The categories
Best Creative Campaign
Celebrating campaigns that captivated audiences, sparked conversation, and showed the power of great storytelling. Examples might include experiential activations, creator campaigns, or big game ads that still makes us laugh.
Best Performance Campaign
For the campaigns that delivered where it counts: measurable, meaningful results driven by precision targeting, smart optimization, and a relentless focus on ROI. Examples might include B2B, ecommerce, or something we haven’t thought of yet.
Most Innovative Campaign
Celebrating the trailblazers who embraced new technologies, tools and methodologies — AI, AR, VR, and beyond — to solve real problems and create genuinely better experiences.
Best Bootstrapped Campaign
Budget? Who’s that? This award is for a startup, small-to-midsize brand, or “mom & pop shop” who drove creative, impactful results with limited resources. This campaign shows ingenuity and a grassroots mindset to turn pennies into magic.
Best Local Campaign
Celebrates a San Francisco Bay Area agency that deserves top marks for their impact on the marketing community through innovative and effective ideas, strategies, concepts, campaigns, and overall leadership. This agency supports and serves the Bay Area as an inspiration for all marketers, companies, and industry leaders.
Best Cause Marketing Campaign
Recognizing campaigns that championed causes, mobilized communities, and used the power of communication for good. Examples might include a non-profit campaign, civic campaign, or a brand campaign that champions a cause.
Best Inclusive Campaign
Spotlighting work that engages San Francisco Bay Area communities in a thoughtfully authentic way. We know this effort may take extra time or budget and deserves recognition. Examples might include accessible activations, multilingual messaging, or campaigns that deeply with cultures that the marketer serves.
Student Award
Recognizing the next generation of marketing talent. Open to students enrolled in or on temporary break from any accredited program attended from California.
Best In Show
The best overall strategy and execution of marketing and advertising for the year. The best of the best. This campaign should leverage data, include great creative, multiple channels, and impactful results.
Brand Marketer of the Year
Celebrates a brand in the San Francisco Bay Area who, through their contributions of outstanding ideas, strategies, concepts, campaigns, and overall leadership has served as an inspiration for all marketers and a shining example of the very best of marketing professionalism and accomplishment in the past year.
Next Big Thing
Recognizes a brand that has demonstrated exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact within the marketing industry over the past year. This award honors someone who has broken new ground with creative strategies, embraced emerging technologies, or set new industry standards. They have shown a commitment to pushing boundaries, driving results, and inspiring others in the marketing field through their visionary approach and ability to adapt to evolving trends and challenges.
President’s Awards
Honors individuals who have shown outstanding contributions to the American Marketing Association San Francisco chapter, selected by AMA SF Board President Thomas Moyer.
Enter the 2026 AMA SF Excellence in Marketing Awards
Nominations open June 15 and close July 31, 2026. Self-nominate or nominate work you admire from across the community. Before you submit, review the eligibility requirements and judging criteria.
Questions? Email awards@amasf.org.