Annual 2026 Terms and Conditions

  1. Eligibility
    The Creativepool Annual 2026 is open to Submissions from anyone associated with the categories available, including but not exclusively agencies, brands, companies, freelancers, individuals and holding companies worldwide (Entrants).
  2. Multiple Submissions
    Multiple Submissions can be made in the same and/or different categories with the same or different work.
  3. Number of Submissions
    The number of Submissions by Entrants is not limited.
  4. Eligibility Period
    Submissions must have been released between 1st January 2025 and 28th May 2026.
  5. Verification and Evidence
    Creativepool reserves the right to request information or evidence from an Entrant at any stage to verify the eligibility, authenticity or accuracy of a Submission, including information relating to the work, its publication or release, client approval, credits, claims, results or any other information provided as part of the Submission. The Entrant must provide such information or evidence within a reasonable period requested by Creativepool.
  6. Submission Requirements
    Entrants must upload Submissions to their respective Creativepool profile, complete the submission process and follow all required instructions to have the Submission considered.
  7. Genuine Work, Accuracy and Rights
    All Submissions must represent genuine work undertaken by or on behalf of the Entrant and must not have been fabricated, materially misrepresented or created solely for the purpose of entering an award. All information, claims, statistics, results, credits and supporting materials provided as part of a Submission must be accurate and capable of verification.

    All Submissions must be original and must be the works and property of the Entrant, without limitation. All Entrants warrant that the Submission, including all of its elements, will not infringe any third party's rights.
  8. Use and Reproduction of Submissions
    Entrants grant Creativepool a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to reproduce, publish, display, distribute and otherwise use Submissions and associated credits in connection with The Annual, Creativepool, promotional activity, editorial and press coverage, exhibitions, events, websites, social media, digital publications, printed publications and archival purposes, in any media now known or subsequently developed.

    Creativepool will credit Submissions where reasonably practicable.

    The Entrant warrants that it has obtained all necessary rights and permissions to grant this licence. Creativepool is not liable for any actions or claims arising from the publication or use of a Submission where the Entrant has failed to obtain the necessary rights or permissions.
  9. Credits and Entrant Information
    All information on the Entrant's Creativepool profile will be used to credit the Submission. The Entrant is responsible for filling out all necessary Made It Credits where applicable. Creativepool will endeavour to verify this information, but accepts no responsibility for incorrect information provided by the Entrant.

    Entrants are responsible for ensuring that their Creativepool profile and contact details are accurate and up to date. Creativepool will use the contact information provided by the Entrant when communicating in relation to Entries and Awards.
  10. Client Approval
    Where a Submission is made on behalf of, or relates to, a client, the Entrant warrants that it has obtained all necessary client permissions and approvals for the Submission to be entered into The Annual and for Creativepool to reproduce and publish the Submission in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.

    The Entrant remains responsible for ensuring that the Submission does not breach any agreement or contractual obligation with the client. Creativepool will not be liable for any claims arising from the Entrant's failure to obtain such permission or approval.
  11. AI and Generated Materials
    Where AI or AI-generated materials have been used in the creation of a Submission or its supporting materials, Entrants may be required to disclose such use as part of the Submission process.

    Entrants remain responsible for ensuring that all AI-generated or AI-assisted material complies with these Terms and Conditions and does not infringe any third party's rights.
  12. Disqualification and Removal of Submissions
    Creativepool reserves the right to suspend, cancel, delete or disqualify any Submission that it considers to be non-compliant with these Terms and Conditions or any applicable contractual or legal requirements.

    Creativepool may take such action at any stage, including after judging or after an Award or shortlist position has been announced, where it subsequently becomes aware of information indicating that a Submission was ineligible, inaccurate, misleading, improperly submitted or otherwise in breach of these Terms and Conditions.
  13. Withdrawal of Awards and Recognition
    Where a Submission is cancelled, deleted or disqualified, Creativepool reserves the right to withdraw any associated shortlist position, Award, trophy, badge, ranking, publication, promotional recognition or other benefit associated with that Submission, and to amend or remove any related material from The Annual, Creativepool's website or other publications.
  14. Judging
    Submissions will be considered by a judging process in which representative(s) from Creativepool and specially selected individuals will evaluate each eligible Submission as required by each category.

    The judges' decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding such conclusions.

