Frequently Asked Questions

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Account Entering Submission Requirements Entry Fees Eligibility Payment Entry Showcase Judging & Prizes

Account

Do I need to make a new account?
No, you will not need to make a new account if you have entered before. If you already have a One Club or ADC Annual Awards account, sign in with your email and password to create your entries.
If you are new to the ADC Annual Awards, you can easily create an account which will allow you to enter.

Do I have to be a One Club member to enter?
No. You do not have to be a member of The One Club to enter. However, we always recommend the benefits of One Club membership! For more details on membership, click here.

How do students enter The ADC Awards?
The ADC Annual Awards is for professionals only, but we encourage students to enter The Young Ones Student Awards. Click here for more details.

Entering

How do I enter?
If you already have a One Club or ADC Annual Awards account, sign in with your email and password to create your entries.
If you are new to the ADC Annual Awards, you can easily create an account which will allow you to enter.

Are physical entries accepted?
Physical submissions may be entered into the Brand / Communication Design, Book Design, Magazine / Newspaper Design and Packaging Design disciplines. Physical submissions much reach The One Club for Creativity no later than March 4, 2026. Physical submission should be mailed to:

THE ONE CLUB FOR CREATIVITY

ATTN: ADC 105th ANNUAL AWARDS

450 West 31st Street 6th Floor

New York, NY 10001 USA
See more questions about submission requirements.

Note: Physical entries cannot be returned to entrants.

What is the deadline for entries?
The ADC Annual Awards has different submission periods. To view the different deadlines, click here.

What are the categories?
The ADC Annual Awards categories vary by Discipline. Click here to view the Discipline categories.

Can I edit or add credits after I have completed checkout and closed my entries?
Yes. Credits are not used for judging, and they can still be edited on closed entries.
NOTE: A Primary credit is required for all entries. Judging is anonymous, so the jury will not see this.

Can I edit my Entry Title or Client/Brand after I have completed checkout and closed my entries?
No. You will not be able to edit your Entry Title or Client/Brand on the entry details section for closed entries. If you need to make a change, please email adcawards@oneclub.org. Be sure to include the Entry ID number in your email.

Can I submit my judging media after I have completed checkout and closed my entries?
No. The entry system will not allow you to close your entries until you have added the required media.
NOTE: Judging media cannot be edited on closed entries.

Can I delete my entries after I have completed checkout and closed them?
No, you will not be able to delete your entries once you have completed checkout and closed them.
NOTE: All entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. By submitting entries into the competition, entrants are committing to pay for all entry fees in full.

Can I duplicate my entries or do I need to create each entry separately?

On an entry in your Open/Draft or Closed/Submitted list, click the CREATE COPY button to duplicate that entry into another category or categories.
NOTE: You may be required to make adjustments to the new entry if it does not fit the new category's requirements.

Can I duplicate my entries into the One Show?

Yes! As a partner awards competition within The One Club for Creativity, you can create an entry in either the ADC Awards or The One Show ;entry system and then create a duplicate copy in the other competition.
Email adcawards@oneclub.org with a list of the entries (by Entry ID) that you'd like to duplicate. Please note that it may take up to 48 hours to appear in your Open/Draft list in the second entry system.
NOTE: After the entries appear in your account in the new entry system, you will need to:

Select the category for the new entry
Make adjustments to information and/or media that does not fit the new category's requirements
Proceed to checkout in both competition systems

NOTE: Once duplicated, each entry must be edited in each system separately.

Learn more about cloning entries into The One Show.

What can I continue editing on my entry after I submit?
Reference the chart below to see which parts of an entry will be locked and when.

	ENTRY CREATION		PROCESSING	WINNER PROCESS
	Draft / Open Entries	Submitted / Closed Entries	Prepared for Judging	Finalist Entry To Confirm	Finalist Entry Confirmed
Entry Details	unlocked	locked	locked	locked	locked
Media – Judging	unlocked	locked	locked	locked	locked
Media – Supporting	unlocked	locked	locked	locked	locked
Media – Reference Images	unlocked	unlocked	locked	locked	locked
Media – Archive	n/a	n/a	n/a	unlocked	locked
Information	unlocked	unlocked	locked	unlocked	locked
Credit	unlocked	unlocked	unlocked	unlocked	locked
Entry Showcase Opt-In	unlocked	unlocked	unlocked	n/a	n/a

NOTE: The media displayed in the One Club Archive can be confirmed or replaced for Finalist (winning) entries after Finalists are notified.
NOTE: After Finalists (winners) are notified, the Entry Showcase will no longer be public.

