To help you with your submissions we have collected answers to the 10 Most Asked Questions about The Annual.
As the deadline approaches, having clarity on the submission process can make a significant difference in how effectively you prepare your entries. Understanding these key aspects in advance helps you avoid last-minute confusion and ensures your work is presented in the best possible way. These frequently asked questions are designed to simplify the process and help you approach your submission with more confidence and structure.
1. How do I submit my work?
Annual 2025 - Silver winner - Where Giants Roam
It all starts on your Creativepool profile. Choose the work you would like to enter, gather your assets, then upload your projects/case studies to your profile.
Then you can submit your work into any of the categories that are available to you. (Note that we have a different page for individual and company entries so make sure you are logged into the right account!)
Starting early allows you to organise your assets and ensure your submissions are complete, accurate, and aligned with the requirements of each category.
2. What are the work entry requirements?
Annual 2025 - Gold winner - TBWASpain
The key requirement is that projects/case studies need to have been released to the public between 1st January 2025 and 28th May 2026.
Most categories require that the work entered needs to be commercial work, but there are exceptions to this. We recommend downloading the entry pack for a more detailed explanation for each category.
Reviewing the requirements carefully helps you avoid disqualification and ensures that your work is eligible before investing time and energy in the submission process.
3. How do I choose the best category for my work?
The best place for you to start is to review this year's categories where a small synopsis is given on the requirements for each category.
Often you will find that your work will span different categories, so your preference will often come down to what category your work excels at and which categories you would like your possible win(s) to be associated with.
Taking time to choose the right category can improve your chances of success by positioning your work where it has the strongest competitive advantage.
4. Can I save my entries to submit later?
Annual 2025 - Gold winner - Ketchum London
Yes. If you run out of time while submitting, you can click on "Save For Later" at the bottom of the page and save your entries for when you are ready to complete them.
Please note that this only applies to work entries. Nominations need to be completed in one go, we suggest you write this offline and then copy and paste to enter.
Using this feature lets you refine your submission over time, reducing errors and ensuring that your final entry is well-prepared and complete.
5. What are the requirements for the "Of The Year" awards?
Annual 2025 - Gold winner - SomeOne
With our "Of The Year" awards, instead of rewarding a particular piece of work, the judges will look over the entire year of the company or individual entering.
These are our premier awards, requirements for each are laid out on the nomination form. In general, each nomination should include clear persuasion and supporting evidence explaining why the past year has been exceptional for you/your company. Your profile should also be resplendent with up-to-date work that showcases your achievements.
6. Will I compete against others in my category?
For work submissions, each entry only competes against itself. There is no first, second or third – our scoring system ensures equal opportunities to win in any category.
If you look at previous years you will see (as an example) multiple "silver" awards in the same category. This is due to the fact that all that matters is what score your work gets.
For the nomination categories, eg. Agency or Designer of the Year, the award goes to the company/person with the highest score.
7. How does the scoring system work?
Annual 2025 - Silver winner - The Behaviours Agency
Our esteemed judges will score your entries against a set of stringent criteria. We then calculate the average of these scores to select the winners.
Entries that achieve an average of 7 or higher are awarded Bronze, Silver 8 or higher, while our prestigious Gold is awarded to work with an average of 9 or higher.
The Annual is the only creative award that gives you two ways to win, including the People's Choice award. Separate to the judges scoring this is calculated by the number of votes given by the community.
8. Can I enter the same project/case study in multiple categories?
Yes you can. In fact, it's a great strategy, as this way your project can receive multiple awards. Your work likely has multiple disciplines involved, so make sure you check the categories available to you to see if there is crossover.
You can also enter different projects/case studies into the same category.
Entering across relevant categories increases your exposure and improves your chances of recognition by allowing your work to be evaluated from multiple perspectives.
9. What awards are free to enter?
Annual 2025 - Grand Prix winner - Final Cut
This year we have 2 categories that are free to enter: Social Good and The Cutting Room Floor.
In our Nominations awards: Best Agency to Work For, Best Brand to Work For, Next Gen Leader of the Year, Creative Team of the Year, Director of the Year, Designer of the Year, are all free to enter.
Taking advantage of free entry categories is a practical way to maximise participation while reducing cost barriers, especially for broader exposure.
10. Do I need to fill out all the fields on the entry form?
The short answer is - No.
Not all the fields are necessary for all entries. And due to the nature of being a creative award, not all work will fit neatly into "the boxes" provided.
In general the more succinct information that you give the judges the better. Build up a story around your work so that they can see what went on behind the scenes.
Give the judges the best information that you have at the time of submitting. Focus on the information that puts your work in the best light.
Submissions Close - 23rd April
Late Submissions Close - 28th May
