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General Masters of Marketing In-House Awards Information
How do I enter?
The Entry Period for the 2027 ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards begins on September 29, 2026 and ends January 29, 2027.
The entry process begins by creating an account via the 2027 ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards homepage. Once you create a username and password (ANA members will use their ANA.net login credentials), you will can begin the submission process. You may save and return to your work at any time during the Call for Entries period.
*Note: Word processing programs often include hidden formatting characters that can cause issues with word or character counting across different programs. If you are experiencing this, simply copy and paste your content from the source, into Notepad (removing all hidden formatting) and paste into the text box.
Once you have completed your entry, you will be prompted to finalize and pay your entry fee(s) before the final deadline. If payment for an entry is not submitted by the deadline, it will not qualify to be included in the subsequent judging rounds and will be removed from the competition.
When are the deadlines to enter?
- Early-Bird Deadline: October 30, 2026
- Standard Deadline: December 11, 2026
- Final Deadline: January 29, 2027
What are the entry fees for each entry?
ANA Member / Non-Member
- Up to Early-Bird Deadline: $475 / $575
- Standard Deadline: $575 / $675
- After Standard and up to Final Deadline: $675 / $775
- In-House Agency of the Year Category: $400
- In-House Leader of the Year Category: $400
- In-House GEM Award Category: $350
- Entry Audit: $300 (visit our Entry Audit page to learn more about ordering an audit)
I am an ANA member. How do I ensure I get the member rate for my entry fee?
ANA member rates are automatically applied for ANA members when logged into the application portal using their ANA.net login credentials. Using separate login credentials may result in the non-member rate being applied to your application(s). Please contact inhouseawards@ana.net if you experience any issues receiving the appropriate rate for your entries.
Who can submit an entry?
Anyone working as part of an internal team, whether within a client-side marketer, retailer, media company, non-profit, or educational institution.
What campaigns are eligible?
To be eligible, the in-house team must have played a leading role in the development and execution of the work and be responsible for at least 50 percent of the effort represented in the submission.
The marketing asset, campaign, or project must have gone live/ran in-market from January 1, 2026, to January 29, 2027.
All entries must be submitted in English, but creative containing all languages are welcome. Please be sure to include English translations for creative materials written or spoken in other languages.
What campaigns are eligible for the In-House GEM Award?
Any submission into the 2027 Masters of Marketing In-House Awards may also enter the In-House GEM Award. A check box is available in the entry system to have your submission(s) considered for this award. GEM Award contenders will have their creative work go through the GEM® testing process* to provide a shortlist of finalists, with the In-House GEM Award going to the top three submissions achieving the highest GEM® scores. Click here to learn more about the In-House GEM Award.
All submissions into the In-House GEM Awards specialty category (regardless of finalist or winner status) will receive a full GEM® Report on their submission(s) which will provide insight into the key themes and drivers of their GEM® Score.
Creative Requirements:
At least one creative execution (up to 2 creative executions are allowed) which must include women and/or girls (animated/virtual humans not applicable).
Any type of creative is acceptable, including video (linear or digital), digital display, audio, print, out-of-home, or social posts.
There is a flat fee of $350 per submission in the ANA In-House GEM specialty category.
*To help benchmark success in creating this positive change, ANA SeeHer developed the Gender Equality Measure (GEM®), the first research methodology that quantifies gender bias in ads and programming. GEM® has become the global measurement standard for uncovering unconscious bias, with over 200,000+ ads tested in markets that represent 87 percent of worldwide ad spend.
Can I submit more than one entry?
Yes, you can enter as many entries in as many categories as you wish.
Often, campaigns will involve multiple marketing techniques that could fit into more than one category that are worthy of individual recognition.
If you choose to enter the same campaign in multiple categories, you will be asked to explain how it fits into the parameters of each. Entering your campaign into more than one category will increase your chances of winning, but it is important to clearly explain why it is appropriate for each to improve your chances with the judges.