    Creativepool and the judging panels reserve the right not to award a particular level of Award in any category where, in their discretion, no Submission meets the required standard.
  15. Confidentiality of the Awards Process
    The judging process, including judges' scores, votes, comments, deliberations and internal communications, is confidential.

    Entrants must not disclose or publish confidential information relating to the judging or administration of The Annual, including private correspondence or communications with Creativepool concerning an Entry or the Awards process, without Creativepool's prior written consent.

    Entrants must keep confidential any non-public information provided to them by Creativepool in connection with their Submission or The Annual and must not publish, distribute or otherwise disclose such information to any third party without Creativepool's prior written consent.

    This does not prevent an Entrant from discussing publicly available information about The Annual, their participation, shortlist status or Award, or from sharing feedback expressly provided by Creativepool for publication. It also does not prevent an Entrant from exercising any legal right or complying with any legal obligation.
  16. Awards and Notifications
    Selected Entrants will receive notification by email.

    Any communication concerning the potential outcome of an Entry, including notification of a potential shortlist or Award, is provisional until formally confirmed and publicly announced by Creativepool. Creativepool reserves the right to correct any error, omission or administrative mistake in communications relating to The Annual prior to such official confirmation.

    An Award or shortlist position is not considered final until officially announced by Creativepool.

    Creativepool will endeavour to ensure that communications relating to Entries and Awards are accurate, but any communication made in error, or any administrative error, omission or delay, does not constitute confirmation of an Award unless expressly confirmed by Creativepool as final.

    Creativepool may require an Entrant to confirm acceptance or eligibility within a specified period. If an Entrant cannot be contacted, fails to provide information reasonably requested by Creativepool, cannot be verified as eligible, or is otherwise unable to accept an Award, Creativepool reserves the right to withdraw the Award and, where appropriate, select another Entrant at Creativepool and the judges' discretion.
  17. Category Changes and Transfers
    Creativepool reserves the right to move a Submission to a more appropriate category where, in its reasonable opinion, the Submission has been entered into an unsuitable category. Creativepool may also combine, divide or amend categories where reasonably necessary.
    Where Creativepool moves a Submission to another category, the original entry fee will remain valid.
  18. Entry Period and Fees
    Entrants can enter from 2nd February 2026 to 23rd April 2026. Late submissions after this date are accepted up until 28th May 2026. Note that at each "stage" there will be an increase in the prices charged for Submissions.
  19. VAT Invoices
    We are able to send copies of VAT invoices for Submission fees upon request. To request an invoice, please send a request to [email protected]. We cannot invoice for Submissions before payment.
  20. Refunds
    Upon confirmation, all Submissions are non-refundable.
    Where a Submission is cancelled, deleted or disqualified due to non-compliance with these Terms and Conditions, no refund will be provided.
  21. Changes to The Annual
    Creativepool reserves the right, where reasonably necessary, to amend, suspend or cancel any category, deadline, judging arrangement, Award, event or other element of The Annual.
    Creativepool will endeavour to provide reasonable notice of any material changes where practicable.
  22. Events Outside Creativepool's Reasonable Control
    Creativepool will not be responsible for any delay, interruption, cancellation or failure to provide any part of The Annual resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including technical failures, cyber incidents, platform outages, industrial disputes, natural disasters, government action or other events beyond Creativepool's reasonable control.
  23. Agreement to Terms
    By submitting work or entering a nomination, the Entrant confirms their agreement to these Terms and Conditions.
  24. Interpretation of the Rules
    Creativepool reserves the right to interpret these Terms and Conditions and to make reasonable decisions regarding the eligibility and administration of Submissions where these Terms and Conditions do not expressly provide for a particular circumstance.
  25. No Waiver
    No failure or delay by Creativepool in exercising any right or remedy under these Terms and Conditions shall constitute a waiver of that right or remedy.
  26. Severability
    If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, that provision shall be removed or limited to the minimum extent necessary and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
  27. Entire Agreement
    These Terms and Conditions, together with any specific rules or instructions published by Creativepool in relation to The Annual, constitute the entire agreement between Creativepool and the Entrant in relation to the Awards and supersede any previous representations or agreements relating to the same subject matter.
  28. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
    These Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales.
    The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any such dispute or claim.
  29. Physical Submissions
    We do not accept physical samples of your Submissions unless absolutely required. If you would like to send us work in the post, then please get in touch with [email protected].