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ALL JURIES

SECTION ALL JURIES

The ALL JURIES section focuses on special themed groups showcasing local spirit, social good causes, and works actively challenges harmful gender norms and deep-seated cultural biases, demonstrating a creative breakthrough, an innovative shift in process or procedures that lead the way forward in advertising. Due to these subjects' distinct nature, entries here will be shortlisted by all the juries and judged for awards by the five-jury presidents and one representative from each of the 5 juries chosen by the organiser. In the UNFPA Inclusion Excellence group a representative of UNFPA joins the jury to review and judge the registered entries.

GROUP
A

GENIUS LOCI / LOCAL SPIRIT

In the LOCAL SPIRIT group, entries will be judged on a basis of understanding the distinctive local spirit of the home country and showcasing it in the creative strategy and execution. The country of implementation of the entry in this group must be one of the 42 countries eligible to compete at the Golden Drum Festival Competition.

This group has no sub-categories. 

DETAILED TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR GROUP A: GENIUS LOCI / LOCAL SPIRIT

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
GROUP
B

SOCIAL GOOD

The SOCIAL GOOD group comprises multiple executions (such as film, radio, press, OOH, digital, mobile, direct) as well as events, social activations and integrated campaigns that deal with social, mental and environmental awareness, humanitarian, charity and other public and non-profit or profit communication. The entries will be judged on a basis of social relevance of their message and its creative brilliance. This group has the following categories:

CATEGORIES:

  1. Non-profit Social Good
    The Non-profit Social Good category is intended only for organizations that are defined as non-governmental or non-profit legal entities that are organized for the purpose of serving a public or mutual benefit rather than the pursuit of owner or investor profit.
  2. Profit Social Good
    The Profit Social Good category is intended for organizations that are intended to generate income and are in no way non-profit organizations.

DETAILED TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR GROUP B: SOCIAL GOOD

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
GROUP
C

UNFPA INCLUSION EXCELLENCE

The UNFPA INCLUSION EXCELLENCE group recognizes creative work that actively challenges harmful gender norms and deep-seated cultural biases and contributes to a more inclusive and equitable society. The group honours work that moves beyond surface-level representation to instead portray a more authentic, inclusive and equitable world for all. Entries in this group should demonstrate how creativity can actively question the “default” narratives of society and replace them with empowering alternatives.

Eligible work may address, among others:

  • The redefinition of gender roles, such as portraying men as engaged caregivers, equal partners in domestic responsibilities, and emotional anchors within families.
  • The visibility and leadership of women in traditionally male-dominated industries, decision-making roles, and public life.
  • Inclusive representation of older people, persons with disabilities, and historically marginalised communities, highlighting their professional, social and cultural contributions.
  • The dismantling of stereotypes related to gender, age, ethnicity, disability, or sexual orientation.

This group celebrates advertising and creative communication as a powerful force for building stronger, more inclusive and more resilient societies, where no one is left behind.

During judging, the following criteria will be considered: 

  • Challenging Harmful Norms: How effectively does the work challenge "default" societal expectations with regard to gender roles (e.g., rebalancing the domestic care burden, depicting engaged fatherhood, or placing women in high-level decision-making roles)?
  • Diverse Representation: Does the work broaden the portrayal of individuals by including diversity in gender, ethnicity, disability, and age? We seek representation that reflects the true diversity of each of the 42 Golden Drum markets.
  • Narrative Displacement: Does the entry successfully replace a harmful or restrictive stereotype with an empowering, inclusive alternative?
  • Creative Brilliance: The work must demonstrate exceptional craft, execution, and impact, proving that inclusive values drive creative excellence.

This group does not have individual categories.

This group is open to entries from 42 countries eligible to compete at the Golden Drum Festival Competition. Entries will be shortlisted and the best entry will receive the UNFPA Inclusion Excellence Award. No Golden, Silver or Bronze Drums will be given in this group. The winner of the UNFPA Inclusion Excellence Award will receive points for Golden Drum rankings.

DETAILED TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR GROUP C: UNFPA INCLUSION EXCELLENCE

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
GROUP
D

GAME CHANGER (open worldwide)

The GAME CHANGER group is intended for campaigns that challenge the traditional ways of advertising through their idea, concept and/or execution. Works in this group must present a creative breakthrough, an innovative shift in the process or procedures paving the way forward in advertising, or impactful influence on the mindset and behaviour of the target audience.

This group does not have individual categories.

All winners in this group are included in WARC rankings and The Drum World Creative Rankings. Although the group is open to entries worldwide, only the 42 countries eligible to compete at the Golden Drum Festival Competition will receive points for Golden Drum rankings.

DETAILED TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR GROUP D: GAME CHANGER (open worldwide)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Organizer
Event Production Partner
Visual Identity Partner
Official PR Partner
Global Media Partner
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