After selecting your categories, you will be directed to the detailed entry form where you can provide specific information and upload supporting materials for each selected category.

A single piece of work may be entered in up to three categories. Each category carries its own entry fee and its own supplemental questions. The Confidential & Specialist and Leadership category groups are standalone and cannot be entered in conjunction with other category groups.

Yes, you can save your entry as a draft at any point and return to complete it before the final submission deadline.

Yes, we provide a downloadable entry template kit that you can use to prepare your submission offline before uploading it to the portal.

Awards open for entries: 13 April 2026
Early Bird deadline: 6 June 2026 (US$250 per entry)
Regular deadline: 7 July 2026 (US$300 per entry)
Finalists published: 31 August 2026
Awards ceremony: 6 October 2026, Singapore

Any organisation — agency, in-house team, consultancy or individual — that has delivered an earned-first communications campaign or strategy. There is no requirement to be based in Asia-Pacific, but the work should have been delivered in or for the region.

The inaugural edition of the Earned First Awards focuses on Asia-Pacific. Work delivered in or for the Asia-Pacific region is eligible. Global campaigns with significant Asia-Pacific components are also eligible.

There is no formal cap per organisation, but the programme is designed to reward depth of work, not volume of entries.

Endorsements are not required, except for the Earned First Leadership Award, which requires a third-party endorsement as part of the submission.

Yes. A single campaign may be entered in multiple categories if it genuinely meets the criteria for each. Each entry carries its own form and each category its own fee. The Confidential & Specialist and Leadership categories are standalone and cannot be entered in conjunction with other category groups.

The Confidential Impact Award exists specifically for high-stakes work that cannot be publicly disclosed. For all other categories: sensitive client data may be marked as such, but outcome evidence must be provided to the jury.

Yes. Entries that used AI as a tool in service of the strategy and outcome are eligible. Campaigns where AI use is the primary innovation should be entered in the AI-Enabled Earned Strategy & Innovation category. AI novelty alone does not score well; the jury looks for evidence of human judgement and measurable outcomes.

Yes. Unlike some awards programmes, the Earned First Awards do not require blind submissions. You may include your agency or organisation name throughout your entry. The jury's independence is guaranteed by its composition rather than by anonymisation.

Evidence of earned media outcomes: coverage, audience data, business or reputational impact metrics, third-party validation. The jury values rigorous, transparent measurement. Where data is commercially sensitive, it may be marked as such, but outcomes must demonstrate proof.

Images and visual assets are not required but may be included as supporting material. Your entry should be led by a written narrative (maximum 1,500 words) supported by evidence of earned outcomes. Visual assets — such as screenshots, coverage samples or campaign imagery — can strengthen your submission and may be used to showcase finalists and winners.

Yes. A template is available to help you prepare your submission before entering it online. [Add link to download]

Yes. In addition to the core entry questions, each category has its own supplemental questions tailored to that type of work. Review the category description carefully before you begin writing.

Yes. Earned First Partners receive a 10% discount via a promotional code. The partner discount applies after the Early Bird period.

All entries are non-refundable.

Entries are scored against four published criteria: Impact, outcomes & measurement (35%), Earned first thinking & execution (25%), Creativity & strategy (25%), Degree of difficulty (15%).

No. The jury is specifically instructed that campaigns which succeeded because they were well-funded or structurally advantaged are not favoured over work that navigated resistance, scrutiny or complexity. The ‘degree of difficulty’ criterion (15%) explicitly rewards this.

Shortlisted entrants may receive anonymised jury commentary as part of Earned First’s competition coverage. Non-shortlisted entrants will not receive individual feedback.

Entries are evaluated independently during July 2026. Jurors meet virtually in mid-August in small groups (60–90 minute sessions) to discuss shortlisted work and determine winners. Shortlists are announced 31 August 2026.

The Grand Prix — Earned Campaign of the Year — is not open for direct entry. It is selected by the jury from all category winners. There is only one Grand Prix per edition.

All shortlisted entrants will be announced on the Earned First website and newsletter on or before 31 August 2026. The shortlist will also be published on this website.