Category description
This category honors the best digital retail media activation in physical store environments, explicitly excluding static trade POS and printed promotions.

Entries should highlight programmatic eligibility, dynamic or audience-driven delivery (e.g., digital signage, automated in-store placements), and measurable impact on sales or shopper engagement.

Judges will focus on digital-first creativity, audience addressability, measurable outcomes, and innovative in-store activation. Eligible entrants: Retailers, brands, agencies, in-store technology vendors, retail media networks. 


How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (retail media objectives, shopper/audience targeting, and channel selection)
- Execution (activation strategy, creative deployment, media placement, data usage, and optimization)
- Results (sales impact, incrementality and campaign effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, and examples of creative materials to support your written entry.

Category description
This category rewards outstanding integration of content and commerce opportunities, such as shoppable video/CTV, creator commerce, or editorial moments aligned with retail activations.

Entries should showcase how formats like video, creator-led content, or interactive experiences created seamless pathways to purchase and enhanced the shopping journey.

Judges will look for innovation in creative execution, integration into the shopper journey, and measurable impact on conversion or sales.
Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, commerce platforms, publishers, and creators.


How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
This category recognizes excellence in commerce-focused video integration across CTV or online platforms.

Entries should show how video formats activated commerce signals, drove shopper conversion, or supported measurable retailer partnerships.

Judges will look for creative effectiveness, innovative use of commerce signals in video, and measurable business impact.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, commerce media networks, video publishers/platforms.


How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
Entries should demonstrate vertical-specific excellence in commerce media strategy, execution, and results, tailored to unique shopper dynamics.

Judges will consider tailored audience insights, innovation in shopper activation, and outcomes distinctive to the category.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, retailers, or networks operating in the vertical.

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
Entries should demonstrate vertical-specific excellence in commerce media strategy, execution, and results, tailored to unique shopper dynamics.

Judges will consider tailored audience insights, innovation in shopper activation, and outcomes distinctive to the category.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, retailers, or networks operating in the vertical.

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
Entries should demonstrate vertical-specific excellence in commerce media strategy, execution, and results, tailored to unique shopper dynamics.

Judges will consider tailored audience insights, innovation in shopper activation, and outcomes distinctive to the category.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, retailers, or networks operating in the vertical.

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
Entries should demonstrate vertical-specific excellence in commerce media strategy, execution, and results, tailored to unique shopper dynamics.

Judges will consider tailored audience insights, innovation in shopper activation, and outcomes distinctive to the category.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, retailers, or networks operating in the vertical.


How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description

Entries should demonstrate vertical-specific excellence in commerce media strategy, execution, and results, tailored to unique shopper dynamics.

Judges will consider tailored audience insights, innovation in shopper activation, and outcomes distinctive to the category.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, retailers, or networks operating in the vertical.

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description 

Entries should demonstrate vertical-specific excellence in commerce media strategy, execution, and results, tailored to unique shopper dynamics.

Judges will consider tailored audience insights, innovation in shopper activation, and outcomes distinctive to the category.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, retailers, or networks operating in the vertical.

How to structure your entry

Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
Entries should demonstrate vertical-specific excellence in commerce media strategy, execution, and results, tailored to unique shopper dynamics.

Judges will consider tailored audience insights, innovation in shopper activation, and outcomes distinctive to the category.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, retailers, or networks operating in the vertical.

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description

Entries should demonstrate vertical-specific excellence in commerce media strategy, execution, and results, tailored to unique shopper dynamics.

Judges will consider tailored audience insights, innovation in shopper activation, and outcomes distinctive to the category.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, retailers, or networks operating in the vertical.

How to structure your entry

Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
This category rewards outstanding sales performance from a commerce media sales team.

Entries should detail success in client growth, innovative deal-making, and contributions to wider market development.

Judges will assess revenue growth, client impact, collaboration, and innovation in sales approaches.

Eligible entrants: Sales teams at networks, platforms, or media owners. 

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:
 - Planning (team objectives, sales targets, client strategy, approach to market development)
 - Execution (team activities, collaboration, deal-making, client engagement, and delivery of results)
 - Results (revenue growth, client impact, measurable outcomes, and overall contribution to business success)
Include relevant examples such as deal decks, sales dashboards, campaign case studies, or client testimonials. Team entries are strongly encouraged.

Category description

This category recognizes the most effective commerce media strategy team.

Entries should demonstrate innovation in planning, cross-channel integration, and client impact.

Judges will look for creativity, rigor, measurable client results, and innovative strategic thinking.

Eligible entrants: Agency planning/strategy teams, brand in-house planning groups. 

