The Advertising Club (TAC) has announced the introduction of new
categories for ABBY Awards 2026, further strengthening the Awards’ commitment to creative
excellence while also continuing its partnership with The One Club | The One Show.
The 2026 ABBY Award marks the addition of 2 new trophies at a network level, being presented to The
ABBY Creative Network of the Year and The ABBY Media Network of the Year. Additionally, the 57 th
edition of the awards also witnesses the introduction of the Creative Client of the Year and Media
Client of the Year Awards. This award recognises the client whose brands collectively secure the highest
number of points respectively across Media and Creative ABBY, further driving inclusion and deepening
participation from clients across sectors. Another key awards is the introduction of Independent Agency
of the Year.
Responding to trends in top global creative festivals, The ABBY Awards Governing Council took a step
forward this year for its 57 th Edition of ABBY Awards by inviting some of India’s most awarded creative
leaders, global jury members, agencies and constituents to co-create and bring ideas forward to ensure
the awards continually evolve, are ahead of the curve, and thus internationally aspirational and relevant.
The Ad Club, together with the industry, co-created new trending categories, keeping in mind the
growing influence of Digital and Technology in creativity. ABBY Awards 2026 has also introduced 2 new
Creative ABBY categories with Social Content & Influencer Marketing, and Creative Commerce, Use of
Data and B2B.
In addition, the erstwhile categories Green ABBY, Red ABBY, DEI (Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity) have
been amalgamated into Sustainable Development Goals under Creative ABBY.
Speaking on the introduction of new categories to the ABBY Awards Powered by The One Club | The
One Show, Dheeraj Sinha, President, The Advertising Club, and CEO, McCann India, said, “Abbys are
the most definitive creative and media awards platform in India, now in their 50 th year. This is the only
award show by the industry and for the industry. This year we’ve made several upgrades to the award
platform, we’ve brought in a big four as a process consultant, introduced new categories to align the
awards to modern marketing. And most importantly introduced trophies for the client and the client of
the year trophy. I am excited about the Abbys 2026 and look forward to a great awards season.”
Emphasising the continued evolution of ABBY Awards Powered by The One Club | The One Show, Ajay
Kakar, Chairperson, ABBY Awards 2026, said, “As the industry grows more global, our benchmarks must
evolve too. This year’s updates to the ABBY Awards Powered by The One Club | The One Show bring a
more inclusive and internationally aligned framework. We look forward to celebrating work that
competes at the highest level.”
Kickstarting 2026, trophies on stage will be presented both together to the winning agency and the
client for the winning work for both Creative and Media ABBY, further strengthening participation
from clients.
The ABBY Awards 2026 Powered by The One Club | The One Show is scheduled to take place at Goafest
2026 on May 20, 21 and 22, 2026 at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon.
About The Advertising Club
The Advertising Club, incorporated in the year 1954, is now in its 72 nd year. It is arguably the biggest Advertising
Club of its kind in the world. And according to many, also the busiest. It has over 1700 members drawn from media
organizations, marketing companies, advertising agencies and allied professional bodies.
The Advertising Club’s charter is to help raise the professional standards of the Indian Advertising Industry. The
Club attempts to do this through awards, seminars, training workshops and meetings. Some of the major awards
of Advertising Club include: Creative & Media Abby at Goafest, EMVIEs, EFFIEs, MARQUEES and Young Achievers’
Awards besides having other popular programmes such as D:CODE – Digital Review, Ad Review, Media Review,
M.Ad Quiz, Vice & Versa on its annual roller coaster. It publishes a Club magazine SOLUS and hosts a
comprehensive website, www.theadvertisingclub.net.
