Mumbai: The Advertising Club (TAC), India’s premier body for advertising, marketing and media, has announced the introduction of new categories for Creative Abby 2026, further strengthening the awards’ commitment to global relevance and creative excellence. The updated Entry Form, reflecting all category refinements, is now live on The Ad Club website. The awards continue their partnership with The One Club for Creativity and The One Show.
The last date for submission is April 06, 2026. Work eligible to participate must have been released between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. The results will be declared and presented at Goafest 2026.
This year, the Abby Awards Governing Council took a progressive step by inviting some of the most awarded creative leaders from the Indian industry—also among India’s most respected jury members at global festivals—to offer recommendations on making the Abby Awards more globally aspirational. The discussions led to the evolution of this year’s refreshed categories and an enhanced judging process.
New Categories Introduced
1. Social Content and Influencer Marketing
This category recognizes the growing world of digital creation, content collaboration and community building driven by influencers.
2. Creative Commerce, Use of Data and B2B
This category captures the innovative ecosystem of online and offline commerce, payment solutions, data-driven channel innovation, creative B2B initiatives and brand experiences.
Both categories are designed to reward craft and quality of impact rather than pure effectiveness metrics or numbers.
Rationalization and Structural Changes
Digital Sub-categories Rationalized
Seven sub-categories within the Digital vertical have been removed, given their reduced relevance in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Sustainability and Inclusion Category Formed
Three existing social-good verticals—Green Abby, Red Abby and Diversity, Equality & Inclusivity (DEI)—have been consolidated into a single category titled Sustainability and Inclusion, streamlining recognition for purpose-driven work.
Mobile Category Discontinued
The standalone Mobile vertical has been discontinued, as Digital now comprehensively covers mobile-related sub-categories. Additionally, the new Social Content and Influencer Marketing vertical accommodates most mobile-originated digital content.
New Recognition: Client of the Year
Recognizing the vital role of clients whose brands set creative benchmarks and elevate agency reputations, a new Client of the Year category has been introduced. This award will honor the client whose brands accumulate the highest number of points.
Refined Criteria for Creative Agency of the Year
There has also been a refinement in the computation of Creative Agency of the Year. Previously awarded based on maximum points across eight traditional creative categories—Print (2), Film (2), OOH, Integrated, Audio and Digital—the honor will now be determined based on cumulative points across all 18 creative categories, excluding Video Craft (for film producers) and Young Maverick Abby.
Highlighting the continued evolution of Goafest and the ABBY Awards Powered by One Club, Dheeraj Sinha, President, The Advertising Club, and CEO, McCann India, mentioned, “Goafest has always been synonymous with creativity, collaboration, and industry excellence. The ABBY Awards Powered by One Club continue to push boundaries, setting new creative benchmarks year after year. Abby Awards being in its 57th year, continue to raise the bar, and this year’s edition will be even more inspiring, bringing together the brightest minds in the industry.”
“We have introduced two new categories and merged, rationalized and deleted some categories. For the very first time we have partnered and co-created with creative luminaries of the industry for categories. We are truly grateful to the continued support of One Club and One Show towards conducting our judging process for the last 5 years. Our thanks to the widespread participation of both agencies and client companies year after year,” said Ajay Kakar, Chairperson, ABBY Awards 2026.
The 2026 Entry Form incorporating all changes has been uploaded on the official website: [https://theadvertisingclub.net/](https://theadvertisingclub.net/)
The Advertising Club looks forward to robust participation from agencies and companies across the country for Creative Abby 2026.
