All submissions for the 45th ACE Awards will be digital, with a few specific categories that will also require a physical submission.
Call for entries is open, get your submissions in!
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The following categories require physical entries (along with the digital submissions):
Physical submissions must be delivered on Thursday, February 15th from 9am – 5pm only. Drop off location for physical submissions is at Kick Media’s office (Unit 310, 12420 104 ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5N 3Z9).
EXTENDED: Final deadline for digital submissions has been extended to Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 6:00pm.
Please refer to this categories guide for submission details. Contact [email protected] for any questions.
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ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
* Results are ONLY permitted for the Advertising Campaign categories. All other categories are not permitted to have results submitted at this time.1. Advertising Campaign $75,000 and over
Includes the use of three or more mediums (ie. Broadcast, Print, Digital and Interactiveetc.) and a total campaign & production budget of $75,000 and over.Digital submission requirements:
2. Advertising Campaign less than $75,000
Includes the use of three or more media (ie. Broadcast, Print, Digital and Interactive etc.) and a total campaign & production budget of less than $75,000.
Digital submission requirements:
3. For Good Campaign
In a world where the influence of marketing extends far beyond brand recognition, we celebrate the profound impact that advertising can have on society. The “For Good” category recognizes campaigns that go beyond commercial success to drive positive change. Whether addressing social issues, promoting inclusivity, or championing environmental causes, this category applauds marketing efforts that contribute to the greater good.
Submissions should showcase creativity and innovation in leveraging the power of advertising to bring about meaningful, measurable, and sustainable improvements. From campaigns that raise awareness about pressing global challenges to initiatives that inspire action and change, entries in this category should demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact.
Digital Submission Requirements:
4. B2B Campaign
This category awards an advertising campaign that stands out for its excellence, creativity, and proven impact within the dynamic landscape of business-focused marketing.
5. Broadcast Video Series
Includes paid television and cinema advertising.
You should not submit any online or social videos in this category, please refer to category #14 – #17.
6. Broadcast Video Single
You should not submit any online or social videos in this category, please refer to category #14 – #17
7. Other Video over 2 Minutes
Video creative that did not run with paid broadcast, OOH or paid media—can include corporate or promotional videos. Any videos that ran as paid advertising are not eligible in this category.
8. Other Video under 2 Minutes
Video creative that did not run with broadcast, OOH or other paid media—can include corporate, promotional or training videos. Any videos that ran as paid advertising are not eligible in this category.
* NOTE: Online and Social Media videos should be entered under Digital / Interactive categories. Out ofHome videos should be entered under the Out of Home categories.
9. Audio Series
Series of radio and audio streaming advertising creative.
10. Audio Single
Singular radio and audio streaming advertising creative.
11. Microsite/Campaign Webpage
Webpage or microsite created exclusively for a campaign. Entries should be separate from a brand’s website and may be tied to a specific campaign, contest or promotion. Excludes entries submitted in Website category.
12. Website $50,000 and over
The website a brand uses to communicate its product or service, exclusive of any single advertising campaign. Total budget to build the website is $50,000 or more. Websites must have been built in the 2022 calendar year. Websites that have undergone a visual/design update in the 2022 calendar year are also applicable. Before and after comparisons of the updated website should be submitted.
13. Website less than $50,000
The website a brand uses to communicate its product or service, exclusive of any single advertising campaign. Total budget to build the website is less than $50,000. Website must have been built in the 2022 calendar year. Websites that have undergone a visual/design update in the 2022 calendar year are also applicable. Before and after comparisons of the updated website should be submitted.
14. Online Advertising Series
Entries can include static and animated banner ads as well as video ads that have appeared on website placements or mobile apps not including social media networks.
15. Online Advertising Single
16. Social Media Series
Entries can include any series of organic and/or paid social content. This includes all formats such as static, video, carousel, story, Instant Experience, reels, and collection ads.
Digital submission requirement:
17. Social Media Single
Entries can include a single organic and/or paid social content. This includes all formats such as static, video, carousel, story, Instant Experience, reels, and collection ads.
18. Call out for user generated content
This category is for social activity designed to encourage an audience to contribute/collaborate with a brand initiative or campaign.
