Hopefully you have read our 5 steps to a winning Annual entry. This covered off the steps you need to take to enter work into The Annual.
Alongside the work categories, we also have our premier “Of the Year” awards, recognising the companies, teams and individuals shaping the creative industry today.
1. Download The Entry Pack
Whether entering work or putting forward a nomination into The Annual, your first step should be to download the 2026 Entry Pack, your go-to guide for understanding the process, categories, deadlines and what makes The Annual unique.
Reviewing the Entry Pack early helps you understand the expectations for each category, ensuring your nomination is aligned with the criteria and submission requirements from the very beginning.
2. Choose Your Categories
Annual 2025 - Critical Mass - Agency of the Year
We have a range of categories covering off the key company, team and individual types that make up the creative industry.
Company categories cater for agencies big and small, creative service companies, brands, and we even have free entries for the best places to work.
Our individual categories include free entries for Designer, Director, Creative Team and Next Gen Leader of the Year, alongside our long-standing Creative Leader category.
3. Update Your Profile
All judges will be checking your profile as a part of evaluating your submission. Make sure the details on your profile are completely up to date and that it matches what you have put in your submission text. At a most basic level, ensure that there is no inconsistencies.
For all awards (except Best Place to Work), the quality of your work plays a key role in the judges’ decisions, scores, and comments. Make sure that you have uploaded your latest work and especially ensure that any work referenced in your submission is also uploaded to your profile.
4. Submit Your Nomination
Annual 2025 - Recursive - Small Agency of the Year
Submitting your nomination is as simple as completing a single form field.
Be sure to read the guidance on the nomination form and refer back to the category description, as judges will use both when reviewing your submission.
Your nomination text should give judges a clear window into why you deserve to win. Be direct, authentic and factual. Do not embellish facts, judges have deep industry experience, understand what happens behind the scenes, and will appreciate a candid, focused entry. Write engagingly, but stay factual and focused on the key reasons you deserve to win!
Summary
Download the Entry Pack -> Choose your categories -> Update your profile -> Submit your nomination
Follow these steps, and you’ll be well positioned to take home top honours in our most prestigious awards.
After entries close, every submission is reviewed by the Creativepool team before shortlisting. If we spot a way to improve your entry, we’ll be in touch to help.
Final Submissions Close - 28th May
Need some help with your submission? Get in touch with one of our award experts!