Categories
Please see the following descriptions for information on each category.
For further clarification on the judging criteria, click here, or visit the Entry Essentials Page for more information on guidelines and entry fees.
Sector & Campaign Awards
Every industry and sector is different, not just in terms of business area, but in terms of rules, competition, tactics, and strategies that make you stand out from the crowd. In each sector-based category, judges will be examining the thinking, approach and implementation of campaigns that achieve business goals and outstanding results, whether that is through technical innovation, strategic use of data or creative use of content across media platforms.
Paid Media Campaign of the Year
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Judges are looking for campaigns where paid media has served as the primary method for promoting content and driving engagement and exposure.
Collaborative Campaign of the Year
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Show judges how collaborative working with clients has achieved results for both parties. How have you taken a client's vision to craft a campaign that keeps their idea at the heart, but has been driven by your expertise in paid media?
Paid Social Media Campaign of the Year
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Campaigns across social media have become an integral part of a campaign. Judges are looking for campaigns which demonstrate that social channels have been successful at delivering results. Social channels include, but are not exclusive, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pintrest, Threads, YouTube and X.
Paid Search Campaign of the Year
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Open to companies working in any industry vertical. Judges are looking for a campaign that has seen results from the use of search engines to drive clicks.
Shopping Ads Campaign of the Year
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Open to agencies working with retail organisations to boost traffic to websites, broaden online presence and drive sales.
Display Ads Campaign of the Year
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Judges want to understand how pop-ups, wallpaper ads, banners and video ads have been strategically used to achieve campaign goals.
New to 2025: B2B Campaign of the Year
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Judges are looking at how you pushed ads and increased visibility to increase engagement and ROI whilst maintaining relationships and ensuring returning customers essential for B2B success.
New to 2025: B2C Campaign of the Year
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When consumers are being fed content 24/7 how has your paid media strategy cut through the noise to make an impact and drive clicks that result in customer spend. Judges want to see how you measured results against your initial objectives.
Travel/Leisure Campaign of the Year
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From travel to sport to gaming – this category celebrates campaigns that put down time on audience agenda.
Retail Campaign of the Year
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If innovative paid media decisions have led to checkouts then showcase how you did it to impress our judges.
Finance Campaign of the Year
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The financial sector is beset with rules and regulations. This award recognises the difficulties that paid media faces and celebrates enhanced visibility of banking, insurance, or financial services and websites through paid activity.
Hospitality Campaign of the Year
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In a tough industry sector, when Judges are looking for a paid media campaign that has demonstrated no reservation in relation to creativity to drive bookings.
New to 2025: Real Estate & Property Campaign of the Year
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Competition in the real estate sector is fierce and judges want to see a targeted paid media strategy that has increased engagement with brand and product that has led to measurable ROI.
New to 2025: FMCG Campaign of the Year
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Judges are looking for paid media strategy that drove engagement to an FMCG brand or company and contributed to measurable results.
New to 2025: eCommerce Campaign of the Year
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Judges are looking for paid strategy that cuts through the marketplace to engage targeted audience and drive clicks and check outs.
New to 2025: Lead Gen Campaign of the Year
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This award recognises the paid media that attracts prospects and increases interest through nurturing, with the end goal of conversion to customer. Judges want to see a detailed customer journey measured against objectives.
Local Campaign of the Year
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Local engagement can be essential to small and large businesses, if your campaign drove traffic the distance, Judges want to know what you did to achieve engagement and results.
Charity / Not for Profit Campaign of the Year
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Charity campaigns are about raising awareness and encouraging action in this category Judges want to see how you achieved outstanding engagement to drive donations.
Best Integrated Paid Media Campaign
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Judges want to see how campaigns utilised multiple channels to achieve results based on initial objectives and target audience.
Best Use of Amazon Ads
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Judges want to learn how campaigns utilised Amazon Ads to meet objectives and your key metrics.
Best Use Of LinkedIn Ads
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Judges want to learn how campaigns utilised LinkedIn Ads to meet objectives and your key metrics.
Best Use of Meta Ads
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Judges want to learn how campaigns utilise Meta (Facebook/Instagram Ads) as an ads platform to increase engagement, drive clicks and meet/exceed objectives and key metrics.
Best Use of Snapchat Ads
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Judges want to learn how campaigns utilised Snapchat Ads to meet objectives and your key metrics.
Best Use of TikTok Ads
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Judges want to learn how campaigns utilised TikTok Ads and the specific platform anomalies, guidelines and rules to drive results.
