This award recognises excellence and innovation in the field of audio advertising technology, specifically focusing on the performance and impact of audio ad exchanges, demand-side platforms (DSPs), and supply-side platforms (SSPs). This category honours platforms that have demonstrated exceptional capabilities in facilitating the buying and selling of audio ad inventory, optimising ad delivery, and enhancing the overall audio advertising ecosystem.

Awarded to the best pre-packaged audio advertisement, which demonstrates creativity, innovation, and high production quality. Judges will evaluate the advert's ability to capture the audience's attention and deliver the brand's message in a compelling way. Includes any form of audio advert, from radio, podcasts, streaming, apps & games.

This award will be granted to a partnership through broadcast, podcasting or streaming that showcases collaborative innovation and strategic alignment between the brands involved. The winning partnership will demonstrate a unique and mutually beneficial approach, driving value for both brands while aligning with their long-term objectives and goals.

The award recognises branded content within existing shows - including branded miniseries, branded episodes and branded segments - demonstrating exceptional storytelling while seamlessly integrating the brand's messaging. Judges will evaluate the brand's relevance and how effectively it aligns with the podcast's identity, creating a memorable and enjoyable listening experience. Judges will also look for measurable impact on brand awareness and listener engagement, and long-term value for both the podcast and the brand.

This award recognises innovation in branded content podcasting, including creativity in format and execution. Judges will look for delivery of commercial goals, audience figures and evidence of growth and/or added value for the brand. Evidence of how the podcast team adapted and/or innovated to suit business conditions will also be considered by the judges.

This award recognises innovation in branded content podcasting, including creativity in format and execution. Judges will look for delivery of commercial goals, audience figures and evidence of growth and/or added value for the brand. Evidence of how the podcast team adapted and/or innovated to suit business conditions will also be considered by the judges.

This category celebrates audio advertising campaigns designed to deliver specific results with a focus on driving actions. Entries will be evaluated based on clear and well-defined campaign objectives, highlighting the alignment between the goals and the achieved outcomes. The winning campaigns will demonstrate a data-driven approach, utilising key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success and optimise performance. Moreover, judges will consider the campaign's ability to drive action and conversions, as well as its overall impact on brand awareness and customer engagement.

This award celebrates sponsored experiences that effectively connect with the audience beyond the audio medium. This can include live recordings, tie-in events, festivals or conferences, and in-person activations at wider events. Judges will evaluate the creativity, execution, and impact of the activation. The winning entry will have effectively leveraged the power of live events or interactive experiences to forge a deeper connection with its audience, leaving a lasting impression and fostering brand loyalty.

This award recognises work which demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. Judges will evaluate entries based on campaign or production environmental impact, educational value, and creativity. Ethical practices and audience engagement will be considered, along with the potential long-term impact of the campaign on promoting sustainable behaviours. The award aims to recognise and honour initiatives that go beyond compelling messaging, actively contributing to a greener and more sustainable world.

This award acknowledges exceptional efforts in leveraging insights and research to enhance the effectiveness of audio advertising campaigns. Judges will evaluate entries based on the depth of the research conducted to understand the target audience, market trends, and consumer behaviour. Innovative research methods that provide unique perspectives and uncover untapped opportunities will be valued, as well as the measurable impact of the insights on campaign results. The winning entry will exemplify the power of research-driven strategies in elevating audio advertising to new heights of effectiveness and audience engagement.

This award celebrates outstanding social media strategies that enhance the impact of an audio advertising campaign. Judges will evaluate entries based on the creativity and originality of the social media content. The award will recognise campaigns that excel in audience engagement, fostering meaningful conversations, encouraging user-generated content, and creating a vibrant community around the audio advertisement. The winning social strategy will demonstrate the power of combining audio advertising and social media to create a compelling and immersive brand experience.

This award honours the most sophisticated, creative and effective commercial campaign of the year, which delivers on commercial objectives for clients through medium of delivery, concept and audience engagement.

Aimed at celebrating skilful audio craft and production flair, this award celebrates the very best in audio creativity. Judges will be looking for production companies and creative studios who have leveraged the unique properties of audio, and who have demonstrated thoughtful and effective approaches to campaign planning and production to meet clients’ goals.

Sound is a powerful emotional influencer meaning that audio advertising can play a powerful role in building brands in the longer-term. This category awards campaigns that have committed to audio strategically over time to build the brand. The entry should clearly identify the role for audio alongside other media (if used) and include strong evidence of the effect of audio on brand-related metrics and/or long-term business growth.

This award recognises the agencies that are most effectively working audio into their clients’ media plans. Whether it’s the centrepiece of a campaign, or a supporting channel being used particularly thoughtfully, the winner of this award will demonstrate a clear understanding of audio’s role in a media plan, as well as impactful use of audio channels to meet campaign objectives.