The Web Marketing Association judges will select the best mobile applications 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 mobile development work for consideration may do so at http://www.iacaward.org before the deadline of January 29, 2027.
“A place on a customer’s smartphone is some of the most valuable real estate a brand can earn,” said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “Consumers are selective about which apps they download, and even more selective about which ones they continue to use. For marketers, that creates a unique challenge: an app must offer genuine value rather than simply serve as another channel for promotional messages. Whether helping customers make purchases, manage accounts, access services, or enjoy personalized experiences, the best mobile apps become part of people’s everyday lives. The IAC Awards recognize the creative thinking and technical expertise required to build these exceptional experiences. Winning an IAC Award gives the agencies and marketing teams behind them a powerful credential that demonstrates their capabilities, builds confidence among clients and business leaders, and helps differentiate their work in a highly competitive marketplace.”
The 2027 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to everyone involved in the process of developing Internet advertising. Entries may be submitted online at http://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 mobile applications, Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats such as:
- Social Media
- Web sites (including microsites and landing pages)
- Online ads (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
- Rich media ads
- Email message campaign
- Online newsletter campaign
- Online applications
- Integrated ad campaign
- Online Video
“We believe that winning an industry specific award is more valuable to the participant. It allows participants to have their work judged against that of their industry peers, just like in the marketplace,” said Rice.
Other past Best of Show winners in the mobile application category include:
2026 Tribal EMEA for Personalised Brochures
2024 Hong Kong Trade Development Council for HKTDC Marketplace App
2023 John Hancock for John Hancock’s retirement app
2022 GEICO for GEICO Mobile
2021 GEICO for GEICO Mobile
2020 GEICO for GEICO Mobile
2019 Hong Kong Trade Development Council for HKTDC Marketplace App
2018 T3 for QuickTrip Route Planner for iOS
2017 TVGla for PetMOJI
2016 SapientNitro for Voice Cooking
2015 Franklin Templeton Asset Management (India) Pvt. Ltd for Fundtastic Cup
2014 Lowe Campbell Ewald for Navy: SeaPerch App
2013 RED Interactive Agency for Battleship: Destroyer Experience
2012 Nissan North America & Critical Mass for Nissan Versa iPad Experience
2011 HBO for Eastbound & Down S2 – Kenny Powers Home Run Fiesta
2010 imc2 for Pizza Hut iPhone App
In an effort to recognize those organizations that demonstrate exceptional development skills across multiple entries, 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, and winners will be notified by e-mail in March, 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.
To learn more and enter, visit www.IACAward.org.