of the world, and we want to recognize that. It’s exciting to see how different markets approach creativity and client service. We’ve added a few ways to highlight this global perspective, making sure the awards reflect the truly international nature of our industry. It’s about celebrating great work, no matter where it comes from.
New Categories for 2026
We’re always trying to keep things fresh, right? For 2026, we’ve introduced some new categories designed to reflect where the industry is heading. Think about things like:
- AI Integration Excellence: How are agencies using artificial intelligence in smart, ethical ways to improve their work or client results?
- Sustainability in Practice: Agencies that are making real, measurable progress in environmental or social responsibility.
- Creator Economy Collaborations: Recognizing partnerships with influencers and content creators that drive significant impact.
These additions are meant to shine a light on the innovative paths agencies are forging.
Global vs. U.S. Only A-List Categories
To make things clearer, we’ve separated some of the A-List categories. You’ll see distinctions between those open to agencies worldwide and those specifically for U.S.-based shops. This helps us give focused attention to the unique achievements happening in different regions. It’s not about saying one is better than the other, just different, and worthy of its own spotlight. We want to make sure the competition is fair and that everyone has a chance to be recognized in the most appropriate way.
The Ad Age Small Agency Conference & Awards
Focus on Independent Agencies
This is the big one for the smaller shops, the ones that make up so much of the advertising world. The Ad Age Small Agency Conference & Awards is all about celebrating these independent businesses. It’s not just about handing out trophies, though that’s a big part of it. The conference itself brings together owners and leaders from agencies with up to 150 employees. The whole point is to talk about the unique challenges and chances these smaller firms face. Think of it as a dedicated space to figure out how to grow and thrive when you’re not part of a giant network.
Audience and Value Proposition
So, who should be there? Basically, anyone running the show at a smaller agency. This includes owners, presidents, CEOs, and other top execs. The value is pretty clear: it’s the only national event that really zeroes in on what these kinds of agencies need. You get to hear from industry speakers who get it, and you can connect with peers who are in the same boat. It’s a chance to learn from others who are making it work, figuring out new strategies, and maybe even finding some inspiration for your own business. It’s a place to get practical advice and build connections that actually matter.
Connecting Industry Leaders
Beyond the talks and the awards ceremony, the event is a prime spot for networking. You’ll find yourself chatting with people who are finalists for the awards, meaning they’re doing some seriously impressive work. It’s a great way to meet potential collaborators, clients, or even just get a pulse on what’s happening at the cutting edge of independent advertising. The whole setup is designed to help leaders from these smaller, agile agencies connect and share insights. It’s about building a community and strengthening the independent agency sector as a whole.
Looking Ahead
So, that’s a wrap on the 2026 Ad Age Small Agency Awards. It’s always inspiring to see the incredible work and fresh ideas coming from these smaller, agile shops. They really show us what’s possible when creativity meets smart business sense. We’ve seen some amazing campaigns and agency leaders recognized, and it just goes to show that you don’t need to be the biggest to make the biggest impact. Keep an eye on these winners; they’re definitely shaping the future of advertising. We can’t wait to see what they come up with next year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s new for the 2026 Ad Age Small Agency Awards?
This year, we’ve added some exciting new award categories! For the A-List honors, we’re introducing a new award for PR Agency of the Year. For the Creativity Awards, we’ve added categories for Best Body of Work for a Single Client and Best Comedic Campaign. These additions help us recognize even more amazing work and talent in the industry.
Can agencies from outside the U.S. enter?
It depends on the award! Some A-List categories are only for U.S. agencies, like Agency of the Year and Best Agency Culture. However, categories like Agency Executive of the Year, Agency Network of the Year, and Creative Agency of the Year are open to companies worldwide. The Creativity Awards are open to everyone, no matter where they are located.
Who decides who wins the awards?
The Ad Age editorial team handpicks the winners for all the A-List categories. For the Creativity Awards, we bring together special groups of judges who are experts in the field to choose the finalists and winners. It’s a thorough process to make sure we’re recognizing the best.
Can I keep my entry details private?
Unfortunately, no. Anything you put in your entry is considered public information. We need to be able to share why we’re honoring someone or something, so please don’t include any secret details. Make sure everything you submit can be shared openly.
What if my work fits better in a different category?
Sometimes, a piece of work might be so great that the judges think it belongs in another category. If this happens, the judges have the power to move your entry to what they believe is the most fitting spot. You can let us know if you’d prefer your entry to stay in its original category, but the judges’ decision is final.
Do I need to mention if I used AI in my work?
Yes, absolutely! This year, it’s required for all entries to state if Artificial Intelligence (AI) was used. You also need to confirm that all the information you’ve provided is accurate. We want to celebrate real work and honest achievements, so any made-up results or misleading information can get your entry disqualified.
