Written by: Izzy Branson-Hammond, Marketing Manager, Festival of Media
The Festival of Media Cause Campaign Awards 2025 once again celebrated the very best in media, shining a spotlight on campaigns demonstrating how media can be used as a powerful force for good across the globe.
Leading the way was ‘Just Joking’ by PHD US, which secured the prestigious Grand Prix for Campaign of the Year.
Created for Sandy Hook Promise, ‘Just Joking’ used comedy to deliver a powerful message about the warning signs of school shootings. Real threats made by school shooters were performed by well-known comedians as stand-up jokes, initially making audiences laugh before revealing the disturbing truth behind the words.
The campaign challenged audiences’ desensitisation to gun violence, encouraging people to take threats seriously and speak up when they see warning signs. The results were significant, generating 1.2 billion media impressions and more than 500 million video views — all with $0 media spend.
But ‘Just Joking’ was just one of the outstanding campaigns recognised by our judges.
We’ve rounded up the Top 10 Most Awarded Campaigns from the Festival of Media Cause Campaign Awards 2025. Explore the campaigns that captured the attention of our judges and earned the highest number of accolades at last year’s awards.
Watch the full case studies below and discover the ideas, strategies and stories behind their success via our YouTube channel.
1. Just Joking
Entered by PHD US
Watch the full case study on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/Kl1uPTSgs5E
2. Uncensored Press: Breaching The Algorithm
Entered by OMD Dubai
Watch the full case study on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/-ST9czu-IDo
3. EstibADores
Entered by OMD Peru
Watch the full case study on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/JgOJ04yhzc0
4. Real Beauty Redefined for the AI Era
Entered by Mindshare US
Watch the full case study on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/pcEEdfhFjt8
5. The KITA Initiative: Making Women-Owned Businesses Seen, One Sign at a Time
Entered by Havas Ortega
Watch the full case study on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/KnSfyQtnWJI
6. ‘Good Tings’: How 2degrees Expanded Its Fight for Fair
Entered by OMD New Zealand
Watch the full case study on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/Mz3xSYlf1n8
7. Me Feat. Me
Entered by PHD Chile
Watch the full case study on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/E5P36fvPszs
8. See Through My Eyes
Entered by Publimark MullenLowe
Watch the full case study on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/3C6tXDdCdNg
9. Never Settle
Entered by PHD Ireland
Watch the full case study on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/nbTY7XK4CSc
10. Responsible Marketing Advisory: Great Marketing Is Also Responsible Marketing
Entered by Responsible Marketing Advisory
Watch the full case study on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/UTCZXjeWoiA
Explore the Full Winners List
Want to discover more of the campaigns recognised at the Festival of Media Cause Campaign Awards 2025?
Explore the full winners list here:
https://www.festivalofmedia.com/cause-campaign-awards/shortlisted/
For any marketing questions, please contact Izzy Branson-Hammond at izzy.branson-hammond@festivalofmedia.com.
To find out more about the Festival of Media and our award programmes, visit:
https://www.festivalofmedia.com/awards/
Read the full winners press release here:
https://www.festivalofmedia.com/press/company-news/cause-campaign-awards-2025-winners-announced/
