Radio & Audio-First

About the Discipline

Radio & Audio-First

Radio & Audio recognizes advertising in the form of audio-based content such as broadcast or online commercial spots and podcasts.

Entering Radio & Audio-First

Who should enter?

Audio Storytellers
Radio creatives, podcast producers, writers, voice performers, and audio studios making ideas work through listening.

Audio Experience Builders
Brands, agencies, platforms, and developers using sound or voice to invite participation, provide utility, or connect with audiences.

Entrants of all types are welcome, from traditional spot makers to creators exploring new listening experiences.

Entry Tips

Let judges hear the work as an audience would. The idea should be understandable through the listening experience, with writing, casting, performance, and sound working together.

For interactive or utility-based audio, demonstrate what listeners do and what happens in response. Keep supporting explanation focused on essential context, and make clear why sound is fundamental to the idea.


Good to Know

Entering

The same work may be entered into up to three (3) categories in Radio & Audio-First. Craft and Innovation categories are not included in this limit.

All work must have been client-commissioned and adhere to the terms for International Entries, Non-Compliance, and other One Show terms of entry.

Fees

The One Show continually strives to be equitable and continues to offer currency value adjustments for specific countries and regions to account for an unfair disadvantage from the value of their local currency in comparison to the US Dollar. Learn more.

Reduced fees are offered to approved Independent companies with less than four offices globally. Learn more about entering as an Indie.


One Show Categories

Radio & Audio-First work can also be entered into other One Show categories.

Each discipline is reviewed by a set of specialized judges, focusing on the specific characteristics and challenges highlighted by work in that discipline.

All One Show Categories
One Show Fees

Reviewed by Experts

The Jury

These entries will be reviewed by a jury of experts at the top of their field to determine the best Radio & Audio-First work of the past year.

Round 1: January – March
Round 2: late March
Discussion Round: early April

Learn more about judging and result announcement dates.

Meet the President

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[basic info, links to profile overlay]

Submission Requirements & Categories

ELIGIBILITY
Project must have launched between January 1, 2026 – March 5, 2027.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
All One Show entries require both information on the project and media.
Below is the information that is required for all entries, regardless of category. Refer to the individual categories for additional requirements.
NOTE: Entry information should not contain agency details, as judging is anonymous; this does not apply to self promotion or Brand-Side work.
NOTE: Do NOT use all capital letters when providing information.
NOTE: All fields are required and will be seen by the jury, unless otherwise noted.

  • Entry Title: Provide the name of the project, or the campaign name.
    NOTE: Do not put the category into the Entry Title.
  • Client / Brand: Who is the client on the project and/or what brand is it promoting?
  • Single or Series: Choose from: Single (1), Series (2+). Required only for categories that allow both Single and Series entries.
  • Client Type: Choose from: Consumer / Brand, Business to Business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Non-Profit
  • Vertical Market: The specific industry to which the product or service relates. See the full list of options here.
  • Launch Date: The month and year in which the work first ran, aired, was published, etc.
  • Background: Describe the challenge presented, problem being addressed, cultural background, or other key components to the initial brief. (max 300 words)
  • Creative Idea: A summary of the creative idea behind the work. (max 300 words)
  • Insights & Strategy: The insights and strategy that informed the final work and its intended purpose. (max 300 words)
  • Execution: Explain critical elements of the final execution of the work including craft, placement, tone, and other specific aspects of the creation and implementation of the work. (max 300 words)
  • Results: The results or outcome of the work such as reach, response, engagement, sales, awareness, etc. (max 300 words, not required)
  • Translation to English: Required for all entries which are not originally in English.
    NOTE: Video entries should include subtitles when possible.
Each category accepts specific media types. For general file specifications, view the Submission Media page.
Media can be attached to your entry after your category is selected. Click the View Submission Requirements button on a category below for details.

Digital media will be saved into your account. Identical media will not need to be added more than once as it can be attached to entries from your Manage Media list.

SUBMISSION MEDIA
  • Judging Media: The primary material and content that the jury will be judging.
  • Supporting Media: Secondary material and content that the jury may review at their discretion.

REFERENCE IMAGES
  • ALL entries require high res digital reference images. These images will not be judged. However, they may be used by The One Show for promotional purposes.

ENTRY THUMBNAIL
  • Every entry requires a thumbnail image. The jury will see this for reference only, it will not be judged.
A Primary Credit is the only credit required to submit an entry.
NOTE: Credits do not need to be completed in order to submit entries. Credits may be added to a closed entry after it has been completed and judged.

Credits will be saved into your account. Identical credits will not need to be added more than once as they can be attached to entries from your Manage Credits list.

COMPANY
Company credits each require the following:
  • Company Name
  • Company City
  • Company Type is to be selected from the list provided.
    NOTE: "Other" can be selected, but will not be ranked.

