February 5, 2021
Deadline to enter competition online
May 2021
Shortlist announcements
June 3, 2021
2021 ADCC Awards
The Advertising & Design Club of Canada’s Awards Show exists to recognize Canadian creative talent.
To ensure your entry qualifies, pay close attention to the category name. For example, if you are entering a photography or illustration category, the award recipient would be the photographer or illustrator. The award recipient must be Canadian, or have official residence status in Canada. For most of the other categories, a key creative team member such as the art director, writer or designer would be the award recipient and therefore must be Canadian. The entry rules do allow for the participation of non-Canadians in the creation of work entered. However, the key creative individual responsible for the work must be Canadian. If you are unsure whether your work meets the requirements for entry, please contact The Advertising & Design Club of Canada (ADCC).
Work must have been first published or aired between June 2019 and January 2021 inclusive.
Please note: Work from June 2019 that was entered into the 2019 ADCC Awards cannot be entered into this year’s competition.
The Advertising & Design Club of Canada’s Directions Awards are judged by panels of international creative professionals. Judging panels will be announced prior to judging.
There will be no more than one Gold award in each of the competition categories. The Club will provide a Gold award statue to the individual or company who paid the entry fee. The Club will also provide printed certificates for Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners to the individual or company who paid the entry fee. Winners may purchase additional certificates or statues through The ADCC.
Winners will be announced at our 2021 ADCC Awards online show on June 3, 2021. All winning work will be featured online on the ADCC Archive.
The Advertising & Design Club of Canada (ADCC) is not responsible for damage or loss of any entry. All entries become the property of The ADCC. By submitting them, you acknowledge The ADCC’s right to use them for exhibition and publication purposes, including publication online. We regret that it is not possible to return entries. Judges reserve the right to correct or change the category of an entry where applicable. Entrants may be asked to resubmit winning work for exhibition.
All entrants must submit an Executive Approval Form with their entries. This form must be filled out by the Creative Director or other lead creative responsible for your entries. Forms can be emailed to awards@theadcc.ca or faxed to 416.423.3362
All entries must be submitted online through Iceberg.
Full entry requirements and tech specs are listed in the 2021 ADCC Awards Entry Guide. Please check all requirements and specifications carefully to ensure your entries are prepared properly.
Still have questions about entering your work? Contact The ADCC by email at awards@theadcc.ca or by phone at 416.423.4113.
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SINGLE ENTRY |
$195 |
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CAMPAIGN ENTRY |
$225 |
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SINLE ENTRY |
$120 |
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SERIES ENTRY |
$135 |
Members save on the ADCC Awards.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS
Professional members that are freelancers save 15% on entry fees. Professional membership runs on a calendar year (January-December 2021); annual membership dues are $150 plus tax.
Please note: this discount is not available to members that are entering work on behalf of larger companies.
CORPORATE MEMBERS
Corporate membership is based on company size and offers a set number of free single entries. These memberships run on a calendar year (January-December 2021).
Studio - 2-15 employees: 1 free single entry - $250 plus tax
Small Agency - 16-50 employees: 3 free single entries - $750 plus tax
Agency - over 50 employees: 5 free single entries - $2,000 plus tax
Both types of membership offer additional benefits. For full details or to become a Member, visit theadcc.ca/membership or email us at membership@theadcc.ca.
ADCC Members will be sent a promotional code to access their discounts on entries. Members must enter the promotional code at checkout, prior to payment on the system. New memberships must be activated prior to entry.
It is recommended that you complete all your entries before paying your balance. Payment can be made by credit card online through Iceberg when submitting your entries.
If you are an ADCC Member, please make sure that you are using your promotional code to access the Member fee rate before proceeding with payment.
Payment can also be made offline by cheque. If paying offline, cheques must arrive at the ADCC office within 14 days of completing entries online. Your entry invoice must be included with the cheque.
Please make cheques payable to The Advertising & Design Club of Canada and send to:
2021 ADCC Awards
The Advertising & Design Club of Canada
401 Richmond Street West, Studio 235
Toronto, ON M5V 3A8
Entry fees will not be refunded for submissions that do not meet ADCC eligibility requirements.
If work is entered into the wrong category or there are duplicate entries, entrants will have the option to i) move the entry to another category, or ii) enter new work in its place.
D1 - Symbols and Logotypes
The name of the organization and the type of work it does should be indicated under each symbol. Both static and in- motion logos can be entered in this category.
D2 - Stationery
D3 - Brand Identity - New Brand
The successful execution of a scheme across various touch points for a new brand, organization, product or service (e.g. logo, stationery, standards, manual, signage, vehicles, packaging).