How easy is it to enter the ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards?
The ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards system is easy to use and leads you clearly through the entry process. You will be able to register, submit your application, and copy your campaigns into various categories with one fluid process. We also have a preview entry form available so you can gather all the correct material prior to beginning your online entry.
What do I need in order to complete my entry?
In order to enter the ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards, you will need to fully complete the entry submission form and any additional questions required based on your selected category. Please refer to sample entry form for a preview of the entry process.
All entries to the 2027 ANA MAsters of Marketing In-House Awards must answer the following questions:
- Project Overview/Objectives (200 words maximum)
Provide context for the purpose of the project and share the primary objectives for the effort. - Target Audience (100 words maximum)
Briefly describe the primary audience for this work, including relevant demographic, geographic, behavioral or attitudinal characteristics. - Key Insights and Strategy (300 words maximum)
Share the key insights that were realized and how they were applied. - Concept/Big Idea (300 words maximum)
Unveil your BIG idea to us here, as simply as possible. We are looking for you to impress us and excite us with the "ah-ha" solution you developed. - Tactics/Execution (200 words maximum)
Describe how you brought your idea to life. - Results and Impact (300 words maximum)
Describe how the work contributed to business, brand, consumer, organizational, or operational outcomes. Quantitiative results are encouraged but not required. We understand there may be concerns with sharing actual figures in the entry-insight regarding the impact of the work can be provided as indexes or percentages. - OPTIONAL - Additional Information, Insights, Comments (100 words maximum)
Share any information that provides additional context for the judges.
Please note: On the entry form you will be asked for additional data points regarding duration of campaign, channels, tactics, touchpoints, industry sector, and team structure. Several categories all contain additional questions to answer for greater context into your work.
To support you further, we’ve created an Awards Submissions Checklist to help make the process as effective, efficient, and successful as possible for you and your team.
How do I submit multiple entries? Can I submit the same entry into more than one Category?
The application system will allow you to submit more than one entry. If there are major differences between your entries, you will likely want to begin a new entry from scratch. You can do so by clicking on the "Make Another Application" link on the left-hand side of the submission page; this will create a blank application, and you can enter information that is completely new. You also have the option of copying your entry by clicking the "Copy Submission" link in your account.
Is there a sample entry form that I can review and fill out offline?
Yes, please click below to download our sample forms in either Word or PDF format. There are multiple forms to choose from based on the categories you want to enter.
Can I view my submission before finalizing?
You can view your in-progress application by clicking on the "My Applications" link on the left side of your account and click "Edit" to make updates.
How often can I edit my entry?
You have access to edit and update your entry as often as you would like until you "Checkout" (finalize and pay for any entries in your shopping cart). Once you have submitted your entry, you will have access to the read-only file. All entries must be finalized and submitted before the deadline. All entries not finalized before the deadline will not be judged.
To edit your entry, log-in to your account and you will see all the entries you have in your account. Click on “Edit” on any of the entries listed to make changes to your submission.
Can I submit a link/URL of a website or microsite that was used in the campaign?
Yes, you can enter a link in the URL field in your entry. However, please be sure the link is live and will be live until at least July 30, 2027. Some judges prefer viewing all the materials in the submission and not linking to a separate window, so we recommend taking screen grabs of the site and putting them in a PDF and uploading the PDF to your submission if possible.
Can I print my ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards entry?
Yes. In order to print your entry while you are still working on it, please press the 'Ctrl' key and the 'P' key. This will print the page you are on. Please click through each page of your application and press 'Ctrl + P' to print each part.
Once your entry is marked as "Complete", you will be able to print your entire ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards entry at once. In order to complete your entry, you must "Checkout" and pay for your entry. Then you will be able to print using the "Print" link.
What are the entry requirements?
- The executions included in your application must have been implemented between January 1, 2026 and January 29, 2027
- Entry materials must be submitted through the online entry form
- No physical submission required
- The work samples included in your application must provide downloadable files or URLs for links to websites
- Open-ended response fields are each limited in characters, so please be mindful when drafting descriptions
Can multiple people work together on the same application from different devices?
