Communication Arts 2027 Advertising Competition

The Communication Arts Advertising Competition is one of the most respected annual competitions for advertising craft. Communication Arts, the US magazine for visual communication, selects the year's best print ads, posters, television and radio commercials, digital and social advertising, public service work and integrated campaigns for its Advertising Annual. The 2027 deadline is 25 June 2027 at midnight Pacific Time, with late entries accepted until 16 July 2027.

What Winners Receive

There is no cash prize. Each winning entrant receives a personalised Award of Excellence trophy, milled from solid aluminium, and award certificates for firms, individuals and clients. Winners are featured in the Advertising Annual, in print and digital editions distributed worldwide, and on commarts.com. Only accepted entrants are notified, within a few months of the final deadline.

Categories in the Communication Arts Advertising Competition

The category list is broad:

• Consumer magazine, consumer newspaper and trade or institutional advertising
• Posters: outdoor, transit, point-of-purchase and other
• Sales promotion and self-promotion, including promotion for ad clubs
• Television and radio commercials
• Digital advertising: online video, banner ads, social media, mobile and other
• Public service print ads, posters, collateral, television, radio and non-traditional work
• Integrated campaigns, which must use at least three media types
• Non-traditional advertising, such as out-of-home and guerrilla work
• Student work

Websites and other projects that need significant user interaction belong in the separate Interactive Competition.

Entry Fees

Fees depend on the category and format. A single print ad or JPG poster costs $45 and a series of up to five costs $90. Video entries cost $110 for a single piece and $220 for a series of up to three. PDF collateral costs $60 single or $120 series. An integrated campaign costs $300. Entries registered after 25 June carry a $10 late fee per entry. All fees are in US dollars and are non-refundable.

Student Entries

Students enter advertising projects created for a school assignment in the Student Work category. A single JPG entry costs $20 and a series of up to five $40; video or radio costs $45 single and $90 for a series of up to three. Work entered as student work cannot be entered in other categories, and it must be completely original or have documented usage rights.

How Judging Works

Each juror views a portion of the entries independently and votes in or out. A majority vote moves a project from the screening round into the finals, where judges again vote independently. Judges cannot vote on work they were directly involved in. Communication Arts may move an entry to a more suitable category without penalty.

Why Enter the Communication Arts Advertising Competition?

Acceptance into the Advertising Annual is highly selective, and creative directors around the world recognise it. For agencies, in-house teams and freelancers, a place in the annual is a lasting credential for a portfolio and a new-business pitch. For students, it is a rare chance to appear alongside professional work.

Single or Series?

You can enter a campaign as a series and enter the strongest individual pieces as singles. Work in a series must belong to the same campaign and is judged as a group, so one weak piece can pull down the others. If a campaign has a clear standout, consider entering it alone as well.

Preparing Your Entries

Only basic credits are needed during judging; full credits and reproduction files are requested if the work is selected. Prepare clean, well-lit images of print work and make sure videos and links play without logins. Confirm you have permission from your client before entering.

Things to Consider

• No cash prize; the reward is selection and publication.
• Fees are non-refundable.
• Late fee: $10 per entry after 25 June.
• Deadline: 25 June 2027.

Enter the Competition

Ready to put your advertising work in front of the jury?

Enter the Communication Arts Advertising Competition

Categories, fees and rules are on the Communication Arts website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: November 7, 2026