Winning or even being nominated for top international content marketing awards can do wonders for your agency. These awards show a company’s commitment to quality and innovation in content marketing, attracting new clients and retaining existing ones.
They also highlight excellence and provide recognition among industry peers and potential customers, reinforcing your reputation in a competitive market.
But which awards are worth the cost and effort that comes with applying for them? Here are eight of the best international content marketing awards to apply for, including a few tips on what makes award-winning content.
Why international content marketing awards matter for agencies
Why do international content marketing awards matter for agencies? Well, honestly, there’s no better feeling than being recognized and praised for the good work we’re doing. But there’s way more to it than the pride that comes with a badge of honor.
Winning these awards boosts an agency’s credibility, making it easier to attract new clients and keep existing ones. It shows that your agency is committed to quality and innovation. Saying you do great work is one thing—having multiple awards to prove it is another.
Awards also offer valuable exposure and networking opportunities, connecting agencies with industry leaders. They highlight the hard work and creativity of your team, giving everyone a morale boost.
In short, these awards validate an agency’s efforts, helping you stand out in a competitive market.
International content marketing awards you need to know
We’ve rounded up the top eight most prestigious awards in the content marketing world.
Here they are:
1. Global Content Awards
The Global Content Awards celebrate excellence in content marketing worldwide. These awards recognize innovative and exceptional content created by agencies, in-house teams and individuals that attract, engage and retain audiences. Whether you work with words, images, video, audio or social media to improve the customer journey, a Global Content Award could be yours.
Organized by Don’t Panic Events, known for their ethical approach, the Global Content Awards are part of a prestigious series that includes the European Content Awards.
Main categories:
There are over 45 categories across multiple different industries to choose from, including:
- Global Retail Content Campaign of the Year
- Global B2B Content Campaign of the Year
- Global Content Strategy of the Year
- Global Small/Large Content Marketing Agency of the Year
- Multilingual Content Campaign of the Year
New categories added in 2024 include:
- Podcast of the Year
- Content Creator of the Year
- Creator Agency of the Year
- Best Use of AI in Content
- Best Brand Collaboration
One of VeraContent’s campaigns with Spanish petcare brand Sanicat was shortlisted for the European Content Awards 2023 under the category “Best multilingual content campaign of the year.” To celebrate Black Cat Awareness Month, we created a promotional video, two original blog posts and eight creative pieces based on users’ personal stories about welcoming black cats into their homes. We also localized all the content into seven European languages and shared it across eight local social media accounts. Learn more about the campaign in our client story.
“Entering this award was the result of a beautiful collaboration among professionals from all over the world. Our campaign was conducted in seven different languages, and everyone involved worked very closely together, sharing valuable insights from their own market and putting their heart into sharing real heartwarming stories. This recognition is a great accomplishment for our team and a reflection of our hard work.”
– Aurélie Berson, Project Manager at VeraContent
Dates to look out for:
- Global Content Awards: Early bird entries are typically in June, with the final deadline in July and the winner announcement in September.
- European Content Awards: Early bird entries are typically in February, with the final deadline in March and the winner announcement in May.
Read the full entry requirements here.
2. The International Content Marketing Awards
The Content Marketing Association’s International Content Awards honor the finest content marketing campaigns, strategies, teams and individuals each year. Setting a high global standard for exceptional content, these prestigious awards celebrate the industry’s best work.
Open to all, whether agency or client-side, content specialists or not, these awards invite submissions from the past 12 months for judgment by industry leaders. In 2023, the program saw entries from over 30 countries across nearly every continent, showcasing the worldwide reach and influence of great content marketing.
Main categories:
There are 32 categories for content marketers and Grand Prix categories, which award small, medium and large agencies. Categories vary across content platforms, job roles and industries. Categories include:
- Best Content Team
- Best B2B Campaign
- Best Use of Influencer Marketing
- Best Use of Print
- Best Use of SEO
Grand Prix Categories
- Best Large Content Agency
- Best Medium Content Agency
- Best Small Content Agency
“Winning the CMA feels like winning the Champions League. Agencies from more than 30 countries submitted cases. Winning gold twice is an achievement we as an agency are extremely proud of. Our clients have given us the space to develop groundbreaking productions. That a European jury recognizes this is also great appreciation for our clients ABN AMRO MeesPierson and for MKB Accessible.”
– Jean-Paul Absil, Client Director at LVB
Dates to look out for:
- Submission deadline: Submissions are usually in September with the shortlist announced in October
Download the information pack here.