19. Identity System
Demonstrates the practical application of a corporate identity—for example, as part of a stationery package. Identity Systems that were created within an agency for the agency should be submitted under Self-Promotion.
20. Logo / Wordmark
Logo or wordmark created for a brand or company. Logos that were created within an agency for the agency should be submitted under Self-Promotion.
21. Annual Report
Includes printed and / or digital Annual Reports. Annual Reports that were created within an agency for the agency should be submitted under Self-Promotion.
22. Brochure / Print Collateral
A brochure, booklet, or other printed collateral to promote products or services. Print collateral that was created within an agency or company for the agency or company that created it should be submitted under Self-Promotion.
23. Brand Refresh
The work must be a rebranding of an existing organization, product or service and should express the brand through multiple platforms. Work cannot be entered in both the identity system and brand refresh categories.
24. Poster Series
Includes traditional printed or digital posters, not purchased in media such as outdoor billboards, transit shelters, bus kings etc. or print medium such as magazine, newspaper, event program etc.
25. Poster Single
26. Out of Home Series
Includes purchased media such as outdoor billboards, transit shelters, bus kings, digital restobar, Tims TV, Captivate, elevator. This includes static and OOH video that primarily runs without audio.
27. Out of Home Single
28. Print Series
A series of paid or sponsored ads inserted in one or more print mediums, such as magazines, newspapers, event programs, etc.
25. Print Single
A paid or sponsored ad inserted in a print medium, such as a magazine, newspaper, event program, etc.
These categories include advertising paid or done for by a registered not-for-profit organization or charity. This does not include work for any government organization and you may be asked to produce a charitable or PSA number as proof. Not-for-profit work must be entered in these categories and cannot be entered in any other categories.
30. Not-for-Profit Advertising Campaigns $75,000 and over – please see category #1
31. Not-for-Profit Advertising Campaigns less than $75,000 – please see category #2
32. Not-for-Profit Advertising Campaign For Good – please see category #3
33. Not-for-Profit Advertising Campaign B2B – please see category #4
Please see categories #5 – #8 for entry descriptions and requirements.
34. Not-for-profit Broadcast Video Series – see #5
35. Not-for-profit Broadcast Video Single – see #6
36. Not-for-Profit Other Video over 2 Minutes – see #7
37. Not-for-Profit Other Video under 2 Minutes – see #8
Please see categories #9 – #10 for entry descriptions and requirements.
38. Not-for-Profit Audio Series – see #9
39. Not-for-Profit Audio Single – see #10
Please see categories #1 – #18 for entry descriptions and requirements.
40. Not-for-Profit Microsite/Campaign Webpage– see #11
41. Not-for-Profit Website $50,000 and over – see #12
If time was donated/pro-bono, that should be considered and added into overall cost of project.
42. Not-for-Profit Website less than $50,000 – see #13
43. Not-for-Profit Online Advertising Series – see #14
44. Not-for-Profit Online Advertising Single – see #15
45. Not-for-Profit Social Media Series – see #16
46. Not-for-Profit Social Media Single – see #17
47. Not-for-Profit Call Out for User Generated Content – see #18
Please see categories #19 – #23 for entry description and requirements.
48. Not-for-Profit Identity System – see #19
49. Not-for-Profit Logo/Wordmark – see #20
50. Not-for-Profit Annual Report – see #21
51. Not-for-Profit Brochure/ Print Collateral – see #22
52. Not-for-Profit Brand Refresh – see #23
Please see categories #24 – #27 for entry description and requirements.
53. Not-for-Profit Poster Series – see #24
54. Not-for-Profit Poster Single – see #25
55. Not-for-Profit Out of Home Series – see #26
56. Not-for-Profit Out of Home Single – see #27
Please see categories #28 – #29 for entry description and requirements.
57. Not-for-Profit Print Series – see #28
58. Not-for-Profit Print Single – see #29
These categories include work done for both for-profit and not-for-profit clients/organizations.
59. Podcast
Original podcast content distributed via any podcast platform / network. Entries should have a marketing, communications or teaching/training purpose.You should not submit any podcast spots (ads that ran during a podcast) in this category, please refer to category #9 or #10.
