Campaign Big Awards

The Campaign Big Awards are an important part of the advertising calendar, even though we know this is an extraordinarily challenging time because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rapid pace of change.

Creativity and innovation are key if businesses are to adapt and prosper, which is why it remains essential to reward and celebrate the best campaigns of the last 12 months. We have also introduced some special categories to recognise the special work that has been done during the coronavirus crisis.

These turbulent times have brought out some of the best in our industry as well as exposing a lack of progress in other areas such as racial equality.

We do believe advertising retains a unique power to be a creative force for good and the Campaign Big Awards are a chance to celebrate those brands that represent hope for all of us.

There couldn’t be a bigger message than that.

Gideon Spanier

UK editor-in-chief, Campaign

Key dates for Campaign Big Awards 2021

20 May: Entries Open

1 July: Early Bird Deadline

22 July: Standard Deadline

5 August: Final Deadline

2020 Winners

Digital Awards

Powered by Campaign, the Campaign Big Awards were announced on Thursday 26th November 2020 in a digital awards ceremony. A big thanks to all of our judges, including our student judges from Brixton Finishing School,

A massive congratulations to all of the winners!

Brixton Finishing School

Students Choice Award

The Campaign Big Awards is for the first time opening the doors to its virtual judging room to invite students from the Brixton Finishing School to make a contribution to the process.

Twelve students will choose their own winner from the TV & Cinema shortlisted entries that have already been chosen by a pool of senior industry creative judges. This additional award does not require a submission and will be chosen from the shortlist detailed here.

The Brixton Finishing School students will be asked to facilitate discussions on the shortlisted entries before they select a winner. They will also receive a briefing from the chairs of the judges, Mother's Ana Balarin and Adam & Eve/DDB's Rick Brim before they begin. The group will then devise a unique way to present the award to the winner on the night and will be given a budget for the purpose.

The move is designed to help diversify the Big Awards judging so that judges and students can learn from each other through debate with people spanning different levels, skills and experiences.

Balarin and Brim said: “Judging the Bigs will only get better by being more open, and inviting the next generation of creative talent from Brixton Finishing School to share their thoughts on the work is a part of that.

"We hope having them in the virtual room on the day will give them a really powerful learning experience, and bring fresh perspective and insights to the judges too.”

It is planned to be the start of building longer-term engagement between Campaign and Brixton Finishing School talent, and an ongoing commitment by Campaign to prioritise diversity in its judging panels.

Gideon Spanier, Campaign’s editor-in-chief, added: "The judging for our awards is important because it's about dedicated people from across the industry coming together to recognise creative excellence and learn from each other during the process.

"We hope that by inviting students from Brixton Finishing School to observe and participate in the judging for the Campaign Big Awards, it will help inspire the next generation of talent. Awards don't just reward great work.

"They can help to raise morale, propel careers and win new business – all of which matters even more this year because of the coronavirus crisis."

About Brixton Finishing School

Brixton Finishing School disrupts the way the Creative Industries recruit talent. We are an ‘end to end ‘ solution to the Creative Industries diversity challenges.We provide a free, 12-week, premium learning experience, delivering creative and digital skills and real-world advertising experiences. We prepare our students for a pool of entry-level roles available just for them or for jobs in the wider industry.

Diverse teams deliver businesses a competitive advantage. Different types of thinking mean new perspectives, fresh ideas and better advertising/creative work. We conduct outreach into groups ‘under-represented’ in the creative industries (BAME, Working Class, NeuroDiverse, Female) to find those with untapped potential.

Our big name industry sponsors create a pool of entry-level roles just for graduates of the course. Last year we delivered a 95% employment success rate.

BFS is also launching its AD-Cademy, a national campaign designed to tackle the industry's lack of presence within diverse communities.

Sponsorship opportunities

Campaign is the number one brand in the industries we work in - we have the best industry knowledge; we’re connected to a highly engaged audience and our journalism is of the highest quality.

The Campaign Big Awards are Campaigns flagship event. They celebrate the very best in British advertising and champion creativity in the advertising industry.

Partnership Proposition

The Awards give you access to our highly engaged audience via Campaign magazine and website, as well as the Awards website and social media channels.

Our database of senior industry leaders gets your business in front of influential people in the advertising industry.

Benefit from brand awareness through our marketing campaigns to increase awareness of your organisation, its products and services.

Create an association with excellence. The agencies which make it through to the shortlist have been rigorously judged by our jury panel of top industry professionals.

Get in touch with us at [email protected], if you would like to find out more about our sponsorship opportunities.