Good things come to those who DON’T wait.
We’ve decided to speed things up — you will receive your Smithy Awards results within 2 weeks of your entry date! No long waits. Just fast recognition.
Online Submission Rules
- All entries must be submitted through The Smithy Awards website.
- Entrants may submit the same project in multiple categories with a separate entry per category.
Who Should Enter?
The Smithy Awards are open to:
- Marketing and advertising agencies
- In-house communications teams
- Public relations professionals
- Creative studios and design firms
- Freelancers and consultants
- Nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities
- Students and emerging professionals
Unlike traditional awards programs that pit entries against one another, The Smithy Awards take a merit-based approach: each submission is judged independently, based on its own merit and creative execution. That means multiple entries in the same category can earn top honors—or none at all. You don’t need to outshine someone else. If you’ve built something bold, brilliant, and effective—you should enter it and be rewarded for your work.
Entry Categories
With 80 entry categories across seven core divisions—Branding, Advertising & Marketing, Communications & PR, Out-of-Home, Event Marketing, Interactive, and Photography, Video & Sound—The Smithies are designed to recognize work from across the full marketing and communications spectrum. From traditional craft to modern media, there’s a category for every kind of impact.
Entrants may submit the same project in multiple categories with a separate entry per category.
- Brand Identity System
- Logo Design
- Visual Style Guide
- Employer Brand Campaign
- Brand Launch Campaign
- Product Branding
- Brand Storytelling
- Integrated Campaign – B2B
- Integrated Campaign – B2C
- Product Launch
- Direct Mail Campaign
- Print Advertising
- Digital Advertising
- Paid Social Campaign
- Influencer Marketing
- Radio or Audio Spot
- Broadcast or Streaming Spot
- Multichannel Campaign
- Promotional Item or Swag
- Email Marketing
- Agency Self-Promotion Campaign
- Cause Marketing Campaign
- Experiential Marketing
- Loyalty or Retention Campaign
- Recruitment Marketing
- Nonprofit Marketing
- Public Relations Campaign
- Crisis Communications
- Internal Communications
- Corporate Communications Strategy
- Government Relations or Public Affairs
- Advocacy Campaign
- Community Engagement Campaign
- Speechwriting or Remarks
- Press Kit or Media Kit
- Thought Leadership Program
- Media Relations Strategy
- Communication Plan
- Nonprofit Communications
- Billboard
- Transit Advertising
- Street-Level or Guerrilla
- Kiosk or Display
- 3D or Ambient
- Wild Posting or Wheatpaste
- Retail Environment or POS
- Interactive Out-of-Home
- Out-of-Home Campaign
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- Event Promotion
- Event Identity or Branding
- Event Video or Opener
- Tradeshow Exhibit or Booth
- Pop-Up Experience
- Launch Event
- Fundraising Event Campaign
- Event Collateral Suite
- Website – Corporate
- Website – Nonprofit
- Website – Product or Campaign
- Website Redesign
- Mobile App – Branded
- Mobile App – Utility or Tool
- E-Commerce Experience
- Social Media Presence
- Social Content Series
- Interactive Microsite
- Online Annual Report
- Games or Gamified Experience
- Digital Tool or Calculator
- Augmented or Virtual Reality
- Interactive Data Visualization
- Brand Photography
- Product Photography
- Video – Brand or Company Story
- Video – Social/Short Form
- Video – Long Form/Documentary
- Video Series
- Animation or Motion Graphics
- Original Music or Sound Design
- Podcast or Podcast Audio
Judging
Our judging panels are composed of seasoned industry professionals with deep experience across disciplines. Judges evaluate each submission based on creative execution, effectiveness, and innovation or originality. Entries are evaluated independently; awards are given based on achievement, not in competition with other entries.
Award Levels
- Gold – Exceptional, industry-leading work
- Silver – Outstanding work, superior in strategy and execution
- Bronze – Strong, well-executed work that meets objectives
- Forge Ahead Honorable Mention
Eligibility
- Work must have been produced or launched between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025.
- The Smithy Awards competition is open to agencies, organizations, freelancers, students, and in-house teams.
What to Submit
Each entry should include:
- Entry Title & Category
- An optional project summary, up to 500 words, describing objectives, strategy, execution, results
- Up to 5 files (PDF, JPG or PNG) or one video (MP4)
- Supporting links or campaign URLs (optional)
Fees
- Early Bird (by Dec 15): $185
- Standard (after Dec 15): $225
- Trophy Cost: $265
- Certificate Cost: 1st certificate is free, additional certificates $25 each
Trophies
Winners will receive one free personalized certificate per winning entry, and can order additional certificates and certificate frames in the Smithy Shop. Trophies, also available in the Smithy Shop, are crafted and shipped directly by Society Awards, the industry leader in custom award design.