Best Use of Video
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Moving images and video have become an integral part of engaging targeted audiences. Judges want to understand your audience, your images and your paid spend results.
Best Use of Data
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The key to success is the data you work with. Judges want to understand how you used data to create and implement campaigns and achieve results.
Best Use of Attribution
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Evaluation of key marketing touchpoints is essential for paid media success, what marketing channel decisions did you make and why to generate conversions and optimise resources.
Best Use of Automation
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Judges want to understand how you utilised automation to speak to your audience, customise experience and maintain communication through use of omnichannel tactics.
Best Use of AI In Paid Media
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This category celebrates exceptional applications of artificial intelligence that have revolutionised and optimised paid media campaigns. Judges will recognise campaigns that have demonstrated innovative and strategic integration of AI technologies to enhance targeting, personalisation, and overall performance across various digital platforms.
Innovation & Technology Awards
These categories celebrate the innovative tech that is enhancing the way teams and agencies do business and achieve results. Judges are looking for game-changing tools, innovative technology that disrupts and improves working, and exceptional results.
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Paid Search Technology of the Year
Judges are looking for technology that solves paid media problems and supports teams to work effectively and efficiently and consequently drive profits.
Social Technology of the Year
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Judges are looking for technology that supports and enhances paid media social output and helps teams to achieve goals across social media platforms.
Innovation Awards
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Judges are looking for an innovative addition to the Paid Media industry, one that enhances the way teams and agencies work and achieve results.
Agency & Team Awards
Every agency and team face challenges, but it is how you overcome them to be triumphant that makes you great. Judges will consider company culture and employee development, quality of work, client wins and retention and growth and profitability. Entries include details of the team, evidence of exceptional work that is transformational and delivers exceptional results, ROI, team development, training opportunities and staff retention.
Emerging Talent Award
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Your team is harbouring the talent of the future. Recognise and reward their work and contribution to your business and the paid media industry. Entrants must be under the age of 30 on the date of the awards ceremony.
Start-Up Paid Media Agency of the Year
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Award entry can be transformational for agencies under 24 months/2 years. Join the community and celebrate your achievements with industry peers.
In-House Paid Media Team of the Year
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Open to companies and brands with in-house teams delivering paid media campaigns and strategy. Judges will be recognising teams who are consistently achieving objectives and delivering on ROI. (Not open to Agency paid media teams)
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Small Paid Media Agency of the Year (25 and under employees)
Showcase your work and agency and benchmark your agency against competition that is the same size as you.
Large Paid Media Agency of the Year (26+ employees)
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Showcase your work and agency and benchmark your agency against competition that is the same size as you.
Our Event Sponsors & Partners
Testimonials
“Being nominated for this award was already an incredible achievement for us, but taking home the award is something we’re immensely proud of. It truly validates our hard work, energy, and enthusiasm for what we do. We’ve had some really tough setbacks in the last couple of years, but instead of holding us back, we’ve pivoted and moved forward on our strongest foot. We can’t wait to power through 2024!”
Julia Symonds, Co-Founder outbloom
“Winning the Best Use of Amazon Ads at the 2024 UK Paid Media Awards is a tremendous honour for us at Fluid Marketplaces. It underscores our commitment to excellence and innovation in the digital marketplace, and celebrates our success in driving significant growth for our clients like Le Col. This accolade not only validates our strategic approach but also inspires us to continue pioneering in the ecommerce space.”
Adam Hindle, Managing Director Fluid Marketplaces
"Being recognised at the UK Paid Media Awards is the ultimate validation of Happy Yolk’s collaborative work with Pooky Lighting. Our laser-focused targeting, creativity, and comprehensive strategy generated top-notch leads and ROI, propelling our campaign into the spotlight as a worthy contender. We’re thrilled to be in the running and to be among so many great agencies."
Happy Yolk
“We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for the UK Paid Media Awards due to its prestigious nature and standing in the digital marketing world. We feel that being shortlisted for awards like this is a testament and culmination of the hard work that has been put in by both our team and our clients.”
Seb Dean, Managing Director Imaginaire
"After taking home gold last year for Best Integrated Paid Media Campaign, we decided to throw our hat in the ring again this year. We also saw success at the UK Search Awards 2023 whereby we took home Best Low Budget PPC Campaign and Best Integrated Campaign. Following a very busy year with huge client wins and impressive performance results produced quality material to work with for our entries. As a boutique agency we pride ourselves on our dedication and diligence to each client relationship and the clients from our nominated campaigns – The Online Lighting Store and Supersoil were ecstatic to hear of the recognition of the joint efforts."
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