Social Media

About the Discipline

Social Media

Social Media recognizes work where social platforms are central to the idea, strategy, and execution. While the work may exist as part of a broader campaign, the social components must be conceived as social-first and built around the behaviors, features, and culture of the platforms themselves.

Entering Social Media

Who should enter?

Social & Community Teams
Social agencies, community managers, strategists, and brand teams building ideas around how people behave on platforms.

Platform-Native Makers
Creators, content studios, developers, and cultural specialists turning platform features and community rituals into participation.

Entrants of all types are welcome, including teams working with niche communities or across multiple social platforms.

Entry Tips

Make the social mechanism visible. Show the platform behavior, feature, or community insight that shaped the idea, and include the actual posts, interactions, or participation that brought it to life.

Explain what people contributed and why the work belonged on those platforms. Give judges relevant evidence of engagement or outcomes, with enough context to distinguish meaningful participation from distribution alone.


Good to Know

Entering

The same work may be entered into up to three (3) categories in Social Media. 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

Social Media 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 Social Media 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


SM_01
Social Channel - Single Platform
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A brand's overall brand personality and voice on a single (1) social network, utilizing that particular network's specific functionalities or strengths.
Enter this Category

SM_02
Social Channel - Multi-Platform
Advance Deadline Fee: $825.00

A brand's overall brand personality and voice on a series (2-5) of social networks, utilizing each particular network's specific functionalities or strengths.
Enter this Category

SM_03
Social Post - Single
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) branded post on a social network, utilizing that particular network's specific functionalities or strengths. Post should have been created specifically for distribution on social media channels.
Enter this Category

SM_04
Social Post - Single Platform Series
Advance Deadline Fee: $825.00

A series (2-10) of branded posts around a central theme on a single social network, utilizing that particular network's specific functionalities or strengths. Campaigns should have been created specifically for distribution on social media channels.
Enter this Category

SM_05
Social Post - Multi-Platform Series
Advance Deadline Fee: $825.00

A series (2-10) of branded posts around a central theme on a series (2-5) of social networks, utilizing each particular network's specific functionalities and strengths. Campaigns should have been created specifically for distribution on social media channels.
Enter this Category

SM_06
Social Post - Real-time Response
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

The use of real-time information to create brand-centric messaging or to react to current events in a single (1) or series (2-10) of social posts. Posts should have been created specifically for distribution on social media channels.
Enter this Category

SM_07
Social Video - Under 15 Seconds
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of mobile-first vertical or square videos, up to 15 seconds in length, which are comprehensible with and without sound and created to promote a brand, product, message, or service. Videos should have been created specifically for distribution on social media channels.
Enter this Category

SM_08
Social Video - Over 15 Seconds
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of mobile-first vertical or square videos, over 15 seconds in length, which are comprehensible with and without sound and created to promote a brand, product, message, or service. Videos should have been created specifically for distribution on social media channels.
Enter this Category

SM_09
Livestream
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of online videos that document a brand's live event via real-time video on a social platform.
Enter this Category

SM_10
User-Generated Content (UGC)
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-10) of branded social content that is derived from user-submitted materials. Content should have been created specifically for distribution on social media channels.
Enter this Category

SM_11
Brand Universe
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2–5) of social media work that builds an ongoing world around a brand, going beyond traditional product selling or placement. Includes recurring formats, characters, or experiences that create continuity, expand storytelling, and deepen audience connection across platforms.
Enter this Category

SM_12
Community Building
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2–5) of social media work designed to bring audiences together and foster active participation. Defined by initiatives that encourage dialogue, user contributions, shared identity, and lasting engagement.
Enter this Category

SM_13
Community Engagement
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-10) of branded social content that encourages active participation from users to trigger engagement and interaction with the brand.
Enter this Category

SM_14
Social Media Stunts & Activations
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of real-world stunts or activations intended to trigger social media response and interaction.
Enter this Category

SM_15
Influencer Marketing
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

Partnership with an established social media influencer or influencers to enhance or promote a brand through that influencer's audience and style, released on a single (1) or a series (2-5) of social platforms.
NOTE: Entries must include the name and social channel(s) of the influencer(s) involved in the work.
Enter this Category

SM_16
Influencer Marketing - Use of Celebrity
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

The use and incorporation of an established celebrity or celebrities to enhance or promote a brand via content created specifically for distribution on social media channels.
NOTE: Entries must include the name(s) of any celebrities involved in the work.
Enter this Category

SM_17
Inventive Feature Use or Modification
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2–5) of social media work that makes inventive use of a platform’s features or modifies them in unexpected ways. Includes reimagining native tools (e.g., filters, polls, stitches, AR, live formats) or bending platform mechanics to deliver creative impact and deeper audience engagement.
Enter this Category

SM_18
Commerce
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-10) of branded social content that integrates and facilitates the buying, selling, or trading of goods.
Enter this Category

SM_19
Social Media for Good
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of branded social content 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

SM_20
Brand Partnerships
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

Two or more brands working together to create a single (1) or series (2-5) of work created specifically for distribution on social media channels.
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

SM_21
Craft - Use of Humor
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of branded social media content that leverage humor as a creative tool.
Enter this Category

SM_22
Craft - Use of Drama
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of branded social media content that leverage drama as a creative tool.
Enter this Category

SM_23
Craft - Writing
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

Writing of a single (1) or series (2-10) of social media posts.
Enter this Category

SM_24
Craft - Use of Visuals
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

Use of visuals in a single (1) or series (2-10) of social media posts. Includes static or dynamic elements.
Enter this Category

SM_25
Craft - Use of Technology
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

Use of technology applied to a single (1) or series (2-10) of social media posts.
NOTE: No special equipment will be used for judging. The required submission media must showcase the technology.
NOTE: Work using AI technology should be entered into SM_27: Craft - Use of Technology - AI.
Enter this Category

SM_26
Craft - Use of Technology - AI
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

The use of AI technologies applied to a single (1) or series (2-5) of social media posts.
NOTE: No special equipment will be used for judging. The required submission media must showcase the technology.
Enter this Category

SM_27
Innovation - New Ideas in Social Media
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of work created specifically for distribution on social media channels 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 SM_28: Execution or SM_29: Use of Media.
Enter this Category

SM_28
Innovation - Execution in Social Media
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of work created specifically for distribution on social media channels 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 SM_27: New Ideas or SM_29: Use of Media.
Enter this Category

SM_29
Innovation - Use of Media in Social Media
Advance Deadline Fee: $650.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of work created specifically for distribution on social media channels 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 SM_27: New Ideas or SM_28: Execution.
Enter this Category