3. Digiday Content Marketing Awards
The Digiday Content Marketing Awards celebrate companies and campaigns that are modernizing media and marketing through innovative content. Honoring industry-leading work from brands like R/GA, Chipotle, Airbnb, Amazon and Disney, these awards highlight exceptional achievements over the past 12 months. Judges look for entries demonstrating success through innovation, creativity, consumer value, results and overall impact.
Submissions must include evidence such as financial performance, KPIs, creative content like sizzle reels or campaign images and links to final projects. Clear structure and presentation are also key.
Main categories:
- Best Use of AI-Generated Content
- Best Content Marketing Platform
- Best Use of Data
- Best Branded Content Series
- Best Use of Social
- Best Influencer-Generated Content
New categories added in 2024 include:
- Best Use of YouTube
- Best Use of Instagram
- Best Use of Long-Form Video
- Best Personalization Strategy
- Best Use of Live Video
Dates to look out for:
- Submission deadlines: Early deadlines are generally in December, followed by the regular deadline in January and the final deadline in March.
Here is the 2024 entry kit for more insights, look out for their updated guidelines for future entries.
“We are truly honored to receive the Digiday Technology Award for Best Content Marketing Platform. This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation. We believe that genuine connections between brands and audiences are made through content, and we’re committed to sharing our technology and insights to make this a reality.”
– Raquel Cadourcy, CMO at Nativo, winner of the 2023 Digiday Technology Award for Best Content Marketing Platform
4. The Drum Awards
The Drum Awards offer a prestigious, global platform to celebrate marketing, media, creativity and technology excellence. With categories spanning every sector and discipline, these awards honor the best work, companies and individuals in the industry.
Featuring 750+ expert judges and 21 competitions, it’s a premier event for the global marketing community. Enter to amplify your work to The Drum’s 12M global audience and gain industry-wide recognition.
Main competitions:
There are 21 competitions within the Drum Awards Festival, within each competition, there are multiple categories to enter (click on each below for a full list of categories). Competitions include:
- Advertising
- B2B
- Content
- Design
- Digital Experience
- Experiential
- Media
- PR
- Social
- Social Purpose
- Agency Business
Dates to look out for:
- Submission deadlines: Early bird submissions are in May, final submissions are in June/July, and the awards festival is in November.
Taking home the Grand Prix in 2024, as well as winning Gold in the Disruption, Social Purpose and Charity or Not for Profit categories, was the ‘Words of Pride – Reclaiming Respect With Language’ campaign from Disney Star Network in India. See their entry below:
5. PR Daily Content Marketing Awards
PR Daily’s Content Marketing Awards provide a prime opportunity to elevate your profile, benchmark against industry leaders and showcase your success. There’s a place for every exceptional piece of work, with categories ranging from Brand Awareness to Branded Podcasts and Video Series.
A seasoned panel of judges will evaluate your entries against the highest industry standards, ensuring a thorough review. Open to in-house teams, agencies and individual practitioners across private, corporate, nonprofit and government sectors, as well as vendors submitting their own or clients’ work.
Main categories:
There are 66 categories to choose from across multiple content types and industries, including:
- Agency of the Year
- Campaign of the Year
- Strategy of the Year
- Article Series
- Branded Content Site
- E-Newsletter
- Corporate Blog
- Use of SEO
- B2B Campaign
- Crisis Management
Dates to look out for:
- Submission deadline: Final deadlines are usually in February/March, and award ceremonies take place during the Fall.
PR Daily also hosts other awards, including the PR Daily Awards, Video Visual Virtual Awards, Top Women HR Awards, and more. Check out the full list here.
6. Webby Awards
The Webby Awards, established in 1996, is the premier international award honoring excellence on the internet. Previous brand winners include FIFA, Burberry and Michelle Obama’s “The Light Podcast,” among many other big and smaller names. Categories span Websites and Mobile Sites, Video, Advertising, Media & PR, Social, Apps & Software, Games, Podcasts and AI, Metaverse & Virtual, recognizing the best in each field.
With over 100 categories, there are two chances to win: the Academy vote, awarding a Webby Award, and the public vote, awarding a Webby People’s Voice Award. Presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), the Webbys’ 3000+ member judging body includes internet experts, business figures, luminaries, visionaries and creative celebrities.
Main categories:
There are nine main categories, each with multiple sub-categories for the different content types of industries. The main categories include:
- Websites and Mobile Sites
- Video
- Advertising, Media & PR
- Apps & Software
- Social
- Podcasts
- Games
- AI, Metaverse & Virtual
- Special Achievement
Dates to look out for:
- Submission deadlines: Entries typically open in September, with the final entry deadline in December and the big Webby Awards Show in May.
