Judging

OPEN FOR ENTRIES! Final Deadline March 20, 2026
Main Round Judging Begins April 20, 2026

Main Round

In the 2026 In-House Excellence Awards program, over 350 jurors will participate in the Main Round of case reviews. Judges include ANA client-side marketing members, agency executives, in-house agency professionals, and leading consultants. The candidates are screened by the ANA and are assigned to judge entries from the categories in which they have expertise. Main round judges evaluate the submissions on three key factors: strategy, creative execution, and results.

All judge assignments are reviewed carefully for conflicts of interest. Jurors never review cases in categories where their company has also entered work for award consideration.

Main Round Jury Overview

• Judging Period: April 20, 2026 - May 5, 2026
• Location: Online via Judging Portal

Click here to register for the Main Round jury of the 2026 ANA In-House Excellence Awards.

Grand Jury

The ANA will convene an exclusive jury of senior client-side marketer members representing the highest standards of in-house marketing work that drives business results. These leaders will select and choose the work worthy of the overall “Best in Show” winner!

Winners will be announced during a live Awards Gala at the 2026 ANA In-House Agency Conference on June 23, 2026 in Huntington Beach, CA.

We are thankful for last year's ANA In-House Excellence Awards Grand Jury and Main Round jurors, without whom we would not be able to identify the most creative and innovate in-house agencies across the globe.

Here is what prior judges have to say:

The ANA In House Excellence Awards are an amazing opportunity to view how agencies are driving marketing excellence with their in house teams. Great work is being done that elevates marketing and it gives judges and opportunity to really understand the work, the evolution, and the impact of in-house marketing teams.

The ANA In-House Excellence Awards judging experience exposes you to the challenges and wins other organizations face, and offers object lessons in how you might guide your own in-house creative and marketing.

Reviewing and selecting in-house agencies for the ANA Excellence Award was both exhilarating and informative. It provided a unique opportunity to delve into the strategies and goals of various brands, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their marketing approaches.

Being a judge for the ANA In-House Agency Excellence Awards is one of the highlights of my year. It’s inspiring, energizing, and gives me real hope for the state of advertising—seeing world-class teams tackle creative challenges with originality, insight, and impact.

Participating as a judge for the ANA In-House Excellence Awards was a rewarding experience. It offered a unique opportunity to review diverse, innovative campaigns, each showcasing the strategic thinking, creative execution, and tangible results that define excellence in in-house marketing today. Evaluating submissions across various categories allowed me to contribute to recognizing outstanding work and provided new perspectives and inspiration.To those who enjoy the creativity and strategy aspects of marketing and advertising, judging the awards provides a unique and valuable experience. I highly recommend it for managers looking for some inspiration and individual contributors looking to build market intelligence.