- Exclusive Eligibility: Only nationally awarded work qualifies, ensuring the highest caliber of entries.
- Five New Categories: Art Direction, Digital Direct Marketing, Influencer Marketing, Creative Effectiveness, and Artificial Intelligence.
- Public Finale: For the first time, the third judging round is open to all attendees during ADCE Creative Week.
- Fair Fees: A flat entry fee applies to all, with discounts for freelancers and Ukrainian creatives.
- Global Impact: Winners contribute to The One Club’s Global Creative Rankings, amplifying international visibility.
With additions like AI and influencer marketing, ADCE keeps pace with emerging industry trends.
Europe’s most prestigious gathering of nationally celebrated design and advertising work has once again opened its doors, and the 2025 ADCE Awards promise to be the most dynamic edition yet.
Beyond inviting only those projects that have already triumphed on home soil, this year’s ADCE Awards expand their creative horizon by introducing five brand‑new categories designed to capture the industry’s cutting edge:
- Art Direction (Print & Outdoor)
- Digital Direct Marketing (Interactive & Mobile)
- Influencer Marketing (Interactive & Mobile)
- Creative Effectiveness (Brand Experience)
- Artificial Intelligence (Integrated & Innovation)
With submissions open until September 26 and a first‑ever public final judging round during ADCE Creative Week in Barcelona, senior marketers and creative directors have an unmissable opportunity to translate local success into continental—and global—recognition.
@ied_official We flew to Barcelona to land at the ADCE 🔥 #iedstudent #adce #barcelona #communication #design #project
A Curated Celebration of National Excellence
Every year, the ADCE Awards distinguish themselves by inviting only those projects that have already earned recognition at their home markets’ premier award ceremonies.
“Only works that have already been recognized at a national level are eligible, ensuring that entries represent the finest local creativity while gaining international visibility and promotion.”
This vetting process guarantees a field of finalists whose quality has already been vetted by their peers, creating a competition that is both exclusive and relentlessly high caliber.
To submit, entrants simply upload their work via the official Awards Platform before the closing date. This streamlined approach gives teams—from large agencies to boutique independents—ample time to prepare a compelling entry narrative that highlights strategic objectives, creative challenges, and the impact achieved.
Judging: From Virtual Debates to a Public Spectacle
The 2025 evaluation process unfolds in three distinct stages. The first two rounds are conducted online by a jury composed of Europe’s leading creative minds. These seasoned professionals engage in robust debate, weighing each submission against rigorous criteria that balance craft, innovation, and real‑world effectiveness.
In November, the competition shifts to Barcelona’s Disseny Hub, where finalists convene for an in‑person showdown. For the first time in ADCE history, this climactic round will be open to all attendees of ADCE Creative Week. Witnessing the live selection of Special Awards and the coveted Grand Prix elevates the ceremony from a closed industry event to a public forum celebrating the creative process in its rawest form.
ADCE Creative Week & Gala Celebrations
Strategically timed around the finale, ADCE Creative Week transforms Barcelona into a hub for the creative community. Workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions provide attendees with fresh perspectives on emerging disciplines, perfect for senior marketers seeking to stay ahead of the curve.
The Student Awards Gala shines a spotlight on tomorrow’s talent, while the ADCE Awards Gala culminates in a formal celebration recognizing professional excellence. Both events offer invaluable opportunities to forge partnerships and ignite conversations that extend far beyond the competition itself.
Expanding Horizons: Five New Categories
Reflecting the rapid evolution of marketing channels and technologies, ADCE has introduced five categories designed to capture today’s most innovative work:
- Art Direction (Print & Outdoor): This category honors projects where visual storytelling is elevated through the seamless fusion of imagery, typography, and environmental context—work that transforms static media into immersive brand statements.
- Digital Direct Marketing (Interactive & Mobile): Personalized social posts, targeted email campaigns, and bespoke messaging solutions are recognized here, underscoring the continuing importance of one‑to‑one communication in building consumer relationships.
- Influencer Marketing (Interactive & Mobile): As collaborations between brands and creators mature into strategic partnerships, this category celebrates campaigns that harness a creator’s authenticity and reach to amplify brand narratives across multiple platforms.
- Creative Effectiveness (Brand Experience): Moving beyond aesthetics, this track rewards initiatives that deliver measurable business impact. Entries must demonstrate how insights and strategy are translated into tangible results, bridging the gap between creative ambition and commercial success.
- Artificial Intelligence (Integrated & Innovation): Work that pushes the boundaries of creativity through AI—whether by generating novel concepts, optimizing production workflows, or personalizing user experiences at scale—finds its place here, signaling the industry’s embrace of machine‑assisted innovation.
By aligning its categories with both established disciplines and cutting‑edge trends, ADCE ensures that entries present a balanced portrait of where European creativity stands today—and where it is headed tomorrow.
Fair Fees & Inclusive Access
A cornerstone of ADCE’s mission as a nonprofit is to reinvest entry revenues into educational and professional development initiatives across Europe. To foster inclusivity, a single flat fee now applies to all locally awarded work, streamlining the process and guaranteeing equal access regardless of previous medal color.
Freelancers benefit from a generous reduction, and to support creatives facing extraordinary challenges, Ukrainian entrants receive a substantial discount. These measures ensure that no deserving work is sidelined due to budget constraints.
Global Stages & Lasting Recognition
ADCE’s merger with The One Club for Creativity has amplified its global reach. All ADCE winners now contribute points toward The One Club’s Global Creative Rankings, the industry’s definitive benchmark of agency, brand, and individual performance.
This integration means that success in a local market can quickly translate into elevated standing on a worldwide platform, cementing reputations and unlocking new business opportunities.
Turning Local Wins into Continental Influence
For senior marketing leaders, the ADCE Awards offer more than trophies; they provide a strategic pathway to international visibility and peer‑validated authority.
To maximize impact:
- Curate your strongest nationally recognized work and tailor your submission narrative to emphasize strategic insights and innovation.
- Identify which of the five new categories best aligns with your creative approach and ensure your entry highlights relevant outcomes.
- Leverage ADCE Creative Week as a platform to connect with industry peers, gain fresh perspectives, and position your brand at the forefront of emerging trends.
By engaging fully with this expanded framework—and by witnessing the live finale this November—Europe’s creative community can transform local success into enduring influence across the continent and beyond.
