The Marketing Society GCC has announced the shortlist for its 2026 GCC Awards, with organisations including Mashreq Bank, Majid Al Futtaim, Red Sea Global, Microsoft, HSBC, Miral, Carrefour, Mercedes-Benz, PwC, du, the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, Checkout.com and M42 among the finalists.
Now in its fourth year, the awards recognise excellence in marketing across the GCC, celebrating campaigns, teams and partnerships that have demonstrated creativity, commercial impact and leadership. Launched in the UAE in 2023, the awards are judged by a panel of 25 chief marketing officers from across the region and span nine categories.
The shortlisted entries cover a wide range of industries, with campaigns competing in categories such as Brand Communication, Brand Evolution, Creative Use of Media, B2B, Best Team, Customer Experience, Successful & Effective Partnerships, Marketing Innovation & Technology, and Sustainability.
Among the shortlisted campaigns are Carrefour’s “Bright Bites – The World’s First Supermarket Built for Kids,” Miral Destinations and Weber Shandwick’s “Stranger Things: The Experience on Yas Island,” Microsoft’s “Microsoft AI | The Tour,” Mashreq Bank’s “Mashreq Masterclass,” and Red Sea Global’s sustainable digital marketing campaign for AMAALA.
Alasdair Hall-Jones, GCC Director of The Marketing Society, said the quality of this year’s entries reflects the rapid evolution of marketing across the region.
“Every year we’re seeing the standard of marketing across the GCC reach new heights, and this year’s shortlist is our strongest yet. The quality of work submitted demonstrates that world-class marketing isn’t something we simply admire from elsewhere—it’s being created right here across the region,” he said.
He added that the awards recognise not only creativity but also leadership, commercial effectiveness and the marketers helping shape the future of business.
The winners will be announced at The Marketing Society GCC Awards ceremony on September 17, 2026, in Dubai, bringing together marketers, agency leaders and business executives from across the region.
Founded in 1959, The Marketing Society is a global not-for-profit membership organisation with hubs in the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UAE and New York. The organisation supports more than 3,300 marketing professionals through networking, professional development, events and industry awards.
