Interested in being part of the ESA Awards? To find out more about the sponsorship opportunities, please email opportunity@sponsorship.org to start a discussion.
#ESAawards
Special Categories
• ESA Best of Europe
Across Europe, each national sponsorship agency puts forward their sponsorship of the year. These 3 awards (Bronze, Silver and Gold) are awarded to the best of the best – entry by invitation only
• ESA Sponsorship of the Year
The winner from each award category (below) is rejudged by the panel. One campaign will be crowned ‘ESA Sponsorship of the Year’
Main Categories
A project may be entered into more than one category, but a separate entry form must be prepared and tailored to suit the specific category selected.
Please refer to the Rules of Entry for further details.
Sector-focused awards
• Arts and Culture Sponsorship
An award specifically focused on the arts and culture sector – for a campaign, activation or holistic partnership
• B2B Sponsorship
The best business to business sponsorship activation (a campaign primarily targeting business customers rather than consumers)
• Community Sponsorship
The best sponsorship that makes an impact on communities – small and large
• Gaming Sponsorship
Focusing on outstanding campaigns and sponsorships in gaming, to include all egaming, mobile gaming etc.
• Mass Participation Sponsorship
Celebrating the best mass participation event – either created or sponsored. In essence, an event or activity that seeks to drive participation from a significant number of people
• Media Sponsorship
Best media partnership or sponsorship across any online or offline media channel e.g. broadcast, cinema, magazine, press, radio and TV partnerships
• Music Sponsorship
The best sponsorship at a music event or festival – for an activation or holistic partnership
• Purpose-Led Sponsorship
New for 2020, the best purpose-led partnership or sponsorship celebrates all forms of diversity, inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility – from charitable partnerships to women in sport, diversity, and sustainability
• Sport Sponsorship
Awarding the brand that has demonstrated a successful sponsorship in sport. There are 3 sub-categories based on the approximate rights fee. If no fee is paid, enter the award that feels most appropriate. You will not be penalised
– Sport Sponsorship < €1M
– Sport Sponsorship between €1M and €2M
– Sport Sponsorship > €2M
Discipline-focused awards
• Best Employee Engagement
The best activation of a sponsorship through a campaign targeted at engaging employees – utilising internal comms, activations or activities
• Best Newcomer
Recognising a brand new to sponsorship, entering a new sponsorship contract, or a new business/ agency in the industry
• Best Use of Branded Content
Celebrating the most effective use of branded content in a sponsorship campaign
• Best Use of Digital Channels
Best overall digital campaign – reflecting excellent overall use of digital as a platform (e.g. use of website, content, and social media) linked to a sponsorship or event
• Best Use of Hospitality
Celebrating creativity and execution in the use of hospitality as part of a sponsorship programme
• Best Use of Insights
The best example of actionable use of data/ insights/ analytics, demonstrating intelligent use of quantitative or qualitative insights, and how this has positively impacted decision-making in commercial partnerships or sports and entertainment campaigns
• Best Use of PR
The best example of how PR has been used as part of a sponsorship campaign, or, in a tactical way, to activate around a sport and music event/ moment/ news story, driving measurable ROO (rather than solely focusing on media value or reach)
• Best Use of Social Media
Best use of social media by a brand in sponsorship execution or tactically in sport, music or entertainment
• Best Use of Sponsorship across Multiple Markets
Celebrating an integrated sponsorship or activation that crosses at least THREE European countries
• Best Use of Talent in Sponsorship
Best use of talent in sponsorship and activations – may be an ambassador, blogger, celebrity, influencer, sports star etc. and can be an individual, group or team
• Game Changer
Celebrating new thinking in sponsorship – possibly an innovative approach, a commercial strategy, a game-changing social media campaign or an inspiring video. This award is to celebrate the work that best brings genuine creativity to the industry
Organisation-focused awards
• Agency of the Year (Pan-Europe)
Recognising the very best agency or consultancy engaged in sponsorship (or related disciplines) work that spans MORE THAN ONE European country. Usually, you will have offices in more than one European country
• Agency of the Year (Single Nation)
Recognising the very best agency or consultancy predominantly focused on delivering work in sponsorship (or related disciplines) in ONE European country. Usually, you will only have an office in one European country
• Rights Holder of the Year
Celebrating the Rights Holder that has gone out of their way to support sponsoring brands, offering innovative solutions and opportunities, and hitting targets. The RH may be a charity, sport, music festival, artist or athlete
