CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN DIGITAL MARKETING AND ADVERTISING
Early Deadline: Jun 5, 2026
Final Deadline: Jun 19, 2026
ENTRIES NOW OPEN!
The AdExchanger Awards celebrate the organizations, technologies and teams driving measurable impact across today’s advertising ecosystem.
From data-driven campaigns and advanced media strategies to breakthrough technologies and industry leadership, the program honors the work setting the standard for performance, innovation and growth in modern advertising.
Finalists and winners are recognized by AdExchanger and celebrated live at the AdExchanger Awards Gala during Programmatic I/O New York on September 28, bringing together senior leaders from across the programmatic media industry for an evening of recognition, connection and insight.
Categories
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Agency, Consulting, & Publisher
- Best Use Of Data By An AgencyData has always been the lifeblood of media investments, but with the rise of digital – and the growing importance of first-party data – having a data strategy is critical. Agencies nominated for this award show a deft ability to not only use data to improve clients' media investments, but to know which pieces of data can make media dollars work harder.
- Best Use Of Technology By A Publisher or Media SellerWhether it’s a new integration or going deeper with an existing technology, top publishers have found ways to make the tech work for them to boost results. This category recognizes publishers or media sellers, from audio to social platforms, who have built, partnered or bought technology that is driving notable business success or audience growth.
- Best Use Of Technology By an Agency
Agencies must have a deep understanding of platforms, including AI tech, and how to best leverage them for their clients' specific needs. Agencies nominated for this award have either demonstrated exceptional understanding and ability to work with top platforms or AI in the space or built technology in-house that solves for identity, buying, measurement and beyond.
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Campaigns
- Best Data-Driven TV CampaignThis category recognizes nominees that have identified, targeted and purchased an audience on linear TV or over-the-top, including connected TV campaigns. Innovation in targeting, planning, interactivity or measurement are all considered.
- Best Overall Use Of Programmatic In A Marketing CampaignThis category recognizes campaigns that applied programmatic concepts and techniques in unique ways, from their planning to execution, use of identity and/or contextual signals, measurement optimization.
- Best Programmatic Out-Of-Home ActivationFrom digital signage to location data, out-of-home marketing offers new ways of customization and measurement. The Best Programmatic Out-Of-Home Activation will recognize a campaign or strategy that exemplifies the success and innovation in OOH marketing.
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Individual & Overall Awards
- Best Account SupportThe human touch still matters. The top tech companies, publishers and agencies in this category help their customers meet their goals, resolve issues and succeed with outstanding personalized service.
- Leadership In AdvertisingThis category recognizes digital advertising and marketing professionals who typify visionary leadership by effectively guiding their organization or business unit to meet business goals while advancing innovation and inspiring their teams.
- Making Media Better AwardTransparency. Equity. Sustainability. Through tech, process and practices, ad tech can make the indsutry better. This award recognizes initiat ...
- The Overall AdExchanger AwardThis category draws from all award entries submitted and recognizes excellence in its service and contribution to stakeholders, such as marketers or consumers, and the industry at large. Entries will be judged on how clearly they align a product, service or campaign with proven results, innovation and creativity. *Only winning entries from other categories will qualify for entry into this overall excellence award.
- The People's Programmatic Pick
- Rising Star - Leadership Under 40This category recognizes emerging leaders in digital advertising and marketing, with a focus on mid-level professionals who are in the first two decades of their career. Winners show a demonstrated a track record of achievement, exceptional growth and huge potential to disrupt the industry.
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Technology & Service Providers
- AI InnovatorsThese companies are blazing a trail in the evolving field of generative AI and machine learning. They’re ignoring the hype and the buzz to go directly for what drives real value for companies, whether that be to support ideation, monetization, optimization, productivity and more. This rewards creators of AI technology and/or innovative applications of AI in marketing.
- Best Data Technology
This award recognizes the leading companies that bring data to bear in programmatic media and beyond. From clean rooms to CDPs to identity and data management to using AI to access this data, this category recognizes data technology that improves marketing.