D4 - Brand Identity - Rebrand
Rebrand or refresh of an existing brand, organization, product or service. A rationale is required (must include previous logo and written rationale of 250 words).
D5 - Complete Design Program
The integrated application of a design concept across multiple formats (e.g. brochures, posters, invitations, menu, program). Brand identities are not suitable for this category.
D6 - Annual Reports, Sustainability/CSR Reports
D7 - Brochures
D8 - Catalogues
D9 - Package Design, Single
D10 - Package Design, Series
D11 - Single Magazine Page or Spread
Commercial magazines or in-house magazines/newspaper/newsletter.
D12 - Magazine Covers
Commercial magazines or in-house magazines/newspaper/newsletter.
D13 - Entire Magazine Issue
Commercial magazines or in-house magazines/newspaper/newsletter.
D14 - Book Covers
D15 - Complete Book Design
D16 - Posters, Single
D17 - Posters, Series (Max. 5)
D18 - Environmental Design
Signage, exhibitions, displays, etc.
D19 - Public Service Design, Single
Government agency or non-profit. Single executions only.
D20 - Public Service Design, Series
Government agency or non-profit.
D21 - Data Visualization
Creative visual representation of data - both print or digital, static or dynamic (e.g. infographics, charts, maps, graphs).
D22 - Graphic Design Self-Promotion
D23 - Typographic Design
Any item where type functions in an illustrative manner. Includes editorial typography.
D24 - Graphic Design Miscellaneous
Calendars, menus, greeting cards, announcements, invitations, stamps, CD covers, etc. Work entered into D1-D22 cannot be entered into D24.
D25 - Motion Graphics - Offline
All offline animated graphic design (e.g. TV and film identity, openings, teasers and title sequences, presentations, concert graphics, typography).
D26 - Motion Graphics - Online
All online animated graphic design (e.g. social media, online graphics).
D27 - Digital Design
All online graphic design, including websites and applications
D28 - Editorial Digital Design
Apps and other digital publications that successfully combine functionality with visual and graphic design elements, including ease of navigation, readability of content, pictures, video, audio, animation or a combination. Entries may or may not be affiliated with a print magazine. Magazine website entries are not eligible.
Photographers and illustrators must be Canadian or have resident status in Canada.Agencies and studios are still eligible to enter work in the photography and illustration categories, as long as the illustrator or photographer meet our eligibility requirements.
PH1 - Advertising Photography, Single *
PH2 - Advertising Photography, Campaign *
PH3 - Graphic Design Photography *
PH4 - Editorial Photography*
Includes conceptual photography, fashion photography, portrait photography, still-life photography and photojournalism (photographic reporting, which may include spot news photography).
PH5 - Unpublished Photography
IL1 - Advertising Illustration, Single or Campaign *
IL2 - Graphic Design Illustration *
IL3 - Editorial Illustration*
Full page, spread, cover, and spot illustration – single or series.
IL4 - Unpublished Illustration
* Entries must be submitted in context.
P1 - Newspaper Ad, Single
P2 - Newspaper Ad, Campaign (max. 3)
P3 - Consumer Magazine Ad, Single
P4 - Consumer Magazine Ad, Campaign (max. 3)
P5 - Trade Ad, Single or Campaign
P6 - Public Service Ad Print, Single
P7 - Public Service Ad Print, Campaign (max. 3)
P8 - Public Service Non-Traditional
Out of home, experiential, direct, or promo - single or campaign executions. Film or digital work is not eligible.
P9 - Advertising Posters, Single
Wild postings, standard washroom or free format posters (P.O.P. posters or pole signs), etc.
P10 - Advertising Posters, Campaign (max. 3)
Wild postings, standard washroom or free format posters (P.O.P. posters or pole signs), etc.
P11 - Advertising Transit, Single
Work specifically designed to run within a transit system (e.g., platform posters, transit door cards, transit cards, including bus advertising and transit-shelter ads).
P12 - Advertising Transit, Campaign (max. 3)
Work specifically designed to run within a transit system (e.g., platform posters, transit door cards, transit cards, including bus advertising and transit-shelter ads). Can include transit dominations, vinyls, takeovers and floor decals.
P13 - Advertising Billboard, Single
P14 - Advertising Billboard, Campaign (max. 3)
P15 - Out of Home Enhanced, Single
Executions that have used other technologies to enhance traditional media (e.g., extensions, special inks and printing techniques, digital boards, projection, SMS, installations). Work entered into P13 cannot be entered into P15.
P16 - Print Enhanced
Single or campaign executions that have used other technologies to enhance traditional print media (e.g., die-cuts, special inks and printing techniques, insertions, QR codes, sampling, augmented reality).
