AUCKLAND, Today: A new global awards program is shaking up how creative excellence is recognised in advertising as AI becomes a core part of the industry. The AARON Awards, the first dedicated AI creator awards for advertising, are now open for entries.
Most AI awards focus on short-form content or general work, and traditional shows are built for big agencies rather than AI-native creators and emerging AI studios.
The AARON Awards fill that gap with a dedicated platform for people using AI as their primary creative medium. It’s open to independent creators, small studios and agencies, but designed for those who build with AI from the ground up.
Named after AARON, the first true AI artist by Harold Cohen, the awards celebrate the fusion of human creativity and machine intelligence in brand innovation.
Unlike many showcases, the focus is commercial work. Spec ads sit in a separate category to keep the emphasis on real campaigns with brand impact. The awards push back against “AI slop” and champion craft, design and intention, with AI used to elevate the work rather than flood it.
“We’re here to celebrate work that uses AI with purpose and craft. Commercial creativity matters, solving a real brief is a different skill entirely.”
“AARON isn’t about adding an AI checkbox to existing categories, it’s the first awards program that puts AI creators at the centre of the advertising industry,” says Vinne Schifferstein.
“We’re here to celebrate work that uses AI with purpose and craft. Commercial creativity matters, solving a real brief is a different skill entirely.
“Asia is already seeing extraordinary new AI talent rise, and Australia’s creative pedigree means AI becomes a launchpad, not a shortcut, for even greater imagination and innovation.”
“The most inventive work in AI isn’t coming from large networks, it’s coming from creators and AI-first studios,” adds Marie-Celine Merret. “AARON celebrates them, the makers building new pipelines, new worlds and new forms of storytelling.”
The awards highlight artists and studios designing new workflows, tools and narratives using AI in applied and meaningful ways. The inaugural global jury features leaders from creative technology, advertising and art across agencies, platforms and studios.
Key Dates
Early entries close: 31 January 2026
Final entries close: 15 February 2026
Show date: April 2026
- Submit your work at www.aaronawards.com
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