In advertising, reputation is everything. A company with a reputation of being clever, innovative and honest is almost guaranteed to be successful. One of the best ways to show potential clients that an advertising firm has what they want is to display advertising awards from Fine Awards earned through hard work and competition.
Advertising awards are one of the main ways that agencies can show credibility to the competition and to their customers. Agencies are able to enter the campaigns for a minimal fee, and the best campaigns win the award and the prize. For each agency, it’s important to determine which awards are relevant to the business and which are not applicable to the category or award.
Several advertising awards set incredibly high creative standards for those who enter, are recognized widely throughout the advertising industry and actually mean something when they are displayed or placed on a personal resume. These are the corporate crystal awards that are easily recognized and don’t require explanation to a potential customer or employer.
The One Show
The One Show awards are highly coveted in the United States. As another giant in the world of advertising awards, the One Club was created to promote creativity and excellence in design and advertising. Standards are set very high, and contestants must have major confidence and solid work before they even start the entry process. It’s tough to win one of these awards, but a One Show award goes a long way to increasing bragging rights and reputation in a tough industry.
Design & Art Direction
D&AD is considered by many to be the best and the most important of the advertising awards. These awards are also strict in standards, and over the years have not compromised in quality or creativity. Other awards may lower standards to ensure a winner in every category, but the D&AD holds true to high standards set by the founders in 1962. Agencies and individuals may even get an award simply for getting a nomination for a D&AD award. Entries should only be submitted when the individual can afford the entrance and is absolutely convinced the work is solid and has a chance of winning this coveted award.
The Cannes Lions
Born in 1954, the Cannes Lions were founded by a group of advertising contractors from the movie industry. These individuals felt that advertising campaigns and projects should receive as much attention as the movies that were played at the Film Festival in the city. Since the first year, the Cannes Lions awards have grown to include a huge list of categories honoring everything from creative effectiveness to advertising and design. Cannes Lions focuses on imparting knowledge as awards are given out, and only the most dynamite work should be entered for an award consideration.
Communication Arts Annuals
Of 5000 entries received each year, the Communication Arts Annuals will only print 150-200 for each book. This means that only 3% of entries find their way into one of these important advertising books.
- The Interactive Annual
- The Typography Annual
- The Design Annual
- The Illustration Annual
- The Advertising Annual
Although the odds are low, the winnings are sweet when work is chosen to be featured in one of the prints put out by the Communication Arts each year.
Put the Best Work Forward
In order to be considered for any of these prestigious awards, individuals and agencies should only submit work they feel confident is amazing.