Submission Requirements

Can I send in physical items for judging?
Physical submissions are accepted and encouraged in the Brand / Communication Design, Book Design, Magazine / Newspaper and Packaging Design disciplines.

Note: Physical entries cannot be returned to entrants.

What media is accepted?
Each category accepts different media. Click here to view the categories and their submission media requirements.
Click here to view details on file specifications for different media types.

What information is needed to create an entry?
All ADC Annual Awards entries require the following information on the project, regardless of category. Individual categories may have additional requirements.
General Project Information:

Entry Title: Give your entry a name. The jury will see this, it will be used to reference your entry, and it will show in the online Archives for winning work. (required)
Client / Brand: Who was the client on the project? (required)
NOTE: If the work was created for yourself and does not have a Client, please put your name or "Self-Promotional" into the Client/Brand field.
Client URL: Client's website (optional)
Client Type: The type of client the project was done for. You may choose from Consumer/B2B, Non-Profit, or CSR. (required)
Vertical Market: The specific industry to which your promoted product or service relates. Click here to view the full list of available Vertical Markets. (required)
Launch Date: The month and year in which the work first ran, aired, was published, etc. (required)
Entry Description: Describe your project in 300 words or less; the jury will see this. (optional)
NOTE: Some categories require additional written information and context.

Do I need to provide an English translation for my entry?
Yes. English translations are required for all work in another language.

Image and Audio Media: For entries in a language other than English, please provide an English translation in the "Judging Description / Translation" field with your individual media.
Video Media: For video entries in a language other than English, please provide English subtitles in the video or a translation in the "Judging Description / Translation" field with your individual media.
PDF Media: All PDF entries must be submitted in English.
URL Media: For URL entries in a language other than English, use the "Judging Description / Translation" field with your individual media to provide any necessary instructions in English.
Physical Materials: For all physical entries in a language other than English, use the "English Translation" field in the Information section on the entry.

Entry Fees

How much does it cost to enter?
There is a fee for each entry that you submit. These fees vary by category, company size and deadline date.
To view a summary of all fees, click here.
To view the different Discipline categories, click here.
NOTE: All fees listed are in U.S. Dollars (USD).

Is there a registration fee?

There is no registration fee to create an account. However, there is a fee for each entry that you submit. These fees vary by category.

Are there additional fees if I win?
There are no additional fees for entries winning an ADC Annual Awards Cube, Merit, or Special Award. If you would like to purchase additional trophies, please visit the One Club store.

Where do my entry fees go?
The One Club for Creativity is a non-profit organization. All entry fees from The ADC Annual Awards go towards The One Club for Creativity's education, gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and professional development initiatives. Learn more.

Eligibility

Is my entry eligible to be entered?
Click here to see if your entry meets ADC Annual Awards guidelines.

My spot only ran once. Is it eligible?
Yes. Your spot is eligible.

Are there any rules or regulations for submitting entries?
Yes. Click here to see the rules, regulations, and submission restrictions for entry.
NOTE: Not complying with the rules and regulations will result in your entries being disqualified from the competition.

How does The One Club define a fake ad?
The One Club defines "fake ads" as: Ads created for nonexistent clients, ads made to run without a client's approval, and ads created expressly for award shows that are run once to meet the requirements of a tear sheet.

What are the penalties of entering a fake ad?

An agency, the regional office of an agency network, or the independent agency that enters an ad made for nonexistent clients, or made and run without a client's approval, will be banned from entering The ADC Annual Awards for 5 years.
The team credited on the fake ad will be banned from entering The ADC Annual Awards for 5 years.
An agency, the regional office of an agency network, or the independent agency that enters an ad that has run once, on late night television, or has only run because the agency produced a single ad and paid to run it themselves, will be banned from entering The ADC Annual Awards for 3 years.
NOTE: The One Club reserves the right to review 'late-night, ran-once' and launch versions, at The One Club's discretion. If it is determined that the ad was created expressly for award show entry, the penalty will hold.

