Biggest Advertising Awards in the UK

What are the biggest UK advertising awards? You know, the ones that turn heads? The ones that make prospective clients sit up and say, “This agency is worth its salt” (and most likely the hefty retainer). Here at Creative Awards London we are proud to work with the biggest events within UK advertising and have compiled a list of the top 5 biggest UK advertising awards.

D&AD Awards - The Original Advertising Award

D and AD AwardsThe Design & Art Direction Awards (formerly known as the British Art Design & Direction Awards) just so happen to be the world’s most coveted design awards. Notoriously difficult to win (the judging panel consists of 250 of the world’s greatest creative practitioners) and rather difficult to manufacture, the D&ADs are a celebration within design and advertising. Founded in 1962 by a group of London-based designers and art directors and now in their 57th year, the awards have become internationally revered by the biggest creative agencies across all four corners of the globe. While the winners of the famous Black Pencil, awarded only to the very best, are numerous. One from recent years that may stand out to you is the Fearless Girl by McCann New York for State Street Global Advisors. The statue was created for International Women’s Day 2017 and positioned on Wall Street in New York. As a symbol of solidarity and empowerment for women, it has attracted millions of tourists and visitors since its installation.

 

LBB The Immortal Awards - Good Ideas Never Die

The Immortal AwardsThe free-to-enter awards, also known as the Immortals, were inspired by Sir John Hegarty’s belief that creative companies rarely create more than five genuinely award-worthy pieces per office a year, only allowing entrants a maximum of five entries. Whilst entering the awards is easy, winning an award is difficult - because that’s the way it should be. The world’s best campaigns should be judged by the world’s best creatives, which is why the jury at Little Black Book Online assemble a first-class jury of industry icons who see judging through from the online stage to live stage. What’s more, the jury is under no obligation to award Commendations or Immortalise entrants, meaning only the very best will be taking home a prize. And why a skull you may ask? Well, the Immortals, like good ideas, never die. Famous winners include Nike’s Nothing Beats a Londoner, submitted by Final Cut, Time Based Arts and Cinelab London. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The British Arrows - Artistry and Innovation

British ArrowsNothing Beats a Londoner segues us nicely into the next juggernaut of advertising awards with the British Arrows where it also won an award. For over forty years, British Arrows have been championing, awarding and celebrating the innovation and artistry of moving image advertising. Whilst technology and media undoubtedly have changed beyond all recognition within that time, the essential aspects of craft have remained the same. Talent, dedication, innovation, and professionalism have never gone out of fashion and it is these skills that are honoured, recognised and supported by The British Arrows. You know those John Lewis adverts that essentially spawned the idea of a big Christmas campaign? Well, last year John Lewis & Partners’ The Boy and the Piano 140 by Academy Films featuring Sir Elton was awarded with one of the famous arrows. 

Campaign Media Awards - Big, bold and the best in branding 

As technology grows, so do the awards that commemorate the innovative thinking surrounding the advertising industry. The Campaign Media Awards are all about celebrating the ideas, innovation and strategic thinking that are changing media. Reflecting the fast-moving media landscape and recognising the talent that is driving the change, the awards celebrate the very best across products, content and more. From the drinks industry to the automotive industry, charities to utilities, every major sector, and the talent that makes the memorable adverts, content and strategy are celebrated. Unsurprisingly, Nothing Beats a Londoner is a previous winner but so too is another campaign that really stood out to us, the Alexa…send me a Coca-Cola by MediaCom for Coca-Cola. Alexa, now isn’t that a great idea?. 

PR Week - The Oscars of the PR world

PR Week AwardsLast, but by no means least, are the PR Week Awards. PR Week is the world's leading PR and comms publication, and in May 2014 it launched the first global PR destination combining the highly regarded US and UK sites and launching a brand new site in Asia. PRWeek epitomises the modern business publishing brand, spanning online, print, events, and social media. PRWeek hosts must-attend live events for public relations professionals. This includes a full Conference programme, an annual networking forum and the Oscars of the PR world, the PRWeek Global Awards.