What are the key dates for the 2024 ESA Awards?
Judges announced: Thursday 28 September 2023
Early bird entry deadline: Friday 29 September 2023 (23:59)
Entry deadline: Friday 20 October 2023 (23:59)
Shortlist published: Thursday 14 December 2023 (12:00)
Early bird ceremony ticket deadline: 5 January 2024 (23:59)
Winners announced at ESA Awards ceremony: 7 March 2024
Read more about our ESA Awards
– Four secrets to winning an ESA award
– Unveiling the exclusivity of the ESA Awards
What format will the 2024 ESA Awards entries take?
For 2024 we are again offering applicants a choice of entry format:
– a 250-word ‘elevator pitch’
– AND a pre-recorded 10-minute video presentation
– OR a written 2,000-word Word doc.
All entries will be judged by a panel of experts to be announced late September.
Will the judging process continue to be as rigorous as in previous years?
Yes. While entering remains easier than ever, the judging process is deisgned to ensure that the quality of submissions isn’t compromised. Entries will be judged according to strict criteria via a multi-step process involving dozens of senior industry leaders from across Europe and the globe, and a blind scoring process.
How do I become an ESA Awards judge?
ESA encourages all senior industry professionals and leading marketers to apply to the ESA Awards judging panel. We want to gather a group of diverse, representative, knowledgeable sponsorship practitioners to judge our Awards. Becoming an ESA Awards judge is a stimulating and rewarding experience which demonstrates your standing in the industry and allows you to take an inside look at some of the continent’s biggest sponsorship campaigns.
Find more information and submit your ESA Awards judge application HERE.
The judge application deadline is 23:59 on Friday 8 September 2023.
How much does it cost to enter the ESA Awards?
Anyone may enter the ESA Awards and early birds and ESA members benefit from discounted entry. Depending on your level of ESA membership, you may also be entitled to enter some campaigns free of charge. Prices start at £125 (ex VAT & Eventbrite fees) per entry for early bird members and the more you enter, the cheaper it is per entry. Find the current entry fees listed on our direct Eventbrite link HERE and download the table of entry fees HERE.
Why should I enter the 2024 ESA Awards?
The ESA Awards is the pinnacle of European sponsorship recognition, and winning one puts you in elite company. 2023 winners include Accor, AIB, AIG, Allianz, American Express, An Post, Castrol, Circle K, DHL, eBay, EE, Energia, FedEx, Gjensidige, Heineken, Innis & Gunn Brewing, Laško, Sky, SuperValu, Vhi, Visa, Vodafone, WHOOP and Workday to name a few.
While there are many awards focused on the disciplines of sports marketing and sponsorship in specific countries, the ESA Awards has the broadest geographical scope and the widest focus across all parts of the European sponsorship space, from arts and culture to esports and gaming, and everything in between.
By entering the ESA Awards you will gain visibility across ESA’s digital platforms, bulletins and widely-followed social channels. You also demonstrate a commitment to the sponsorship community, allowing you to be seen as an active and innovative member and showcase your work undertaken in the last 18 months.
What counts as a European campaign?
All applicants must be based in, or have one of their principal offices located in Europe and all projects submitted must reflect sponsorship activity based within at least one European national market. However, given the global and predominately digital nature of some entries, please reach out to ESA or consult the ESA Awards rules of entry for further clarification.
How do I know which category to enter?
The 18 main ESA Awards categories are divided into three areas of focus – discipline (such as branded content or PR), sector (such as music or arts and culture), and special awards. If you are unsure of which categories work best for your sponsorship or campaign, feel free to contact us.
Will there be a ceremony in 2024?
ESA is committed to providing a space to celebrate the best and brightest of the European sponsorship industry and so the 2024 ESA Awards programme includes an in-person celebration in London on 7 March 2024.
English isn’t my first language, am I at a disadvantage?
No. While entries must be submitted in English, ESA’s judging panel accommodates all those whose first language is not English. ESA receives entries from across Europe and sponsorship professionals from all nations are encouraged to take part.
Will the ESA Fellowship be part of the 2024 ESA Awards ceremony?
Yes, the ESA Fellowship was introduced in 2023 and there will be an induction of ESA Fellows each year going forward. Stay tuned to your ESA bulletins for more information about plans for 2024.
I am interested in sponsoring the 2024 ESA Awards – what should I do?
Sponsorship packages for the 2024 ESA Awards are now available. To find out more about the sponsorship opportunities, please email us to start a discussion.
If you still have questions that are not answered here, please contact us.