Multiple people can be added as collaborators on the same application, but it is not recommended that applications are opened and accessed at the same time. Doing so could create overlapping workstreams that result in overwritten work and loss of application progress. It is recommended that applications are opened
What defines Marketing Mastery?
Judges evaluate entries based on the extent to which they demonstrate:
- Strategic thinking and business alignment
- Meaningful customer and brand impact
- Creativity and innovation
- Operational excellence and collaboration
- Effective use of talent, technology, and resources
- Measurable outcomes and organizational value
The strongest entries demonstrate what was created, why it mattered, and how it contributed to business success.
When and where will the ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards be presented?
Winners will be announced during a live awards gala at the ANA Masters of In-House Agency Conference on April 13, 2027 in Miami Beach, Florida.
How do I become a sponsor of the ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards?
Sponsorship packages are available and can be customized and tailored to meet your company’s business needs. To learn how to become a sponsor or for more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Sponsorship team today at sponsorship@ana.net.
How do I become an ANA Member?
To learn how to become an ANA Corporate or Associate Member, please click here.
Terms and Conditions
Click here for complete Terms and Conditions.
Results
What if my campaign results are not in before the regular deadline?
Enter as many results as you can at that point in time (i.e., sales) and indicate that your final results were not available before your submission. Results expressed either in specific amounts or indecies/percentages must be included in your application to qualify.
What if my results are confidential?
The ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards, in addition to several other important factors, are judged on results. Your entry should have at the minimum indices to show the judges the results, or handled in such a way to not create any confidentiality issues for you.
What should I do if my company does not want to share results?
Consider including additional program goals that may have been unspoken secondary goals, or even sub-goals. Make sure that the results that you are able to share connect to your program goals in some capacity or use metrics that can show clear value.
Judging and Timelines
When will my entry be judged and winners announced?
- Judging February 19, 2027 through March 5, 2027 (online)
- Winners will be announced during a live awards gala at the ANA Masters of In-House Agency Conference on April 13, 2027 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Who are the judges?
ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards judges are client-side marketers, agency executives, in-house agency professionals from all areas of the ANA, including committee members, among many others. The candidates are screened by the ANA and are assigned to judge entries from the categories in which they have expertise.
Interested in judging the ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards? Click here to sign up, or email the In-House Awards team at inhouseawards@ana.net for more information.
How will my work be judged?
A jury of about 400 of your peers from top client-side marketers and agency executives will scrutinize and score entries on the following criteria:
- Challenge & Objectives (15%): Was the marketing or business challenge clearly defined, and were the objectives meaningful, appropriate, and measurable?
- Insights & Strategy (25%): Was the strategy grounded in a strong understanding of the audience, customer, brand, market, or business challenge? Did the insight meaningfully shape the approach?
- Idea & Execution (25%): Was the idea distinctive and compelling, and was it brought to life effectively and appropriately for the category, audience, and channels selected?
- Results & Impact (35%): Did the work achieve its stated objectives and demonstrate meaningful marketing, brand and/or business impact?
The Significant Business Results and Significant Marketing Results categories will have alternate weighting:
- Challenge & Objectives (15%)
- Insights & Strategy (17.5%)
- Idea & Execution (17.5%)
- Results & Impact (50%)
The Best Collaborative Effort category will have alternate weighting:
- Challenge & Objectives (15%)
- Insights & Strategy (15%)
- Idea & Execution (15%)
- Results & Impact (35%)
- Effectiveness of Collaboration (20%)
The In-House Agency of the Year category will have alternate weighting:
- Team Culture (25%)
- Business Growth (25%)
- Notable Achievements (25%)
- Body of Work (25%)
The In-House Leader of the Year category will have alternate weighting:
- Overall Impact (20%)
- Innovation (20%)
- Vision and Leadership (20%)
- Results (20%)
- Body of Work (20%)
Only the most compelling work showing excellence in the areas listed above will make it onto the elite shortlist representing the year’s best work produced by the industry’s leading in-house talent.
