2025 ESA Awards in partnership with Pearlfinders:
Special Categories
• Agency of the Year sponsored by Sponsorworks
Recognising the very best agency or consultancy engaged in sponsorship (or related disciplines) work
• Event of the Year sponsored by Wasserman Live
The best sponsored event (virtual or live) that delivered on all key objectives with a particular focus on audience engagement
• Rights Holder of the Year sponsored by caytoo
Celebrating the Rights Holder that has shown innovation or developments in the sponsorship discipline, resulting in the growth of audience, revenue, engagement or participation. Can be any rights holder, including any brand, charity or individual
• ESA Best of Europe sponsored by Sponsorium
(entry by invitation only)
Across Europe, each national sponsorship agency puts forward their sponsorship of the year. Bronze, Silver and Gold are awarded to the best of the best with entry by invitation only
• ESA Sponsorship of the Year sponsored by Pearlfinders (chosen from category winners)
The winner from each main award category is rejudged by the panel and one campaign is crowned ‘ESA Sponsorship of the Year’
2025 ESA Awards in partnership with Pearlfinders:
Main Categories
• Arts & Culture Sponsorship (FREE to enter)
An award specifically focused on the arts and culture sector – for a campaign, activation or holistic partnership
• Best Employee Engagement
The best activation of a sponsorship through a campaign targeted at engaging employees – utilising internal comms, activations or activities
• Best Use of Content
Celebrating the most effective use of content in a sponsorship campaign
• Best Use of Cutting-edge Technology
Celebrating the innovative use of technology in the sponsorship sector. This award can be for the tech itself or for the application of the tech in sponsorship, such as selecting an asset, engaging with customers or enhancing an activation
• Best Use of Measurement & Insight
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 Talent
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
• Environmentally Sustainable Sponsorship
The best sponsorship that inspires audiences by championing a cause and campaigning for environmental sustainability
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Sponsorship partnered by NoTurningBack2020
Best sponsorship showcasing awareness of and support for communities under-represented or subject to discrimination on the basis of an individual or group of individuals’ protected characteristics
• Esports & Gaming Sponsorship
Focusing on outstanding campaigns and sponsorships in esports and gaming
• 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 in the musical field. This could be a music event, festival, music-related activation, or holistic partnership with labels/ studios, etc.
• Sponsorship with a Social Purpose
The best sponsorship that inspires audiences by championing a cause and/or positive social change
• Sport Sponsorship
Awarding the brand that has demonstrated a successful sponsorship in sport. Split into sub-categories by rights fees. Sport Sponsorship €5M+ is sponsored by datapowa
