Built for Performance
For 2026, the Global Performance Marketing Awards categories have been refined to reflect how our industry has evolved.
Affiliate, creator partnerships, retail media and commerce now operate as part of a broader partnerships ecosystem. The new category structure mirrors this shift, focusing on strategy, commercial impact, scalability, innovation and the teams and partnerships driving measurable results.
The result is a more competitive field, clearer benchmarks and recognition that reflects real performance. Collectively, these categories represent the full spectrum of performance marketing as a core driver of growth.
The descriptions below provide directional overview – for full category synopses, judging criteria and entry guidance please review the entry kit.
Access the 2026 Entry Kit
Scoring criteria, judging insight and submission guidance - everything you need to prepare a high-scoring entry.
Our categories for 2026 are split into six distinct segments.
Partnerships & Collaboration
The partnerships powering performance.
These categories recognise collaborations between brands, agencies, publishers and networks/platforms that deliver stronger results together. The focus is on how partnerships are structured, executed and optimised to drive measurable commercial impact.
Best Brand & Agency Partnership NEW
Ideal for brands and agencies working together to drive measurable growth through partnership.
Best Publisher Partnership NEW
Ideal for brands, agencies and publishers collaborating to drive performance through content, audience or technology.
Best Strategic Partnership or Sponsorship NEW
Ideal for partnerships that unlock new audiences or opportunities beyond traditional performance channels.
Partnership of the Year
Ideal for organisations delivering standout results through a close, high-impact collaboration.
Campaign Excellence
High-impact campaigns that deliver real results.
These categories celebrate work that combines strategy, execution and partnerships to drive measurable performance. Judges are looking for clear objectives, strong delivery and outcomes that prove commercial impact.
Best B2B Performance Campaign NEW
Ideal for campaigns targeting business audiences with measurable pipeline or revenue impact.
Best Brand Performance Campaign
Ideal for brand-led campaigns delivering strong commercial results through partnerships.
Best Content Commerce Partnership
Ideal for campaigns using content to directly drive conversion, sales or revenue.
Best Creator or Influencer Partnership NEW
Ideal for campaigns where creators or influencers play a central role in driving performance.
Best Integrated Performance Campaign
Ideal for campaigns combining multiple partners or channels to drive stronger results together.
Best Retail, eCommerce & Consumer Campaign NEW
Ideal for campaigns driving performance across retail, eCommerce or consumer-focused services.
Best Travel, Leisure & Experience Campaign NEW
Ideal for campaigns delivering bookings, revenue or growth in travel, leisure or experience-led sectors.
Programme & Strategy
Strategies that deliver consistent growth.
These categories recognise long-term programmes and strategic approaches that deliver consistent growth. The focus is on scalable partnership strategies, optimisation and the ability to drive performance over time.
Best Affiliate or Partnership Programme NEW
Ideal for ongoing programmes delivering sustained performance and long-term growth.
Best Full-Funnel Partnership Strategy NEW
Ideal for brands or agencies using partnerships to drive results across the full customer journey.
Best Growth Strategy NEW
Ideal for brands, publishers or agencies focused on acquisition, expansion or new demand through partnerships.
Best New Programme Launch or Relaunch NEW
Ideal for newly launched or restructured programmes showing strong early results.
Best Programme Optimisation NEW
Ideal for brands, networks or agencies improving programme performance through change or innovation.
Innovation, Data & Technology
The ideas and technology shaping the future of performance.
These categories recognise the use of data, platforms, AI and measurement to improve performance. Innovation should demonstrate real-world impact, whether through efficiency, scale, accuracy or commercial results.
Best AI-Driven Performance Strategy NEW
Ideal for teams using AI or automation to improve performance and decision-making.
Best Data-Driven Performance Strategy
Ideal for strategies where data and insights directly inform optimisation and results.
Best Measurement & Incrementality Strategy NEW
Ideal for teams proving true business impact through testing, incrementality or advanced measurement.
Best Use of First-Party Data NEW
Ideal for organisations using owned data to improve targeting, personalisation and performance.
Most Innovative Technology or Platform NEW
Ideal for technology providers building tools or platforms that enable performance marketing and partnerships to scale.
Performance Channels & Execution
Execution across the channels that drive results.
These categories recognise excellence across key performance channels including influencer, retail media, loyalty and content-led commerce. The focus is on how channels are used effectively to deliver measurable outcomes.
Best Incentive, Loyalty or Cashback Strategy NEW
Ideal for strategies using rewards or incentives to influence behaviour and drive performance.
Best Influencer & Social Performance Strategy NEW
Ideal for strategies using influencer or social channels to drive measurable commercial outcomes.
Best Retail Media & Commerce Strategy NEW
Ideal for strategies leveraging retail media or commerce platforms to drive sales and conversion.
Teams & Industry
The people and organisations raising the standard.
These categories celebrate the teams, agencies, networks and platforms delivering consistent performance and contributing to the growth of the industry. Judges will look for leadership, collaboration and measurable impact.
Agency of the Year NEW
Ideal for agencies delivering outstanding performance across multiple clients, campaigns or programmes.
Partnership Ecosystem Award NEW
Ideal for affiliate networks, platforms and publishers enabling performance through strong partner ecosystems.
Performance Marketing Team of the Year
Ideal for teams delivering consistent results, strong collaboration and measurable business impact.
Transparency & Compliance in Performance Marketing NEW
Ideal for organisations setting the standard for trust, governance and ethical performance practices.