Announcing the 2021 #Hashtag Award Winners
2020 was no easy feat.
In the midst of a global pandemic, we were forced to watch our industry go on pause. We saw the loss of business, colleagues, and growing fear across the world.
Yet, in the middle of a crisis, we saw hope. We saw our colleagues stand up and create engaging campaigns that brought joy to communities across the country. We witnessed charity, collaboration, and a commitment to diversity, unlike anything we have seen before.
This year, the #Hashtag Awards proudly hosted the most diverse panel of jurors a Canadian marketing award show has ever seen. With more than half of the panel comprised of women and representation from the entire BIPOC community, we are here to show the industry as it is; as it will always be.
That being said, the work is not done yet. It is our duty to continue striving for change and inclusion. As juror William Jonhson said, “Marketers create culture, and through their work and the conversations they spark, they have the power to push society forward.”
The winners of the 2021 #Hashtag Awards have shown they have what it takes to do just this. They have shown their commitment, not only to their craft but to the world at large. From jaw-dropping creative campaigns that made waves on a national scale, to diversity & inclusion initiatives that held brands accountable, this group of talent is going to change our industry forever.
Here are your 2021 #Hashtag Award Winners
Best Social Media Campaign
Winner: Libro Credit Union
Runner Up: The City of Calgary
Best Use of Social Media (Business)
Winner: Sky Alphabet
Best Use of Social Media (Non-Profit)
Winner: UpHouse & the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba
Runner Up: Harvey McKinnon Associates
Agency of the Year
Winner: Thinkingbox
Brand of the Year
Winner: RNDSQR
Best PR Campaign
Winner: SMC Communications
Runner Up: AM/FM Inc.
Best Communications Campaign
Winner: Yulu PR
Runner Up 1: Partners and Hawes Marketing Consulting Inc.
Runner Up 2: Hippie Snacks
Best SEO Marketing
Winner: DDB Canada
Podcast Award
Winner: ATB Financial
Best Marketing Campaign - Non-Profit, Foundation or Charity
Winner: Science World
Runner Up 1: DDB Canada
Runner Up 2: Acts for Water
Best in Show for Small Agency 2-5
Winner: Front and Centre Communications Inc.
Runner Up 1: Partners and Hawes Marketing Consulting Inc.
Runner Up 2: Worthington PR and Story
Best in Show for Medium Agency 6-20
Winner: UpHouse
Runner Up 1: Periphery Digital
Runner Up 2: Anchor Marketing Inc.
Best in Show for Large Agency 21+
Winner: DDB Canada
Best in Show for Individual Marketer
Winner: Bill Morrison at Newterra Marketing Consulting
Marketing Leadership Award
Winner: Conner Galway at Junction Consulting
Best SAAS for Marketers
Winner: Function Point Productivity Software, Inc.
Runner Up: Creator (formerly Shop and Shout)
Best Reporting Software
Winner: DashThis
Best Digital Ads Campaign
Winner: Periphery Digital
Best Integrated Campaign - Integrating Radio, TV & Digital
Winner: Calgary Co-op
Best Integrated Campaign - Integrating OOH, Print & Digital
Winner: SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)
Best Direct Mail Campaign
Winner: Anchor Marketing Inc.
Best Campaign with Creators
Winner: Creator (formerly Shop and Shout)
Runner Up: ATB Financial
Creator Award
Winner: Matthew & Karla Bailey at Must Do Canada
Best Email Campaign
Winner: FOUR20
Web Project of the Year (Less than 10 pages)
Winner: Forge and Smith
Web Project of the Year (More than 10 pages)
Winner: SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)
Really Nice Award
Winner: SMC Communications
Runner Up 1: Libro Credit Union
Runner Up 2: ATB Financial
Ad of the Year
Winner: AM/FM Inc.
Diversity & Inclusion
Winner: Unbounce
Runner Up 1: SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)
Runner Up 2: #HealthNotHate Collective
BIPOC Marketing & Communications Leader
Winner: Hannah Lim, Marketing & Creative Director at Netcoins Inc.
Runner Up 1: Tammy Tsang from AndHumanity, Inclusive Marketing Agency
Runner Up 2: Daryl Louie
Best Marketing E-Newsletters in Canada
Winner: Junction Consulting
Female Leader Award
Winner: Lori Hatcher, Head of Marketing for Truss Beverage Co.
We’d like to thank our entire jury panel for their thoughtful and deliberate work with this year’s submissions. Special thanks to, Cybele Negris, Darian Kovacs, Mike Morrison, Frank Palmer, William Johnson, Rashel Hariri, Bianca Bujan, Vladimir Taikov, Crystal Kwon, Antoine Bonicalzi, Krystal Taing, Tony Chapman, Vicki Laszlo, Richard Wong, Dena Blevins, Britney Muller, and Alicia Haque.
Want to be on this list next year? The 2021 #Hashtag Awards will be here before you know it. In the meantime, stay up-to-date with Marketing News Canada to hear about new opportunities and events coming your way.
Written by Hannah Macready