- Best Demand-Side TechnologyThis award recognizes outstanding demand-side technology companies that consistently meet the highest standards and show leadership and innovation in areas like identity, targeting, measurement, partnerships, client services and marketplace quality.
- Best Identity TechnologySignal loss is one of the biggest challenges facing the online advertising industry today – but it’s also a massive opportunity for smart, future-minded companies that help brands navigate the shifting landscape. This award recognizes identity-focused technology companies that enable brands, agencies and publishers to remain simultaneously effective and ethical.
- Best in Commerce MediaThis award recognizes commerce media brands and commerce media tech that is bringing retail media to its next stage of maturity. Whether it's a novel use of data, improved outcomes, powerful tech or an improved shopper experience, this categoy rewards tech that helps commerce media brands and customers seize new revenue opportunities.
- Best Industry Startup
This award recognizes the best and most innovative of the new wave of technology platforms. Applicants should have been founded less than four years ago or have revenue less than $20 million.
- Best Measurement or Analytics CapabilityThis award recognizes the best measurement and analytics that takes into account the evolving identity landscape as well as the need to deliver meaningful insights.
- Best Privacy Technology
The advertising industry is being forced to roll with a lot of privacy-focused changes and regulation. But brands still need to reach people. This category recognizes companies that help the ad ecosystem chart a course toward a more privacy-centric web, including privacy tech vendors and companies (brands and publishers) that have effectively woven privacy principles into their own ad tech product or marketing initiatives.
- Best Sell-Side Focused Technology
Through technology, publishers can solve many problems: connect with their audinece, meet advertisers’ KPIs, drive subscriptions or increase revenue. This category recognizes publishers and their partners that excel in helping media sesllers build stronger and more sustainable businesses.
- Most Innovative Use of CTV TechnologyThis award recognizes innovative C/TV technology or an innovative application of C/TV technology. This tech should improve the TV experience or monetization, by improving outcomes, measurement, user experience, application of AI or more. This category recognizes the cutting-edge tech emerging to meet the growing appetite for advanced television advertising solutions.
Community Choice Award
The People’s Programmatic Pick
This community-driven award recognizes an individual making a meaningful impact in programmatic today. Nominations and voting take place on LinkedIn—putting the decision directly in the hands of the industry.
Eligibility
- Open to all brands, agencies, publishers, and technology providers.
- International entries are welcome.
- All entries must be related to programs/events/campaigns that started after January 1, 2024.
- Entrants may submit as many campaigns as they wish.
- Campaigns may be entered in multiple categories to increase chances of winning.
- Companies can submit on behalf of others (e.g. their client) with the participant’s permission. For example, a vendor could submit for a campaign their client ran using their technology.
Rates
Entry Guidelines
Prepare Your Entry
Below is a list of the items you will need in order to complete your AdExchanger Awards entry:
- Primary entry contact.
- For agencies and suppliers, you’ll need a client contact for entry verification.
- Brand logo as vector file.
- Start and end dates of campaign/project.
- Visuals: Videos are optional (but judges love them.)
- Full summary of campaign’s goals and any available results (if applicable.)
- If the entry wins an AdExchanger Award, what companies should be listed on the trophy, and reference any team members who can be credited for aspects of the project (if applicable.)
Awards Gala
Winners will be honored at the AdExchanger Awards Gala during Programmatic I/O New York—an evening that brings together senior leaders across the programmatic ecosystem for recognition, connection and industry insight.
This is more than a ceremony, it’s a moment to showcase your work among the companies and decision-makers defining what works in modern advertising.
When:
The AdExchanger Awards Gala
September 28, 2026
Where:
Programmatic I/O New York
New York Marriott Marquis
1535 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Sponsorship
Position your brand at the center of the industry’s most influential recognition program. The AdExchanger Awards sponsorships provide meaningful exposure to top executives and teams driving innovation across the advertising ecosystem—on stage, online, and throughout the awards lifecycle.
For details and custom packages, contact sales@adexchanger.com.
Contact
Should you have any questions about the categories, rules, or gala for the AdExchanger Awards, please contact: