~ Ad Club drives inclusivity and participation from clients with Client of the Year Award in both Creative and Media Abby Awards ~

~ Introduces Creative Network of the Year and Media Network of the Year Awards ~

~ Introduces Independent Agency of the Year ~

 ~ Introduces two new digital-based categories in Creative Abby Social Content & Influencer Marketing and Creative Commerce, Use of Data, B2B ~

~ Amalgamates Green Abby, Red Abby and Diversity Equality & Inclusivity into Sustainable Development Goals in Creative Abby ~

May 18, 2026; Mumbai, India: 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.

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