Big Ideas. Small Teams. Fierce Independence.

The Indies is a new rebel wing inside The One Show, created for independent shops and creators who make powerful work without holding company budgets – or holding company politics.

Leaner and meaner categories and deadlines that reflect your independent ethos. A jury built from those who know how to do more with less. And of course, lighter entry fees for your heavyweight ideas.

No need to worry about going up against larger budgets with multiple submissions across different categories; in the Indies, you and your competitors can only submit a total of 10 entries, with the same piece submitted up to 3 times, making for a level playing field.

To the outliers, the scrappy geniuses, the small teams with big ideas, the Indies are where creative freedom isn't a luxury – it's a weapon.

Defining Independents

Who is eligible?

Independent Ownership
Minimum 51% owned by founders or employees

Offices
No more than 4 physical offices globally

Advertising agencies, production houses, design firms and other creative entities who meet the above criteria are welcome to apply & compete.

How to Apply

Update your Account Type Details to answer Yes that you are an Indie Agency.

The One Show team will verify your application within 1-2 business days.

NOTE:
The team may reach out to your office for more information or with questions prior to approval. Companies are subject to application denial if sufficient information is not provided on request.

Accounts must be approved before creating an entry in an Indie category.


Entering the Indies

Deadlines & Fees

Regular Deadline
January 23, 2026
$475

Final Deadline
February 20, 2026
$525

No Extensions

Indie Entries

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

Each company may enter no more than ten (10) total entries into the Indies.

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


One Show Categories

Indie work can also be entered into other One Show categories at a reduced Indie fee.
One Show Categories
One Show Fees

NOTE:
Approved Indie Agencies may enter One Show categories at a 20% reduced rate from that category's fee at the time of entry.

Categories



ELIGIBILITY
Project must have launched between January 1, 2025 – February 20, 2026.

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)
  • 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)



ID_01
Branded Content
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of work created by an indie agency in which the brand is incorporated into the story and goes beyond traditional product placement or sponsorship.
NOTE: For content videos longer than 5 minutes, The One Show reserves the right to stop the video at the 5-minute mark.
Enter this Category

ID_02
Experiential / Immersive / Events
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of brand experiences created by an indie agency that engage an audience within a physical or digital environment.
Enter this Category

ID_03
Brand Identity
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-10) of elements of an identity system created by an indie agency. Includes logo, business cards, stationery, branding guidelines, prospectus, etc.
Enter this Category

ID_04
Creative Effectiveness
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-10) of bold creative work created by an indie agency that produced measurable impact in meeting defined business objectives and played a key role in achieving a brand's purpose.
NOTE: Work entered in this category must be published or aired between January 1, 2024 – February 20, 2026.
Enter this Category

ID_05
Design
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

The aesthetics of a single (1) or series (2-10) of work created by an indie agency.
Enter this Category

ID_06
Products
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of commercially available physical and/or digital products created by an indie agency.
Enter this Category

ID_07
Direct Marketing
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of targeted physical or digital communications created by an indie agency. Must have a clear target group, with a call to action, and defined results.
NOTE: Non-broadcast videos should be entered in categories ID_01: Branded Content and ID_08: Film & Video.
NOTE: Entries must define the target audience of the project.
Enter this Category

ID_08
Film & Video
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of broadcast, online or non-broadcast videos created by an indie agency.
NOTE: For content videos longer than 3 minutes, The One Show reserves the right to stop the video at the 3-minute mark.
Enter this Category

ID_09
Health & Wellness / Pharma
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-10) of work created by an indie agency to promote a Health & Wellness / Pharma brand, product, service, or message.
Enter this Category

ID_10
Online & Mobile
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

The use of a single (1) or series (2-5) of websites, microsites, or mobile applications created by an indie agency as a tool for engagement with the brand.
Enter this Category

ID_11
Social Media & Creator Content
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-10) of work created by an indie agency that leverages the power of social platforms to communicate the brand's message and engage its targeted audience.
NOTE: Entries must provide the social platform(s) used.
Enter this Category

ID_12
Print & Out of Home
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-10) of traditional print or out-of-home advertising created by an indie agency. Includes newspaper or magazine advertisements, billboards, posters, vehicle wraps, transit, point-of-purchase displays, etc.
Enter this Category

ID_13
Public Relations
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of PR-led campaigns, programs and tactics created by an indie agency.
Enter this Category

ID_14
Radio, Audio & Podcasts
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of radio and audio advertising created by an indie agency.
Enter this Category

ID_15
Integrated / Omnichannel Campaign
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A fully integrated campaign created by an indie agency consisting of 3-10 elements, executed in at least 3 mediums. Mediums can include, but are not limited to, television, print, online, out-of-home, or radio.
NOTE: Project videos should include at least 3 different mediums in the campaign.
Enter this Category

ID_16
Campaigns for Good
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-10) of work created by an indie agency in which brand ideas created a positive change by addressing a pressing social, environmental, or cultural challenge and that benefits a larger purpose than the brand.
Enter this Category

ID_17
Craft - Use of Humor
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of work created by an indie agency that leverage humor as a creative tool.
Enter this Category

ID_18
Craft - Art Direction
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

Communication of the overall visual appearance of a single (1) or series (2-5) of work created by an indie agency.
Enter this Category

ID_19
Craft - Writing
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

Writing in a single (1) or series (2-5) of work created by an indie agency.
Enter this Category

ID_20
Craft - Typography
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

Use of typography within a single (1) or series (2-10) of work created by an indie agency. Can be a stand-alone work or incorporated into a larger layout.
Enter this Category

ID_21
Craft - Illustration
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

Illustration within a single (1) or series (2-10) of work created by an indie agency. Can be a stand-alone work or incorporated into a larger design.
Enter this Category

ID_22
Craft - Animation / Motion Design
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

Animation within a single (1) or series (2-10) of work created by an indie agency. Can be a stand-alone work or incorporated into a larger design.
Enter this Category

ID_23
Craft - Editing
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

Editing of a single (1) or series (2-5) of commercial spots or branded content videos created by an indie agency. Includes television, cinema, digital games, or online.
Enter this Category

ID_24
Craft - Cinematography
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

Cinematography of a single (1) or series (2-5) of commercial spots or branded content videos created by an indie agency. Includes television, cinema, digital games, or online.
Enter this Category

ID_25
Craft - Sound Design & Music
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

The creation and application of sounds which accentuate, highlight, and score moments and movements in a single (1) or series (2-5) of work created by an indie agency in any medium for a brand, product, service, or message. Includes television, cinema, experiential, out of home, radio, online, etc.
Enter this Category

ID_26
Craft - Photography
Regular Deadline Fee: $475.00

Photography within a single (1) or series (2-10) of work created by an indie agency. Can be a stand-alone work or incorporated into a larger design.
NOTE: Altered photographs may be entered, but added elements such as typography or illustration will not be considered.
Enter this Category