For over 50 years, spanning 125+ markets, the Effie Awards have celebrated the very best in marketing effectiveness. Only campaigns that make a real business impact are recognized.
Effie demands strong work. So we require strong judges.
The Effie Canada Jury brings together leaders from across agencies, brands, and the broader marketing ecosystem - ensuring a range of perspectives in judging the work that works. If you're passionate about Marketing Effectiveness and are not easily pleased, we'd love to hear from you.
Judging provides you with an unmatched opportunity to see and understand how success works outside of the product/service categories you work on day-to-day. Participating as an Effie Judge also provides an excellent opportunity to network with other industry leaders. We’re seeking experienced brand and agency marketers with diverse backgrounds across industries and disciplines.
Judging for Effie Awards Canada 2026 will take place over two rounds in June and July 2026. Depending on the jury, judging will either be virtual or in-person. More details will be provided if you’re selected to be a judge.
Judges receive cases across a range of categories and evaluate all elements of an entry, written case and creative executions, on a stand-alone basis without comparison to other entries in the category. Each jury member reviews a unique set of cases. Scoring is done confidentially by each juror and each case is reviewed by multiple jury members. In June 2026, Round One judging starts with a virtual, total jury kick-off and information session. Jurors will individually read, review and judge their assigned cases on their own time during the Round One judging period. Judges join a two-hour moderated discussion focused on evaluating cases in general. These sessions are a mix of virtual and in-person. A judge may only participate in one Round One session. Round One judges determine the finalist entries that will move on to Final Round.
Round One Judging dates:
Finalist entries are judged against other finalists within their category, and like Round One, the elements of each case are reviewed and scored by multiple judges. Robust moderated discussion and debate with fellow jurors is part of the Final Round sessions. In July 2026, Final Round judging will start with a virtual, total jury kick-off and information session. Jurors are asked to pre-read their assigned cases prior to their jury session. Jury sessions are structured around categories, scheduled over a one-week period, and generally take four hours each to complete. A judge may only participate in one Final Round session. Judging sessions are a mix of virtual and in-person events.
Final Round Judging dates:
Gold-winning cases are evaluated by a panel of senior industry leaders who determine which campaign has demonstrated truly exceptional effectiveness. This in-person, moderated session takes place in Toronto during the week of August 17, 2026. As with the Final Round, the discussion is dynamic, focused, and debate-driven.
The winner of the Grand Effie will be announced at the Canadian Marketing Effectiveness Summit (CMES), which this year takes place at The Gathering Festival in beautiful Banff, Alberta, from October 20–24, 2026. The week will feature rich programming on marketing effectiveness, including case studies, thought leadership, and live discussion – and will culminate in the Effie Gala on Friday, October 23rd, where we’ll reveal this year’s Effie Canada Award winners. More details to come.
More information about Effie Awards Judging.
Complete the form below to submit your application for Round One and Final Round judging opportunities.
Please Note: Effie Canada judging opportunities are primarily available to ICA Member agencies and the clients and brands they work with. We also include select participants from academia, media, and other marketing-related disciplines to ensure well-rounded juries.
For 2026, eligibility has been expanded to include Freelancers and Solo-preneurs who have worked with ICA Member agencies during the current competition year’s eligibility and Call for Entries period, as well as Fellows of the ICA (FICA).
The needs of Effie Canada change on a rolling basis as we strive to create juries that reflect a balance of disciplines, industries, and regions. For this reason, we cannot guarantee the acceptance of all applicants.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and you will be contacted directly if selected.
More about Effie Awards Canada and the 2026 Effie Awards Canada competition.