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (strategic approach, insight development, campaign planning, and cross-channel integration)

- Execution (team collaboration, project management, campaign delivery, and application of strategy)

- Results (impact on client objectives, measurable performance improvements, and effectiveness of planning)

Include supporting materials such as campaign briefs, strategy documents, workflow examples, or analytics dashboards. Team entries are strongly encouraged.

Category description
This category honors outstanding operational excellence in campaign delivery.

Entries should showcase how teams delivered outstanding precision, reliability, and activation quality at scale.
Judges will reward contribution to performance, operational excellence, and innovative problem-solving.

Eligible entrants: Ad ops or campaign delivery teams at networks, agencies, tech partners. "

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (operational objectives, workflow design, quality control, and team coordination)

- Execution (campaign setup, optimization, troubleshooting, and collaboration across functions)

- Results (accuracy, efficiency, performance improvements, and measurable operational impact)

Include supporting materials such as process documentation, dashboards, workflow charts, or activation examples. Team entries are strongly encouraged.

Category description 
A nomination-led award recognizing senior leadership impact in commerce media.

Entries (via nominations) should detail visionary leadership, market impact, and contributions to the wider industry.

Judges will look beyond commercial outcomes to sector influence, collaboration, thought leadership, and innovative vision in shaping the industry. 

How to structure your entry

Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (leadership objectives, strategic vision, and approach to driving team or business outcomes)

- Execution (decision-making, mentorship, influence, and execution of strategic initiatives)

- Results (business impact, innovation, team or market influence, and measurable achievements)

Include examples such as case studies, leadership initiatives, or client testimonials.

This is not a pay-to-play award.

Category description
A nomination-led award recognizing emerging talent in commerce media.

Nominations should demonstrate exceptional early-career impact, standout contributions to projects, and potential for future leadership. Nominee shortlists will be converted into full award consideration.

Judges will reward innovation, energy, and visible contributions to shaping the future of commerce media.

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (personal objectives, role in campaigns or initiatives, and approach to problem-solving)

- Execution (actions taken, collaboration, innovation, and contribution to campaigns or projects)

- Results (impact on outcomes, measurable contribution, and demonstrated growth or potential)

Include examples such as campaign outputs, project summaries, or endorsements. Team or collaborative contributions are encouraged.

This is not a pay-to-play award.

Category description
This category honors the best application of attribution and analytics to optimize commerce media campaigns.

Entries should demonstrate advanced analytics frameworks, cross-platform tracking methodologies, or innovative attribution models to measure performance and guide investment.

Judges will assess how well attribution informed decisions, improved efficiency, proved business impact, and demonstrated innovative application of analytics.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, commerce media networks, analytics/measurement technology providers.


How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
This category rewards campaigns that most effectively used commerce signals in off-site media activation to drive performance.

Entries should show how commerce data (such as transactional, shopper, or retailer first-party signals) directly informed targeting or bidding and resulted in superior business outcomes. Evidence of determinative use of commerce data is required.

Judges will prioritize audience quality, strong targeting precision, verified incremental outcomes, and innovation in the use of commerce data.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, DSPs, commerce media networks, or data providers. 


How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
This category rewards the most effective all-around commerce media campaign that demonstrated a clear link between strategy, media execution, and measurable business outcomes.

Entries should detail objectives, media strategies, activation channels, and how success was measured against both commercial outcomes and brand goals. Submissions must show evidence of scale, creativity, and measurable impact.

Judges will look for holistic measurement of outcomes, integration of signals across media and commerce, demonstrable ROI, and innovative thinking.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, retailers, commerce media networks, or technology partners.
Primary success metrics: Sales uplift, shopper conversion, ROAS, incremental revenue, and/or long-term brand impact.


How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)
- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
This category recognizes the campaign that provides the clearest and most rigorous demonstration of incrementality in commerce media.

Entries should explicitly define and prove incrementality, using methods such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs), public service/ghost ads, geo-split or time-based holdouts, or marketing mix modeling with sensitivity analyses. Submissions must explain methodology, baselines, statistical confidence, and business impact.

Judges will look for methodological rigor, clarity in isolating causal effects, strength of business outcomes, and innovative approaches.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, retailers, commerce media networks, data/measurement partners.

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category Description
This category rewards the most effective use of first-party data within commerce media activations.

Entries should detail how data was collected, responsibly activated, and used to drive personalization or performance at scale.

Judges will look for innovative use of first-party data, privacy-safe approaches, and demonstrable business impact.

Eligible entrants: Brands, retailers, agencies, networks, and data/tech partners.


How to Structure your EntryYour main entry report should cover the following three areas: - Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
This category recognizes excellence in deploying clean room technology for commerce media effectiveness.

Entries should demonstrate privacy-safe data collaboration between brands, retailers, or platforms to unlock insights or audience activations not otherwise possible.