INDIVIDUAL
Individual credits each require the following:
  • First Name
  • Last Name
  • Title is to be selected from the list provided.
    NOTE: "Other" can be selected, but will not be ranked.
  • Company / Company City is the company that this individual is associated with (optional)



CATEGORIES


RA_01
Sonic Branding / Branded Audio
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of sounds or compositions used to identify a brand. Includes sonic logos, jingles, etc.
Enter this Category

RA_02
Broadcast - Single
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) commercial spot broadcast over national, regional, or satellite radio stations.
Enter this Category

RA_03
Broadcast - Series
Advance Deadline Fee: $825.00

A series (2-5) of commercial spots broadcast over national, regional, or satellite radio stations.
Enter this Category

RA_04
Online - Streaming Audio Advertising
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of commercial spots broadcast over an internet radio station or platform.
Enter this Category

RA_05
Online - Branded Podcast
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of podcasts that integrate a brand into its content.
Enter this Category

RA_06
Custom Content
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of branded audio content customized to a specific audience. Can be stand-alone or woven into a larger plot or narrative. Includes user-generated content.
Enter this Category

RA_07
Experiential Radio & Audio
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of branded audio content that triggers action from the listener. Includes proximity-based listening, user-specific content, physical world interaction, etc.
Enter this Category

RA_08
Commerce
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of branded audio communications that facilitates the buying, selling, or trading of goods or services. Includes the use of voice assistants, audiobots, podcasts, and other audio-led experiences.
Enter this Category

RA_09
B2B Communications
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-10) of audio-led advertising intended to communicate a message or service between businesses.
Enter this Category

RA_10
Radio & Audio for Good
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of audio-led advertising that creates a positive change by addressing a pressing social, environmental, or cultural challenge and that benefits a larger purpose than the brand.
Enter this Category

RA_11
Brand Partnerships - Multi-Brand
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

Two or more brands working together to create a single (1) or series (2-5) of audio-based pieces.
NOTE: Entries must include all client/brand names involved in the work.
NOTE: All brands involved should also be listed under the full credits.
Enter this Category

RA_12
Brand Partnerships - Creator / Brand Collaboration
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2–5) of radio or audio-first work created through collaboration between a brand and a creator. Highlights authentic alignment, distinctive creator voice, and expanded reach or resonance delivered through the partnership.
NOTE: All client/brand names involved in the work must be included.
NOTE: All brands and creators should also be listed under full credits.
Enter this Category

RA_13
Craft - Use of Humor
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of radio and audio advertising that leverage humor as a creative tool.
Enter this Category

RA_14
Craft - Use of Drama
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of radio and audio advertising that leverage drama as a creative tool.
Enter this Category

RA_15
Craft - Writing - Single
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

Writing of a single (1) audio-based piece.
Enter this Category

RA_16
Craft - Writing - Series
Advance Deadline Fee: $825.00

Writing of a series (2-5) of audio-based pieces.
Enter this Category

RA_17
Craft - Sound Design
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

Sound design of a single (1) or series (2-5) of audio-based pieces.
Enter this Category

RA_18
Craft - Use of Music
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

Use of original or adapted music in a single (1) or series (2-5) of audio-based pieces.
Enter this Category

RA_19
Craft - Voice Direction
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

Direction in a single (1) or series (2-5) of audio-based pieces.
Enter this Category

RA_20
Craft - Casting
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

Casting in a single (1) or series (2-5) of audio-based pieces.
Enter this Category

RA_21
Craft - Storytelling
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2–5) of radio or audio-first work distinguished by the strength of its storytelling craft. Defined by structure, pacing, character, and emotional impact that bring the idea to life through sound.
Enter this Category

RA_22
Craft - Use of Technology
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2–5) of radio or audio-first work where technology is central to the creative execution. Includes innovative recording methods, sound manipulation, distribution formats, or technical applications that advance the medium.
Enter this Category

RA_23
Innovation - New Ideas in Radio & Audio
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of radio and audio advertising that explores new or transformative ideas and concepts that push the discipline forward.
NOTE: Entries must include a written explanation of the innovative and transformative aspects of the concept and idea behind the project.
NOTE: Innovative techniques in execution or use of media should be entered into Innovation categories RA_24: Execution or RA_25: Use of Media.
Enter this Category

RA_24
Innovation - Execution in Radio & Audio
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of radio and audio advertising that explores new techniques, devices, or methods in implementation that push the discipline forward.
NOTE: Entries must include a written explanation of the innovative and transformative aspects of the techniques used in execution.
NOTE: Innovative concepts and ideas or use of media should be entered into Innovation categories RA_23: New Ideas or RA_25: Use of Media.
Enter this Category

RA_25
Innovation - Use of Media in Radio & Audio
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of radio and audio advertising that explores creative placement, positioning, timing, or other innovative use of media to reach the target audience and push the discipline forward.
NOTE: Entries must include a written explanation of the innovative and transformative aspects of the media use and placement.
NOTE: Innovative concepts and ideas or techniques in execution should be entered into Innovation categories RA_23: New Ideas or RA_24: Execution.
Enter this Category