Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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?
Unfortunately, physical items are not accepted this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. All entries into the ADC 101st Annual Awards must be submitted digitally.
See more questions about submission requirements.

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 send in physical items for judging?
Unfortunately, physical items are not accepted this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. All entries into the ADC 101st Annual Awards must be submitted digitally.

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)
• 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.

How much does it cost to enter?
There is a fee for each entry that you submit. These fees vary by category.
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 enter.

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.

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.

How can I pay for my entries?
We accept payments by all major credit cards, check or via wire transfer. Credit card 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 additional financial information to my invoice (Tax ID, VAT, PO, etc.)?
Additional financial information may be added to the Memo field with an address in your Account. This information will automatically appear on your invoice when you choose this address at Checkout.

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.

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.

How are entries being judged this year?
All judging will be done online due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. As in past years, all work will be judged by our esteemed international juries. Work that has advanced past First Round will be judged in Final Round, then advance into Discussion Round.

Will there be any in-person judging this year?
No, judging will be done only online and through virtual jury discussions.

How will entries be judged if the physical component is crucial to the work?
For categories that would have accepted physical entries in the past, we have expanded the submission media options to include digital media such as unboxing videos, demo videos, publication PDFs, etc. so that you can showcase and represent your physical works in the best way possible.

When does judging take place?
The first round of judging begins online in mid-February. Final Round begins in March, and Discussions begin in April.

Who is on this year's jury?
The ADC 101st Annual Awards Jury will be announced soon. See who has been on past juries here.

When are winners announced?
All Finalists (winners) will be notified by email after judging is completed in May. 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?
Finalists are awarded Gold, Silver, and Bronze Cubes, or a Merit Award.
NOTE: One complimentary Cube is awarded per win.