The Benchmark for AI Excellence

Early Deadline: October 23, 2026  
Late Deadline: October 30, 2026  

About the Awards

The AI Impact Awards is the only recognition program dedicated to the strategic use of artificial intelligence across both marketing and communications — judged on business outcomes, not adoption. 

From brand building and crisis communications to agentic AI and GEO strategy, this is where the AI that actually delivered gets recognized. 

40+ categories across five tracks. Judged by senior practitioners on one standard: Did it move the business? AI innovation happens at every scale — from global enterprises to independent agencies and mid-size teams. If your work moved the needle, this program was built for you.

Enter the 2026 Awards

Why the AI Impact Awards

The Dual-Industry Verdict

Two industries. One verdict.

Chief Marketer and PRNEWS are judging together — the only program where marketing and communications leaders agree your work is award-worthy. That's a harder bar to clear, so your win carries more weight.

The Judging Standard

Built for the AI that actually delivered.

Every category is evaluated on business outcomes — not which tools you used or how ambitious the brief was. This is where the work that moved the needle gets its moment.

The Prize

Recognition that goes further than a trophy.

Winners are featured across Chief Marketer and PRNEWS editorial — newsletters, website, and social — in front of the readers setting the standard for AI in the industry.

Categories

AI in Marketing

Recognizing AI that drove measurable results across brand, content, performance, measurement, and emerging marketing applications.

    • Best Agentic AI Application in Marketing
    • Best AI for Brand Building
    • Best AI for Brand Safety & Responsible AI Use
    • Best AI in B2B Marketing
    • Best AI in Competitive Intelligence
    • Best AI in Content & Creative
    • Best AI in Customer Experience
    • Best AI in Email & Performance Marketing
    • Best AI in Event Engagement & Interactivity
    • Best AI in Loyalty & Retention Marketing
    • Best AI in Measurement & ROI
    • Best AI in Nonprofit & Mission-Driven Marketing
    • Best AI in Social Media & Influencer Marketing
    • Best AI in Sponsorship Activation
  • AI in Communications

    Recognizing AI that advanced earned media, reputation, crisis communications, and measurable PR outcomes.

    • Best AI in Crisis Communications
    • Best AI in Earned Media & GEO Strategy
    • Best AI in Executive Thought Leadership
    • Best AI in Internal Communications
    • Best AI in Investor Relations Communications
    • Best AI in Media Relations
    • Best AI in Multicultural & Inclusive Communications
    • Best AI in PR Measurement
    • Best AI in Public Affairs & Government Relations
    • Best AI in Reputation Management
    • Best Use of Agentic AI in PR & Communications
  • Integrated AI

    For integrated teams using AI across both marketing and communications — the only recognition of its kind in the industry.

    • Best AI for Purpose, ESG & Social Impact
    • Best AI Organizational Transformation
    • Best AI Program — Mid-Market or Independent Company
    • Best AI Strategy for Business Outcomes — Grand Prix
    • Best Enterprise AI Agent Deployment
    • Best Integrated AI Campaign (marketing + PR)
  • AI Marketing Solutions

    Recognizing the platforms, agencies, and technology companies powering AI innovation across marketing and communications. 

    • Best AI Agency of the Year
    • Best AI Platform for Measurement & Analytics
    • Most Innovative AI Tool for Marketers & Communicators
  • AI Leadership

    Honoring the individual leaders and teams driving AI transformation across marketing and communications. 

    • AI Communications Leader of the Year
    • AI Innovator of the Year
    • AI Marketing Leader of the Year
    • Best AI Communications Team of the Year
    • Best AI Educator of the Year
    • Best AI Marketing Team of the Year
    • Best AI Newsletter of the Year
    • Rising Star in AI Marketing & Communications
  • ENTRY GUIDELINES

    Who should enter?

    The AI Impact Awards is open to any organization — brand, agency, nonprofit, or vendor — that used AI in a marketing or communications initiative between October 1, 2025 and October 30, 2026. 

    What Winners Receive:

    • Recognition across Chief Marketer and PRNEWS editorial — newsletters, website, and social.
    • Digital winner badge for use across your own marketing channels.
    • Listing in the official 2026 AI Impact Awards winners directory.
    • Inclusion in the 2026 winners announcement distributed to the full PRNEWS and Chief Marketer audience.

    Entry Tips:

    The strongest entries lead with outcomes — what changed, by how much, and over what timeframe. Judges want to understand AI's specific role and the business result it drove. Clarity wins.

    • Deadlines & Pricing

      Early Pricing
      Expires 10/31/2026
      $450
      Final Deadline
      Expires 11/07/2026
      $450 + $199 late fee

      All entries must be submitted online. Payment is due at time of submission.

