New York Festivals AME Awards has extended its deadline to June. This year, it has also added the AME WE Champion Campaign of the Year, a global award celebrating campaigns that uplift, represent, and advocate for women.
Campaigns considered for this new award may challenge gender bias or break taboos around gender and identity; spotlight authentic female voices and lived experiences; highlight underrepresented communities of women and girls; and elevate inclusive narratives across age, ethnicity, ability, or orientation. Entries that connect emotional storytelling with cultural relevance and deliver measurable outcomes are especially encouraged.
This award will be presented to the top-scoring campaign submitted across any of AME’s categories that aligns with its values and delivers effectiveness at its core.
The AME WE Champion Campaign of the Year winner will be selected by the AME WE Champion (Women in Effectiveness) Jury, a collective of global strategic trailblazers.
To reflect the spirit behind this initiative, members of the AME WE Champion Board and jury shared why this new honour matters
Menaka Menon, president and managing partner, growth & strategy, DDB Mudra South, stated, “Advertising & marketing have the power to influence cultural shifts and build a more equitable society for all in the generations to come. That’s what makes the AME WE Champion initiative so exciting to me. By recognising campaigns that champion gender equality, uplift women, and drive meaningful cultural and business impact, we create an environment for more such work to happen.”
Modjadji Mashatola, head of strategy, McCann Joburg South Africa, added,“I joined the initiative because effective advertising shouldn’t just speak to women, it should stay true to the shifts we’re seeing. Women are advocating for themselves, demanding space, and showing up in their full complexity. The work we honour must reflect that, championing honest, varied, and dynamic representations that don’t just change minds, but move culture forward. We cannot be stagnant when women in society are not.”
Abigail Baehr, chief strategy officer, VML USA, commented, “Today, it is more important than ever to maintain the visibility of women’s excellence within the Marketing environment. It is not optional—it is an essential part of building a future that is equitable for all. This is why I choose to be a WE Champion.”
“I instantly said yes to the AME WE Champion initiative because I’ve seen what happens when women are supported — in rooms, in roles, in stories. We create better ideas, better work, and a better industry.
Nadine Müller-Eckel, partner & chief strategy officer, Anomaly Germany, added, I’ve been lucky to have people around me who had my back. Hopefully one day, it won’t have to come down to luck — for any of us.”
Alison Tilling, chief strategy officer AUNZ, VML Australia/NZ, “There’s a lot of work still to be done to challenge stereotypes and ensure that marketing does its part to improve or raise awareness of issues or situations that disproportionately impact women (and people who identify as women).”
The AME WE Champion Board and Jury includes 19 women leaders from six continents, representing top-tier agencies that shape the global marketing landscape. Meet the AME WE Champion Board & Jury.
“The AME WE Champion Campaign of the Year Award celebrates campaigns that do more than market, they move culture forward,” noted Gayle Seminara Mandel, VP, executive director at New York Festivals AME Awards. “With the support of this incredible global jury of women leaders, we’re shining a light on work that challenges bias, uplifts women, and proves that effectiveness and inclusivity go hand in hand.”
Find more information about the AME WE Champion initiative here. The results of all AME Jury sessions are compiled in the annual AME Report, that ranks agencies and brands from over 30+ countries.
Find AME Awards competition details and enter here.
