Written by Izzy Branson-Hammond, Marketing Manager, Festival of Media
Join us on the 10th December for an evening celebrating the best in North American media, as this year’s winners are announced live and the industry’s leading campaigns, agencies and talent take centre stage.
The Festival of Media North America Awards 2026 will bring the media industry together in New York on the 10th of December, with Horizon Media partnering with the awards as venue host for an evening celebrating the campaigns, agencies and talent shaping the future of media across the region.
Taking place at Horizon Media, 75 Varick Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10013, the ceremony will unite industry leaders, shortlisted entrants and judges for a night of recognition, networking and celebration. Most importantly, it will be the moment when this year’s winners are revealed live, as the industry discovers which campaigns and agencies will take home the coveted honours. Gold-winning entrants will be invited to collect their trophies on stage, making it an unmissable occasion for those celebrating their achievements.
With food and drinks served throughout the evening, alongside a panel discussion exploring one of the most important and timely topics in media today, the ceremony promises to combine industry knowledge with a celebration of outstanding work. It will also offer a valuable opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas and recognise the teams pushing the boundaries of media across North America.
For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will also be available virtually, with a Zoom link sent via email 24 hours before the event.
Before the industry gathers in New York, the Festival of Media North America Awards 2026 shortlist will be announced on the 29th of October 2026, revealing the campaigns, agencies and brands that have impressed the judges. The announcement will mark the beginning of the final countdown to the ceremony, building anticipation around the work and the teams hoping to secure one of the industry’s most sought-after accolades.
Among the biggest talking points ahead of this year’s ceremony is the race for Agency Network of the Year, a title that has seen fierce competition in recent years. PHD claimed the crown in both 2020 and 2021 before Initiative took over, securing an impressive hat-trick of wins between 2022 and 2024. Last year, PHD fought its way back to the top, reclaiming the title and reigniting the rivalry between the two industry heavyweights.
As the 2026 awards approach, the question is whether PHD can defend its crown, Initiative can reclaim the title, or another agency network will emerge to take the spotlight. With both networks boasting an impressive history of success, the awards promise to be one to watch. The answer, alongside the winners of the Grand Prix and other coveted awards, will be revealed live at Horizon Media on the 10th of December.
With the first judging stage now nearing completion, attention will soon turn to the final round of judging, which will take place live in New York in a dedicated judging session hosted by Collectively. Bringing together an exceptional jury of senior client-side leaders from some of the world’s most influential brands, including Unilever, Uber, TikTok, Mars, the NBA, JPMorgan, Microsoft, Netflix, Estée Lauder, SharkNinja and Samsung.
The session will see judges come together to debate the shortlisted work, share their perspectives and determine this year’s ultimate winners. The final round will mark the culmination of the judging process, with the results remaining under wraps until they are announced live at the Festival of Media North America Awards ceremony!
With the shortlist announcement just around the corner, anticipation is building to discover which campaigns will claim Gold, which teams will take home the top honours and who will emerge victorious in this year’s agency network race. The ceremony will bring the competition to its conclusion, giving the industry the opportunity to celebrate the achievements behind another exceptional year for North American media.
Ticket sales close at 5 pm on Wednesday the 9th of December, so secure your place and join us at Horizon Media the following day for the final Festival of Media awards celebration of 2026.
Whether you are supporting a shortlisted campaign, backing your agency network or simply looking to connect with the people shaping the future of media, this is your opportunity to be in the room when the winners are announced.
Register for your free ticket here.
We look forward to welcoming you to Horizon Media on the 10th of December to reveal this year’s winners and celebrate the very best of North American media together.
