2025 WINNERS REVEALED IN 16 : 06 : 46 : 59
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Judging Criteria

Eligibility, creative credits, case studies and music licensing — everything jurors and entrants need to know.

01

Eligibility

  • Work submitted must be broadcast, published or released in a commercial environment with client approval between 1st September 2022 and 1st March 2023.
  • All work submitted, including work in multiple categories, must be in the exact form it was broadcast, published or released — with all logos, trademarks and copy marks intact, regardless of category or medium. Work must not be altered for submission purposes.
  • Any work created solely for the purpose of entering this competition is not eligible.
  • In the case of a query by the jury, the entrant will be required to provide documentary evidence to prove eligibility of entry.
  • Entries that have not been finalized before the final deadline will automatically be deleted from the entry system.
  • All companies and/or individuals involved in the creative process are eligible to enter.
  • MMA allows any company or individual to enter work they have collaborated on. An entry fee entitles only one entrant (one office and city) to be listed on an entry as the entering company.
  • If more than one office or company worked on an entry and both would like to be listed as the entering company, each must enter individually and pay an entry fee.
  • If an entry attains statue status and the entrant has listed multiple companies and/or cities, only one statue will be shipped complimentary to the person/company registered in the MMA system.
02

Creative Credits

  • All creative credits must be input prior to finalizing entries. If a credit field does not apply, leave it blank — do not populate with dashes, N/A, etc.
  • Company city should be input when relevant.
  • Credits should be checked carefully prior to finalizing — these credits are used to calculate Of The Year awards and will appear on our website, in press releases and all publicity material.
03

When Entering a Case Study

  • The case study submitted for judging must clearly show the work in-situ.
  • The presentation should clearly demonstrate the concept and show the key elements through which the core idea has been expressed.
  • Must not exceed 3 minutes.
  • Narration must be in English or have English subtitles.
  • It is mandatory that case studies use Royalty-Free music.
  • MMA will not allow media to be changed once judging commences.
04

Entries Including Case Studies — Use of Music

  • If a case study with extraneous music attains Shortlist or Winner status, you will be notified by email.
  • Any entrant that requires MMA to change the media because of music rights will be charged fees.
  • In the medium of Branded Entertainment, case study videos must NOT use any extraneous music, as jurors will not know if the music is part of the actual execution of the entry. Entries using extraneous music that is not part of the execution will be disqualified. Entry fees for disqualified entries will not be refunded.
05

Legal Indemnification for Music

If an entrant uses music in either an individual entry or a case study and/or presentation videos, it must be Royalty-Free or Licensed Music. By entering work with music, the entrant confirms, warrants and represents that they have the right to use such music from the time it is entered into MMA and in perpetuity, so that if it shortlists or attains a higher status the music can be used and/or featured on the MMA website.

The entrant indemnifies and holds harmless MMA, its successors and assigns, and its parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies and their respective officers, employees and agents from any liability, claims, demands, loss and/or damage (including legal costs and attorneys' fees) arising from any third-party claim that is inconsistent with the warranties, representations or agreements made by the entrant — including any claim arising from the submission or use of music that is not Royalty-Free or Licensed.

MMA may, at its election and without limitation, recoup and recover the amount of any costs and expenses (including legal costs and attorneys' fees) paid or incurred to defend, respond to, negotiate or prosecute any claim, demand or action that is inconsistent with the entrant's warranties hereunder. The entrant shall reimburse MMA on demand for any payments made with respect to such claims.

06

Profiles of Top Independent Music Firms

Manhattan Music Awards, now in its 9th year, is the #1 music awards program in the USA for music PR, music marketing and talent booking agencies. The award program has been in full motion since 2012, working with brands and partners across the industry.

Each year a different area of the music industry is examined. Our winning pick includes practice-area feature stories as well as profiles of PR and music agency firms — their strengths, revenues and success stories in the focus area of the year. Areas examined include music marketing, music PR, talent booking, creative music firms and music management companies.

The Manhattan Music program focuses on the firms and individuals making news in music PR, music marketing and talent booking. For a comprehensive guide to other agencies — including media training, video production, celebrity talent, executive search, influencers, management and labels — please contact us.