P17 - Experiential, Single
Out of home advertising that stands alone to communicate an idea (e.g., stunts, special builds/installations, street teams, live events, pop-up stores). The consumer is only required to experience the piece but not necessarily interact with it.
P18 - Direct
Communications designed to target specific markets or elicit a direct response.
P19 - Advertising Best Art Direction, Single
Art Director must be Canadian or have resident status in Canada.
P20 - Advertising Best Art Direction, Campaign
Art Director must be Canadian or have resident status in Canada.
P21 - Advertising Typography
P22 - Advertising Miscellaneous
Sales kits, calendars, self-promotion, business cards, holiday cards, etc. Single or campaign entries can be entered into this category. Work entered into P22 cannot be entered into P1-P20.
B1 - TV Single, 15 Seconds or Less
B2 - TV Single, 30 Seconds
B3 - TV Single, Over 30 Seconds
B4 - TV Single, Low Budget ($100,000 or Less)
B5 - TV Campaign (Max. 3)
B6 - Cinema, Single or Campaign
B7 - TV Public Service, Single
B8 - TV Public Service, Campaign (Max.3)
B9 - Online Single, Under 45 Seconds
Single videos designed to be viewed online. Work entered into B1-B8 cannot be entered into B9.
B10 - Online Single, Over 45 Seconds
Single videos designed to be viewed online. Work entered into B1-B8 cannot be entered into B10.
B11 - Online Series (Max. 5)
Series of videos designed to be viewed online. Work entered into B1-B8 cannot be entered into B11.
B12 - Online Public Service, Single or Series
Public service videos designed to be viewed online. Work entered into B1-B8 cannot be entered into B12.
B13 - Direction
Director must be Canadian or have resident status in Canada.
B14 - The Mick Griffin Best Editing Award
Editor must be Canadian or have resident status in Canada.
B15 - Animation
Animator must be Canadian or have resident status in Canada.
B16 - Cinematography
Cinematographer must be Canadian or have resident status in Canada.
B17- Original Music
Composer must be Canadian or have resident status in Canada.
B18 - Sound Design
Sound designer must be Canadian or have resident status in Canada.
B19 - Special Effects
Digital effects, CGI and compositing. Effects artist must be Canadian or have resident status in Canada.
B20 - Non-Commercial Film Craft
Non-commercial films, including music videos and short promotional videos. Director must be Canadian or have resident status in Canada.
B21 - Performance
Recognizing exceptional performance and casting in film (TV, cinema and online). Performance must be integral to the success of the piece.
Performer and casting house must be Canadian or have resident status in Canada.
R1 - Radio Single, 1-30 Seconds
R2 - Radio Single, Over 30 Seconds
R3 - Radio Campaign (max. 3)
R4 - Radio Public Service, Single
R5 - Radio Public Service, Campaign (max. 3)
R6 - Radio Sound Design & Music
Multichannel communications that are led by a central idea but use the mediums in different ways to make the overall communication stronger.
IC1 - Advertising Integrated Campaign
Each entry should consist of a campaign featuring a minimum of three different mediums and a maximum of ten. A case study video demonstrating all campaign executions is required.
Executions that evolve brand communications. This work should exhibit freshness, originality and have the potential to move the industry in a new direction.
MI1 - Media Innovation, Single
MI2 - Media Innovation, Campaign
Any communication or program that incites the target to directly participate or interact with the brand (e.g., stunts, sampling, coupons, live events).
PM1 - Promo, Single
PM2 - Promo, Campaign
Original advertiser funded content; the content is meant to entertain, influence, or inform. Work entered into B1-B12 cannot be entered into this category.
C1 - Branded Content, Single or Series
Communication programs that utilize mostly earned media methods to generate attention, influence brand perception and affect audience conversation.
PR1 - PR Campaign
PR2 - Influencer Campaign
PR3 - Stunt/Event
Entries must demonstrate how the creative work was integral to achieving a brand’s purpose and drove measurable results. Examples of measurable results include: increase of brand awareness, increase of market share, increase of sales volume, increase of ROI.
The eligibility period for Creative Effectiveness categories is June 2018 to January 2021 inclusive - work submitted must have been first published or aired during this time. Work previously entered into the 2019 ADCC Awards is eligible for entry into Creative Effectiveness categories only.
CE1 - Creative Effectiveness in Advertising
Advertising campaigns or single executions that produced measurable results.
CE2 - Creative Effectiveness in Advertising, Public Service
Advertising campaigns or single executions that produced measurable results, for a government agency or non-profit clients. Work entered into CE2 cannot be entered into CE1.