62. Permanent Branded Environment
A branded environment is an extension of a brand into a physical space. It primarily includes interior design and branded elements in a physical space such as a restaurant, a retail experience, a mobile store etc. The unveiling must have occurred between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023 and the branded environment must have been active for a minimum of 3 months.
63. Experiential / Non-Permanent Installation
Includes advertising that involves a temporary branded environment such as a trade show booth, a paid media domination at a single location, and/or a direct, in-person experience with a brand through live events, stunts, merchandising or samplings.
64. Guerilla/Non-Traditional
Includes work that does not fit clearly into any other category. Examples include unique giveaways, guerilla tactics, pop-up events, apparel, etc.
If unsure, email [email protected] with details of your entry before entering this category to confirm it qualifies.
65. Direct Marketing
Includes work provided directly to a targeted audience for “one-on-one” communication about a product, service or cause. It could include invitations, promotional materials, flyers, letters, postcards, emails, text messages etc. Does not have to be a printed piece, can be digital direct mail.
66. Packaging
Physical packaging of a product/ products.
67. Advertising Industry Self-Promotion
Advertising industry self-promotion pieces and advertising industry related messages can only be entered into this category, and cannot be entered into any other categories. This category is intended for non-client work (where there isn’t an external client who needs to approve the creative work). This includes agencies’ own websites, logos, holiday cards etc.
68. Fearless Client
This award is given to a private, public service or not-for-profit client that displays the courage and wisdom to support a project or campaign considered beyond its so-called “comfort zone.” In doing so, they demonstrated the commitment to solving a problem in a truly unique and breakthrough way.
Entries in these categories should be judged on the skilled use of the specific craft to enhance the creative execution of the overall piece. Craft categories transcend medium, for example, the craft of Illustration may find life in a unique digital piece or a logo, and the craft of Typography could be found in the design of products as diverse as an annual report or a website. If submitting on behalf of a freelancer or 3rd party vendor, they must be Edmonton based.
NOTE: In the case where agencies engage external suppliers for these services, the agency can enter on behalf of the supplier, but the award goes to the supplier.
69. Illustration Single
An illustration created in support of a marketing effort or advertising campaign.
70. Illustration Series
A series of illustrations created in support of a marketing effort or advertising campaign.
71. Photography Single
A photograph in support of a marketing effort or an advertising campaign.
72. Photography Series
A series of photographs created in support of a marketing effort or advertising campaign.
73. Printing
Any use of printing in support of a marketing effort or an advertising campaign. This award goes to the printer of the piece(s) and is awarded based on print quality.
Physical submission required: Provide a sample of the original piece.
74. Typography
Any use of typography in support of a marketing effort of an advertising campaign.
75. Video Production $30,000 and over
The craft of video production in support of a marketing effort of an advertising campaign.
76. Video Production less than $30,000
77. Animation
Any use of animation created in support of a marketing effort or advertising campaign.
78. Music/sound design
Any use of music or sound design created in support of a marketing effort or advertising campaign.
These categories are nominated by the judges after seeing the whole body of worksubmitted.
79. Art Direction
All entries submitted will be eligible to win for Art Direction at the discretion of the judges.This is considered to be a craft category.
80. Copywriting
All entries submitted will be eligible to win for Copywriting at the discretion of the judges.This is considered to be a craft category.
82. Design
All entries submitted will be eligible to win for Design at the discretion of the judges. Thisis considered to be a craft category.
82. User Experience
All entries submitted will be eligible to win for User Experience at the discretion of thejudges. This is considered to be a craft category.
83. Innovation
All entries submitted will be eligible to win for Innovation at the discretion of the judges.This is considered to be a craft category.
84. Best in Show
All entries submitted in the Creative Categories will be eligible to win Best in Show at thediscretion of the judges.
85. Fellowship Award
Nominate a deserving peer or mentor who demonstrates dedication to our industry andleads by example. A committee of past Advertising Club of Edmonton Presidents selectsthe recipient. The online nomination form is available at awards.adclubedm.com/fellowship-award/nominate/.
For more information, contact Past President Pablo Herrera at [email protected]
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