Payment

How can I pay for my entries?
We accept payments by all major credit cards, Alipay, WeChat Pay, check or via wire transfer. Credit card, Alipay and WeChat Pay payments are subject to a 3% processing fee. Wire transfer payments are subject to a $35 USD processing fee.
NOTE: All payments must reach The One Club within 15 business days of the invoice date.
For any payment questions, please contact accounting@oneclub.org.

Who should the check be made out to?
Please make sure all checks are made payable to: The One Club for Creativity, Inc.
NOTE: ALL CHECKS MUST BE IN U.S. DOLLARS DRAWN ON A U.S. BANK.

How do I add my Tax ID or VAT number to my invoice?
Your Tax ID or VAT number can be added under the Account Holder section of your account details. Once added to your account, this number will then automatically appear on your invoice(s) after Checkout.
NOTE: The billing details can be edited for any invoice on the Invoices section of your account.

How do I add a PO number to my invoice?
Once you have the PO number for your invoice, go to the Invoices section of your account and click the pencil icon to the right of the invoice documents. The PO number can be added to the Memo field on the invoice.

Do you accept payment in foreign currency?
No. All payments must be made in U.S. Dollars (USD).

How will I know if my credit card payment went through?
After entering your card details and clicking the "pay now" button, you will be taken to a "thank you" screen where you can download a copy of your invoice.

What should I do if my credit card payment is declined?
You may need to get the charge pre-approved with your card provider. Detailed instructions on steps to re-submit your payment can be found on the Payment page.

Can I receive a refund for my entry fees?
No. All entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. By submitting entries into the competition, entrants are committing to pay for all entry fees in full.

Entry showcase

What is the Entry Showcase? Is it required?
The Entry Showcase is an option for entrants to publicly share their submissions on the ADC entry site.
NOTE: Sharing entries in the showcase is NOT required.

Will my entry be judged from the Entry Showcase?
No. Entries are NOT judged from the showcase.

Why is my entry not appearing in the Entry Showcase?
Only closed entries that you have selected to share will appear in the showcase. Make sure you have selected "Yes" under the prompt that reads "Include in Showcase?" on your entry.

Judging & Prizes

How are entries being judged this year?
All work will be judged by our esteemed international juries. Work that has advanced past First Round will be judged in Second Round, then advance into Final Discussion Round.

Will there be any in-person judging this year?

Many of our juries will be meeting in person for Second Round judging and discussion. Several of our juries will be judging online and gather via virtual discussions.

When does judging take place?
First Round: Digital entries will be judged online in February and March 2026.
Physical entries will be judged in-person in March 2026.
Second Round: Digital entries that advance from the First Round will be judged online March through April 2026.
Physical entries that advance from the First Round will be judged in-person in March 2026.
Discussions: Juries will meet for discussions in March and April 2026.

Who is on this year's jury?
The ADC 105th Annual Awards Jury will be announced in January. See who has been on past juries here.

When are winners announced?
All Finalists (winners) will be notified by email after judging is completed. Notifications will be sent to the primary email address associated with your account. Please be sure to keep this information up to date.
NOTE: Notifications will be sent only to those selected as Finalists.

What do I receive if I win?

Gold, Silver & Bronze winners will receive a complimentary trophy engraved with the primary company or artist name, project title and client name.
Merits winners will receive a digital certificate with the primary company or artist name, project title and client name.
Winners are invited to the ADC Annual Awards Gala held in New York City on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026.
Gold, Silver & Bronze winners are showcased in the ADC Winners Showcase.
Gold, Silver, Bronze & Merit winners are added to the ADC Winners Archive.
ADC releases Global and Regional press releases to industry media outlets across the globe featuring select winners. Last year 214 articles were published regarding the ADC winners and finalists worldwide. The One Club for Creativity will also highlight select winners via The One Club for Creativity social media channels.
Winners receive 1 year of free Individual Membership to the One Club for Creativity.

Please see the Awards & Prizes page for more details.
NOTE: One complimentary Cube is awarded per win.