The Shorty Awards

Annual global awards honoring outstanding work in social and digital media across brands, agencies, and creators.

Themes

Social Media Campaigns Content Strategy Cause Marketing Creator Work

Audience

Brands Agencies Creators Non‑profits

Submission info not available

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Updated 28 July 2025

The Shorty Awards honor excellence in short-form content and social media campaigns, judged by creativity, strategy and engagement.

Scope and founding: Established in 2008 (first formal ceremony in February 2009) as the first awards to recognize social media excellence across platforms; now an annual global program targeting brands, creators and agencies. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Judging structure: Entries are evaluated by the Real Time Academy—industry professionals selected for their reputations and previous achievements—based on creativity, strategy, and engagement, with an additional public Audience Honor voting component. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Categories: Includes Campaign, Content & Design, Cause, Industry, Partnerships, Platforms & Technology, Strategy & Engagement, Special Projects, plus creator-focused subcategories. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Entry details: Entries open annually (e.g. October 28, 2025 for the 18th Awards); public timeline includes early, regular, and late deadlines; verified nonprofits receive a US $100 discount per entry. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Eligibility window: Work must have been live within a defined eligibility period (e.g. January 1, 2025 to February 19, 2026 for the 18th Awards); spec or incomplete work is not eligible. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Recognition and honors: Awards include Finalists, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Audience Honor distinctions; special “Of The Year” honors awarded to top performing brand, agency, or nonprofit by size category. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Impact Awards variant: The Shorty Impact Awards is a separate annual competition dedicated to campaigns and initiatives with measurable social purpose and cause-driven impact, judged by the same Academy. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Jury composition: Jury members are senior marketers, creatives, strategists, activists and industry leaders from organizations like Diageo, LEGO, Ben & Jerry’s, TikTok, Deloitte Digital, and Microsoft for Startups. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Overall, the Shorty Awards and its Impact Awards variant provide a structured, peer-reviewed platform with transparent criteria, public voting and size‑based recognitions, spotlighting digital creativity and purpose-driven campaigns worldwide.