CE3 - Creative Effectiveness in Design
Brand identities, design programs, or single design executions that produced measurable results.
CE4 - Creative Effectiveness in Design, Public Service
Brand identities, design programs, or single design executions that produced measurable results, for government agency or non-profit clients. Work entered into CE4 cannot be entered into CE3.
The ADCC’s copywriting award is named to honour Michael O’Reilly for the talent, dedication, and generosity he brought to his profession.
BC1 - Advertising Print, Single or Campaign
BC2 - Film, Single or Campaign
BC3 - Radio, Single or Campaign
BC4 - Digital, Single or Campaign
Digital work part of larger marketing communications and campaigns.
I1 - Websites (Advertising)
Websites created to promote a product, service or organization.
I2 - Display & Banner Ads
Display ads and banner ads, single or campaign.
I3 - Pre-Roll
Online advertising that plays before the start of a video, single or campaign.
I4 - Digital Installations
Digital work that requires physical or gestural interaction.
I5 - Social Media
Campaigns and executions where social media is central to the experience.
I6 - Mobile
Campaigns and executions where a mobile device is central to the experience, including apps.
I7 - Design
Digital advertising campaigns and executions that feature interactive design elements.
I8 - Integrated Digital Campaigns
Campaigns that are primarily based on digital platforms. Campaigns should include two or more digital components - including websites, display advertising, social media, apps, data or creative technology. Offline parts of the campaign are accepted if they work with the digital components.
Digital work that stands alone (non-campaign). Work entered into Interactive Advertising is not eligible for these categories.
I9 - Websites (Design)
Submissions will be judged on all elements - both aesthetics and conceptual merit.
I10 - Website Animation & Motion
Submissions will be judged based on use of motion and animation.
I11 - Mobile Apps
Submissions will be judged on all elements with an emphasis on conceptual merit.
I12 - Mobile Design
Submissions will be judged on aesthetics.
I13 - User Interface & User Experience
Submissions may include websites and apps, and will be judged on overall flow and feel.
I14 - Experience Design
Physical experiences that rely on or incorporate digital elements.
I15 - Innovative Use of Technology
Digital work that demonstrates technical achievement.
I16 - Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality
Immersive digital experiences that create new worlds or augment this one.
I17 - Interactive Narrative
Digital campaigns and executions where user interaction shapes the narrative of the experience - including, but not limited to, interactive video.
I18 - Creative Data
Digital campaigns and executions where data is integral to its development and execution.
I19 - Smart Devices / Voice Assistants
Campaigns and executions that use smart devices and/or voice assistants.
I20 - Self-Promotion
Digital campaigns and executions promoting agencies or individuals. Video-only entries will not be accepted and should be entered into Online Video in Film.
I21 - Non-Profit & Public Service
Digital campaigns and executions promoting non-profit organizations or public services.
I22 - Education & Information
Digital campaigns and executions designed to educate or inform.
I23 - Games
Interactive games, on any platform (website, mobile, etc), branded or not.
I24 - Branded Utility
Digital products and experiences that provide a B2B or B2C utilities and services.
I25 - Best Use of Sound
Digital work where sound is integral to the experience.
I26 - Other
Any form of digital advertising that doesn’t fit in the above categories. Work entered into I25 cannot be entered into I1-I24.
For questions about categories, entry requirements and general 2020 ADCC Awards information, please contact The ADCC directly:
Email: awards@theadcc.ca
Phone: 416.423.4113
For questions about Iceberg and technical support, please contact Iceberg: support@icebergapp.com
For more information about the ADCC, please visit our website.
Please ensure you have read the Event Guidelines and are sure your question has not been answerred before contacting the 2021 ADCC Awards team.
Guidelines Questions
Upload standard definition or HD video files. Iceberg’s video platform is powered by Vimeo. Click here for video compression recommendations directly from Vimeo to ensure your videos are presented as clearly as possible.
There is a maximum file size of 1 GB per video.
Accepted file formats include: .AVI, .MOV, .MP4.
Upload standard definition or high resolution audio files. Our minimum recommendation would be stereo audio with at least two channels, AAC-LC audio codec, a 320 kbit/s data encode rate, and a 48 kHz sample rate.
There is a maximum file size of 50 MB per audio file.
Accepted file formats include: .AIFF, .WAV, .MP3.
Upload the highest resolution version of the image without exceeding the maximum file size of 25 MB per image.
Accepted file formats include: .PNG, .JPG, .JPEG, .GIF.
There is a maximum file size of 25 MB per document.
Accepted file formats include: .PDF.
Attach website URLs for your entry.