Judges will look for innovative clean room solutions, strong data governance, and clear links to commercial outcomes.

Eligible entrants: Brands, retailers, agencies, technology/data clean room providers.

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description

This category honors the best dynamic creative optimization (DCO) or personalization within commerce media.

Entries should show how data-driven creative dynamically responded to audiences, contexts, or commerce moments to improve performance.

Judges will prioritize innovation in creative formats, personalization strategies, execution scale, and measurable campaign uplift.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, commerce media networks, creative/ad-tech partners. 

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
This award celebrates the most impactful technology innovation enabling commerce media and campaign success.

Entries should focus on a technological breakthrough or system-level improvement that materially improved signal use, campaign effectiveness, or efficiency.

Judges will reward originality, technical sophistication, measurable value, and breakthrough innovation.

Eligible entrants: Ad-tech companies, DSPs, SSPs, networks, or optimization providers. 

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:
 - Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)
 - Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)
 - Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
This category rewards strong integration of commerce media into brand-merchant planning processes.

Entries should demonstrate how commerce media was used as a core lever for longer-term commercial planning, not just campaign execution.

Judges will look for depth of integration, strengthened brand-retailer relationships, and innovative applications of commerce media.

Eligible entrants: Retailers, brands, agencies. 

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description

This category honors campaigns that used commerce media to strengthen brand equity in addition to or distinct from performance outcomes.

Entries should highlight storytelling alongside commerce signals, showing impact beyond direct sales.

Judges will focus on long-term brand health lift, innovative use of commerce signals for storytelling, and measurable perception outcomes.

Eligible entrants: Brands, agencies, retailers, networks. 

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
This award celebrates the most successful strategic collaboration within commerce media, such as retailer↔retailer, network↔network, or data alliances.

Entries should describe how the partnership unlocked new capabilities, audience access, or outcomes greater than either partner could achieve alone.

Judges will assess synergy, execution quality, measurable impact, and innovation unlocked through partnership.

Eligible entrants: Partnerships between retailers, brands, tech providers, networks, or agencies. 

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (objectives, target audience, insights, strategic approach, data and methodology including baselines, confidence, and incremental measurement where relevant)

- Execution (creative delivery, media/channel strategy, personalization, programmatic or audience-driven optimization, and campaign implementation)

- Results (measurable outcomes, incremental lift, business impact, and evidence of effectiveness)

Please include all relevant images, links, videos, dashboards, and examples of campaign materials to support your written entry.

Category description
Awarded to the most outstanding commerce media network based on overall excellence in client success, innovation, and thought leadership.

Judges will evaluate breadth of client work, measurable outcomes, industry influence, and innovative approaches that set new standards.

Eligible entrants: Commerce media networks/platforms. 

How to structure your entry
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (overall strategy, organizational objectives, and approach to commerce media excellence)

- Execution (delivery of campaigns, client work, innovation, and cross-team collaboration)

- Results (business outcomes, client impact, measurable success, and industry recognition)

Include supporting materials such as case studies, dashboards, campaign highlights, and client feedback. Team entries are strongly encouraged.

Category description

Recognizes the agency with the best overall record in commerce media strategy and execution.

Judges will assess creative innovation, business results, cross-client effectiveness, and forward-thinking approaches to commerce media.

Eligible entrants: Agencies with commerce media capability. 

How to structure your entry

Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (overall agency strategy, approach to commerce media across clients, and setting objectives for campaigns or initiatives)

- Execution (delivery of multiple client campaigns, creative and strategic innovation, and cross-client implementation)

- Results (business impact, client outcomes, measurable success across campaigns, and evidence of overall agency effectiveness)

Include relevant examples such as campaign case studies, dashboards, client testimonials, and creative highlights. Team contributions should be highlighted, demonstrating agency-wide performance.

Category description
Celebrates the brand leading in commerce media adoption, effectiveness, and creativity.

Entries should showcase standout execution across multiple campaigns or retailers, proving excellence across creativity and performance.

Judges will assess innovation in execution, brand impact, market outcomes, and leadership in advancing commerce media practices.

Eligible entrants: Brands across any sector. 

How to structure your entry 
Your main entry report should cover the following three areas:

- Planning (brand strategy for commerce media adoption, objectives across campaigns or retail partners, and approach to integrating media with business goals)

- Execution (delivery of multiple campaigns, creative and data-driven implementation, and integration across channels or retail touchpoints) - Results (measurable outcomes, business impact, sales or engagement lift, and overall excellence across performance and creativity)

Include supporting materials such as campaign highlights, dashboards, analytics, creative examples, and proof of business outcomes. Emphasize team involvement and consistent excellence across campaigns.