Gold, silver, and bronze winners will be celebrated per each category. Should a particular category prove to be overwhelmingly competitive, expanding the awards to recognize a set of winners and finalists in relative designations will be considered.
Best in Show
Only top scoring submissions will move on to be considered for the Best in Show Award. A select panel of judges comprised of marketing industry leaders will be selecting the year’s winner.
Categories
What are the available categories to enter in the 2027 ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards?
The ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards will feature 35 categories split into 8 Marketing Mastery pillars representing achievements in brand building, creativity, innovation, customer experience, operations, business impact, and industry sector excellence, recognizing organizations that have transformed marketing into a strategic engine of enterprise value creation.
Brand Building Mastery: Recognizes in-house teams that strengthen brand value and market position through a deep understanding of their organizations, customers and competitive environments.
- Best Challenger Brand
- Best Brand Repositioning for Evolution
- Business-to-Business Marketing
- Best New Brand/Product Launch
Creative Mastery: Recognizes the ideas, content, channels, and creative expressions through which in-house teams earn attention, build meaningful connections, and strengthen brands.
- Big Idea Award
- Branded Content
- Creator or Influencer-Driven
- Out of Home
- Social Media
- Sports Marketing
Customer Experience Mastery: Recognizes in-house teams that transform customer understanding into connected, relevant, and valuable interactions with brands. These categories celebrate campaigns, experiences, and touchpoints that strengthen customer relationships, improve the brand experience, and create competitive advantage, sustainable business growth, and enduring brand value.
- Brand Experience
- Experiential (Live and/or Virtual)
- Integrated Campaign
Business Impact Mastery: Recognizes how in-house teams translate marketing capabilities into measurable commercial, organizational, customer, and brand outcomes.
- Data & Insights Excellence
- Media Excellence
- Significant Business Results
- Significant Marketing Results
Innovation Mastery: Recognizes in-house teams that advance marketing through new technologies, models, methods, and creative possibilities.
- AI-Powered Creative Excellence
- Future of Marketing Award
In-House Operations Mastery: Recognizes the partnerships, communications, and organizational systems through which in-house teams create greater and more consistent marketing value.
- Best Collaborative Effort
- Internal Communications
- Marketing Orchestration Award
Leadership Mastery: Recognizes the leaders, teams, cultures, values, and responsible practices shaping the future of in-house marketing. These honors celebrate achievement that strengthens people and capabilities, elevates marketing's organizational contribution, and establishes the conditions for sustained business growth, enduring brand value, and positive industry impact.
- Cultura & Growth Award
- In-House Agency of the Year
- In-House GEM Award
- In-House Leader of the Year
- Socially Responsible
Industry Mastery: Recognizes how in-house teams apply institutional knowledge, customer understanding, and sector expertise to solve distinctive industry challenges.
- Banking & Financial Services
- CPG/Food & Beverage
- Healthcare
In-house teams of 25 full-time staff or fewer are able to enter the following Small Teams Track categories:
- Best Brand Repositioning for Evolution
- Best New Brand/Product Launch
- Branded Content
- Social Media
- Integrated Campaign
Please visit the Categories section of the website for more details on each category.
ANA reserves the right to reassign any/all submissions to ensure entries are appropriately categorized.
What are the requirements of entering into the In-House Agency of the Year category?
To be considered for the In-House Agency of the Year Award, you must be recognized as a team that produces award worthy work in the 2027 ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards. In-house agencies winning an award for their work in any category will then be eligible for the In-House Agency of the Year honor.
Trophies
When can I expect my trophy? Where will it be shipped to?
After the Awards Gala, all award winners will have the opportunity to arrange for their trophies via a customized ANA Masters of Marketing In-House Awards trophy website. Stay tuned for 2027 trophy site details.