The Web Marketing Association judges will select the best online ads and campaigns in 86 industries as part of their 25th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising. Anyone wishing to nominate their online advertising work for consideration may do so at https://www.iacaward.org before the deadline of January 29, 2027.
“The world of online display advertising is changing rapidly as artificial intelligence, automated media buying, and evolving consumer privacy expectations reshape how advertisers reach their audiences,” said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “While advertisers have more sophisticated tools than ever to deliver the right message to the right audience, they also face growing competition for consumer attention. A perfectly targeted advertisement means little if the creative fails to connect with the person seeing it. The most effective page-based ads blend smart technology with compelling design, creative storytelling, and messages that motivate consumers to act. The IAC Awards celebrate the advertising professionals who achieve this balance of creativity, innovation, and measurable impact. Earning an IAC Award provides respected third-party validation of their work, helps agencies stand apart from competitors, and gives marketing teams a valuable credential to showcase to clients, prospects, and senior management.”
conversion-focused landing pages, page-based ads remain the backbone of digital reach and response,” said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “They transform attention into action across the open web—driving awareness, qualified traffic, and measurable ROI. The IAC Awards spotlight page-based initiatives that blend creative insight with smart media execution, brand-safe placement, and privacy-minded data use. Winning is more than recognition; it’s a credible endorsement that elevates internal conversations, strengthens RFP responses, and gives sales teams a trusted proof point with decision-makers.”
The 2027 international Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to all organizations and individuals (advertising and interactive agencies, corporate marketing departments, etc.) throughout the world involved in the process of developing Internet advertising. Entries may be submitted online at https://www.iacaward.org. The deadline for entry is January 29, 2027 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.
In addition to online apps, IAC Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats such as:
- Social Media
- Web sites (including microsites and landing pages)
- Interactive Applications
- Email message campaign
- Online newsletter campaign
- Mobile apps and websites
- Integrated ad campaign
- Online Video
Past top winners in Online Ad Campaigns format include:
| Year | Winner | Entry Name |
| 2026 2025 | Sanky Communications BBDO and Critical Mass | North Shore Animal League America Cultivation Sleep with Rain |
| 2024 | Sanky Communications | African Wildlife Foundation: Let this sink in |
| 2023 | Glacier Digital | Dundurn Press BIPOC Amplifier |
| 2022 | tbk | Driving New Revenue Despite a Global Pandemic |
| 2021 | DELVE | DELVE Applies Data Science to Deliver 200% ROAS for UNICEF USA |
| 2020 | AIA Worldwide | Future Hunters |
| 2019 | Undertone, Havas, & Huge | Undertone for Airheads/Perfetti |
| 2018 | TROSS | RhinoWolf Video |
| 2017 | These Days | Sound of Tomorrow |
| 2016 | Western Union | Westernunion.com American Dream Sweepstakes |
| 2015 | Threshold Interactive | Getting Try-Curious With Butterfinger Cups |
| 2014 | POSSIBLE / Grey | Gillette Precision Play of the Week |
| 2013 | These Days | Non-Stop Rap Marathon |
| 2012 | Definition 6 | Where Will Happiness Strike Next |
| 2011 | Critical Mass & TBWA\Chiat\Day | the new car |
| 2010 | Conde Nast Digital | Procter & Gamble: Must Have Its |
Past top winners in Online Ad format include:
| Year | Winner | Entry Name |
| 2026 2025 | Infillion + US Navy Infillion + Zenith | Do You Have What It Takes? Uncrustables: Don’t Catch The Crust! |
| 2024 | Infillion and Rufus | Amazon |
| 2023 | Infillion + Horizon Media | Benjamin Moore |
| 2022 | true[X] and Carmichael Lynch | 76 Presents: Jean and Gene’s Awesome Adventure Road Trip |
| 2021 | true[X] | Walgreens |
| 2020 | DP+ | Subway HTML5 |
| 2019 | IBM Watson Advertising | IBM Watson Advertising and Behr Paint: IBM Watson Ads |
| 2018 | Inoventiv Canada Corp | William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty |
| 2017 | DCPI Creative Group | Disney x Coach |
| 2016 | Eyestorm Productions | Pint Class Ep. 2 – Temple of Stone |
| 2015 | MRM McCann West | Sydney |
| 2014 | RESOLUTION MEDIA | Lets be amazing |
| 2013 | Biggs|Gilmore | Froot Loops – Sooper Loopers |
| 2012 | The Liv Ballard Collection | Ieri Oggi Domani (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) |
| 2011 | GEICO Insurance inconjunction with CDG Interactive | GEICO Gecko Wheel of Wisdom iAD |
| 2010 | Mattel & Razorfish | Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 |
Interactive agencies that win multiple awards will also be in the running for Top Agency Award. Each entrant will be awarded points based on the level of award for each award received. The agency with the most points will be awarded the Top Agency Award. Agencies that win more the 6 awards will also be recognized with an Outstanding Advertising Developer award from the Web Marketing Association. In 2026, four agencies won this honor.
Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2027. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet advertising professionals with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web advertising. Past competition judges have included top executives from leading corporations, institutions and media organizations such as Arc Worldwide, Beeby Clark+Meyler, Brunner Digital, Campbell-Ewald, CNN, Deep Interactive Asia, Digitas, EuroRSCG 4D, Google, IBM Interactive, JWT, Mastercard, McCann Worldgroup, Possible, SapientRazorfish, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Small Army, Tectis GmbH, TMP Worldwide, Universal McCann Interactive and Wunderman / Y&R.
A complete list of past winners can be found at the IAC Award Website.