    Entries may be submitted by:

    • In-house marketing and communications teams
    • PR and marketing agencies, on behalf of clients or their own work
    • Technology vendors and AI platforms
    • Individual practitioners, for people-based categories

    Submission Requirements

    Campaign / Program Entries

    (AI in Marketing · AI in Communications · Integrated AI)
    Required elements:

    • Entry Name, Featured Image and Category Selection
    • Objectives (150 words): business goals and the specific role AI was intended to play
    • Situation & Challenge (150 words): the business problem, baseline metrics, and context
    • AI Strategy (200 words): tools and platforms used, and the strategic rationale behind the approach
    • AI Application & Implementation (200 words): how the AI was deployed and what the human/AI workflow looked like
    • Results & ROI (200 words): specific metrics, timeframes, and before/after comparisons
    • AI Impact Attribution (150 words): what the AI made possible that traditional methods could not
    • Supporting Materials (optional): up to 3 attachments

    Team & Individual Nominations

    (AI Leadership Awards)
    Required elements:

    • Nominee name, title, organization and headshot
    • Role & Scope of AI Work (150 words): the nominee's AI responsibilities and organizational context
    • Justification for Nomination (200 words): what makes their AI leadership distinctive
    • Key AI Initiative & Business Outcome (200 words): a specific initiative they led and the results it produced
    • Summary of Achievements (150 words): their contribution to the field beyond their immediate role
    • Supporting Materials (optional): up to 3 attachments

    Vendor & Tool Submissions

    (AI Marketing Solutions)
    Required elements:

    • Entry Name, Featured Image and Category Selection
    • Objectives (150 words): business goals and the specific role AI was intended to play
    • Situation & Challenge (150 words): the business problem, baseline metrics, and context
    • AI Strategy (200 words): tools and platforms used, and the strategic rationale behind the approach
    • AI Application & Implementation (200 words): how the AI was deployed and what the human/AI workflow looked like
    • Results & ROI (200 words): specific metrics, timeframes, and before/after comparisons
    • AI Impact Attribution (150 words): what the AI made possible that traditional methods could not
    • Supporting Materials (optional): up to 3 attachments

    Grand Prix

    All 2026 entrants are automatically considered for the Grand Prix — Best AI Strategy for Business Outcomes. No separate submission required. Judges select the Grand Prix winner from across all category winners after the primary judging round.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Eligibility

    • Any organization — brand, agency, nonprofit, or technology vendor — that used AI in a marketing or communications initiative between January 1, 2025 and October 30, 2026. US-based and international organizations are both welcome.

    • Yes. Agencies may submit entries for client work with the client's knowledge and permission. List both the agency and the client in your submission.

    • Yes — if your work genuinely fits multiple categories, submit separate entries for each. Each requires a separate submission and fee.

    • Yes — and that's exactly the point. AI innovation doesn't only happen at household-name brands. This program recognizes results across the full industry — regardless of company size, budget, or how recognizable the logo on the building is. If your work moved the needle, it belongs here.

    Submission

    • Campaign entries have two primary fields: a 250-word overview and a 250-word results section. Supporting attachments (up to 3) are optional. People-based nominations are 300 words.

    • Anything that documents the business outcome — engagement rates, pipeline metrics, earned media coverage, efficiency gains, cost savings, audience growth, or third-party research. Data doesn't need to be audited, but it should be specific.

    • Winners are notified before the public announcement. All entrants receive a confirmation email upon submission and a notification following judging.

    Pricing & Deadlines

    • $450 per entry before October 23 (early pricing). After October 23, a $199 late fee applies through the final deadline of October 30.

    • Entry fees are non-refundable. If you have extenuating circumstances, contact us before the deadline.

    The Grand Prix

    • All 2026 entrants are automatically considered for Best AI Strategy for Business Outcomes — no separate entry required. Judges select the Grand Prix winner from across all category winners after the primary judging round.

    Partner with the AI Impact Awards

    Place your brand at the center of the industry's only recognition program spanning AI in marketing and communications — backed by the editorial authority of PRNEWS and Chief Marketer.

    Reach both audiences at once

    PRNEWS and Chief Marketer together reach senior practitioners across marketing and communications — a combined audience no single-brand program can offer.

    Associate with AI that actually delivered

    This program recognizes AI that drove real business results — an association that signals credibility and relevance to the most discerning practitioners in the field.

    Editorial amplification included

    Sponsorship includes integration across PRNEWS and Chief Marketer editorial channels — newsletters, website, and social — extending your visibility well beyond the awards program itself.

    Interested in sponsoring the 2026 AI Impact Awards?

    Contact Vernesa Merdanovic at vmerdanovic@accessintel.com to discuss opportunities.

    More Awards Programs

    Presented by PRNEWS + Chief Marketer

    PRNEWS

    PRNEWS has been the essential resource for communications professionals for more than 30 years. Through daily news coverage, analysis, research, and events, PRNEWS serves the senior practitioners driving PR and communications at the world's leading brands and agencies.

    prnewsonline.com →

    Chief Marketer

    Chief Marketer is the leading resource for marketing professionals — covering brand strategy, demand generation, data-driven marketing, and emerging technology. Chief Marketer reaches the decision-makers building and running marketing programs across every sector.

    chiefmarketer.com →