Sign up to be notified when entries open.
7. MarCom Awards
The MarCom Awards celebrate excellence in marketing and communication, recognizing the creativity, hard work and generosity of industry professionals. Since its inception in 2004, MarCom has grown into one of the largest and most respected creative competitions worldwide, receiving around 6,500 print and digital entries annually from dozens of countries.
Administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), MarCom honors outstanding achievements while providing valuable industry validation.
Entry fees are kept low to encourage widespread participation, and pro bono work for nonprofits is exempt from entry fees. Winners enjoy extensive recognition with a comprehensive, searchable listing on an interactive map and dedicated pages for each winning entry, making MarCom a prestigious accolade for creative professionals globally.
Main categories:
There are over 700 categories to enter across different content types and industries. Categories are split up according to:
- Advertising & Marketing
- Strategic Communications
- Publications
- Creativity
- Web Based Media
- Audio & Video
- Pro Bono
- Achievement
Dates to look out for:
- Submission deadlines: Submissions usually open in August with the final deadline in Septemeber.
Get all entry information here.
8. B2B Marketing Awards
The B2B Marketing Awards are internationally recognized as the gold standard for creative and commercial excellence in B2B marketing.
Each year, the awards gather the field’s creators and masters to share work that sculpts, shapes and pushes B2B boundaries. Shortlisters and winners are showcased at the ceremony, to a 120k+ digital audience, and on Propolis, exposing success to a vast pool of potential clients and driving new business.
With over 500 entries annually and growing, participating in these awards benchmarks your performance against competitors, proving your leadership in the field.
Main categories:
There are 29 categories to enter, ranging from campaign mechanics to brand marketing programs, growth marketing programs, audiences and objectives and teams and practitioners. Categories include:
- Best Omnichannel Programme
- Best Use of Creative
- Best Use of AI
- Best Purpose-Led Initiative
- Best Growth Marketing Campaign
- Best Limited-Budget Campaign
- Best Product or Service Launch
- B2B Global Agency of the Year
Dates to look out for:
- Submission deadline: Submissions open in May, with the final deadline in June. The judging process goes through a few rounds from July to September, with the awards ceremony in November.
What makes award-winning content marketing?
Winning content marketing awards isn’t just about having a great campaign; it’s about telling a great story. To stand out, your case study needs to highlight what makes your project unique. Think about what you did differently and the new insights you discovered.
A good story has a clear structure. Make sure your case study covers these key points:
- Objective: What was your goal?
- Audience: Who were you trying to reach?
- Strategy: How did you plan to achieve your goal?
- Execution: What steps did you take?
- Results: What did you accomplish?
Creating a template for your award submissions can save time and ensure you include all important details like the launch date, results, team credits, links, images and a catchy title.
Remember, judges can get frustrated with messy entries and might discard them. A well-organized entry helps judges focus on why your project deserves to win.
One more tip: try judging a competition yourself. Seeing what makes a great entry can give you useful ideas for your own submissions. It’s a chance to learn from others and improve your own work. Always look over submissions of past winners and make sure your entry is on par on stronger.
“A successful campaign begins with first defining the goals, creating a budget, determining the target audience, selecting the media, developing the message, and then creating something worth watching.”
– Laura Gallagher, President and founder of The Creative Company President, 2023 MarCom Award platform award winner in the video campaign category
How do you know which awards to apply for?
It can be a bit overwhelming with so many options out there.
As a global marketing agency, our goal when applying for awards is to spotlight our clients and the incredible work we’re collaborating on with them. But since many come with a price tag and require considerable effort to put the application together, it’s worth narrowing your list down to only the most relevant awards for your agency and clients.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when deciding which awards to apply for:
- What is your budget? Determine how much you can spend on entries for one campaign. This number will help you narrow down your choices.
- Who else is entering? Look at past winners and see if you’d want to be part of that group. Competing against notable brands can elevate your own standing.
- Does this category make sense? Ensure the category you choose aligns with your campaign’s objectives and results. A well-matched category increases your chances of winning.
- Does this competition have the three Rs? Make sure the competition is recognizable, reputable and well-respected. These factors add value to your win and enhance your credibility.
Get your hard work recognized
This is your push to finally enter that award you’ve been eyeing. If you’ve got a strong campaign with an interesting story and successful results, why not enter it for an award? It’s well worth the effort and could potentially bring in a whole lot more business opportunities.
And, for marketers at global brands looking to create epic international campaigns, get in touch with our team. We’d love to collaborate with you on your next award-winning content strategy.