Brands, Agencies, and Creators Step Into New Era as the Industry Shifts Toward Community-First, Owned-Content Strategies
NEW YORK, March 25, 2026, The Shorty Awards, the leading international awards program honoring excellence in digital and social media, today announced the finalists for its 18th annual season.
Under this year’s theme, “Claim Your Era,” the finalists captured the digital industry in a confident transition, moving toward owned content, community-driven ecosystems, and high-intent audience engagement. Notable finalists include The Walt Disney Company, Nike, YouTube, Amazon, Google, Procter & Gamble, Netflix, Spotify, HBO Max, Sony Pictures Entertainment, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Duolingo, Sephora, Chipotle Mexican Grill, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, AARP, Edelman, Ogilvy, Deloitte, Code and Theory, Giant Spoon, Movement Strategy, 1000heads, We Are Social, Critical Mass, Deutsch, Loop. View the full list of finalists.
"In our 18th year, 'Claim Your Era' is more than a theme, it’s a declaration of adulthood, a reflective question and a call to action to digital storytellers," says Junmian Sun, Managing Director of Shorty Awards. "This season’s finalists moved past the 'rented attention' and algorithmic chasing. They claimed the era of creativity with gravity, by building community, investing in their craft, and entering conversations that people actively choose to return to rather than scrolling by.”
Finalists and winners are selected by the Real Time Academy, a judging body comprised of industry leaders from top brands and organizations like Walt Disney Company, NFL, Digitas, Meta, Amazon, Google, Apple, Netflix, Female Quotient, Bobbie, and more
Winners will be announced at the 18th Annual Shorty Awards live show on May 19 in New York City. More information about the live show can be found here.
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ABOUT THE SHORTY AWARDS
The Shorty Awards (also known as “The Shortys”) honors the most innovative work in digital and social media by brands, agencies and organizations.
Founded in 2008, the Shortys’ notable previous winners include Malala Yousafzai, Trevor Noah, Michelle Obama, Conan O’Brien, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, and brands such as MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount, Digitas, HBO, Meta, Airbnb, Honda, UNICEF and PepsiCo.
The Shortys’ mission is to celebrate, inspire and push the boundaries of excellence in digital storytelling. Entries are judged on the merits of creativity, strategy, and engagement by the Real Time Academy, a body of hand-selected industry experts and leaders. The public can also weigh in and select their favorite Shorty Awards contenders during Audience Honor Voting.
Currently, the Shortys have two annual competitions, the flagship Shorty Awards and Shorty Impact Awards dedicated to honoring the best work with a positive social impact.
