The Web Marketing Association judges will select the Best Online Newsletters for 2027 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. Companies or agencies wishing to nominate their email newsletters for consideration may do so at www.IACAward.org before the deadline of January 29, 2027.
“A strong online newsletter is one of the most underappreciated assets a marketing organization can build,” said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “While advertising budgets fluctuate and social media platforms continually change their algorithms, a loyal newsletter audience gives companies a direct, permission-based connection with people who have already expressed an interest in their products, services, or expertise. Great newsletters are not simply collections of promotional messages. They deliver useful content, reinforce a brand’s personality, and give subscribers reasons to remain engaged. The IAC Awards recognize the creativity, editorial judgment, and marketing discipline required to make these programs successful. For agencies and corporate marketing departments, winning an IAC Award turns work that often happens behind the scenes into a visible professional achievement that can help justify marketing investments, recognize talented employees, and demonstrate proven expertise to current and prospective clients.”
Past Best of Show Online Newsletters include:
2026 Zeta Globalfor Nothing Bundt Cakes Loyalty Welcome Series
2025 RPE Origin for Well-U
2024 Data Axle and Marriott International for Marriott Bonvoy Inspires Travel with Design, Imagery and Animation
2023 Engaging Marriott Bonvoy Members Worldwide with Personalized Content at Scale to Drive Bookings won by Marriott International & Data Axle
2022 University of Guam Big G Weekly Newsletter won by University of Guam
2021 Marriott Bonvoy Traveler won by Data Axle for Marriott Bonvoy
2020 ROXOR Weekly Dealer Email won by TMV GROUP
2019 Spartan Life Newsletter won by Spartan
2018 The Citizens Daily FiX Online Newsletter won by EMI Strategic Marketing
2017 #YRMatters won by The Regional Municipality of York
2016 Town & Country Bank Website won by Town & Country Bank
2015 L’Oreal Paris USA’s Red Hot Holiday Trends won by Acxiom Digital Impact
2014 African Wildlife Online Newsletter campaign won by Sanky Inc
2013 WWF fundraising email campaign won by rabbit eMarketing GmbH
2012 Bing Travel Horizontal Scroll won by Acxiom Creative
2011 Manulife Solutions won by BlueRush Digital Media Corp.
2010 Online Newsletter campaign for VISIT FLORIDA won by Miles Media
The 2027 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to all organizations and individuals (advertising and interactive agencies, corporate marketing departments, etc.) involved in the process of developing Internet advertising. Entries may be submitted online at IACAward.org. The deadline for entry is January 29, 2027 and will be judged on design, creativity, impact, innovation, copywriting, and use of the medium.
In addition to online newsletters, Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats such as:
- Social Media Campaigns
- Online ad (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
- Online ad campaign
- Email message
- Rich media ad campaign
- Rich media online ad
- Integrated ad campaign
- Web sites (including microsites and landing pages)
- Online Video
- Mobile Apps
Interactive agencies that win multiple awards will also be in the running for Top Agency Award. Each award won will count for points. The agency with the most points will be awarded the Top Agency Award. Agencies that win more than 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.
The 25th annual Internet Advertising Competition is sponsored by the following leading organizations: PR.com, eTail Conferences and iContact.
To learn more and enter, visit www.IACAward.org.