ADC Switzerland opens Call for Entries for 50th Anniversary Awards

ADC Switzerland has opened the Call for Entries for the ADC Awards 2026. This is the 50th edition of the competition, which is regarded as Switzerland's toughest creative currency. Work can now be submitted in 22 categories. The deadline for submissions is April 15, 2026, and works conceived in Switzerland between January 1, 2025 and February 28, 2026 and published in Switzerland or abroad will be judged.

The jury is made up of leading creatives from the communications industry as well as competent experts from the creative industry. They discuss and evaluate the submissions and define the benchmarks with their assessments. "We won't be handing out any gifts for the 50th either. We will continue to evaluate the work according to our strict criteria. But I am sure of one thing: an award in 2026 will be even more special due to the fact that it is the anniversary year. Whoever wins a cube will be remembered," says ADC President Thomas Wildberger.

Reduced fees and simplified categories

In order to make it possible for individuals to submit more entries and to put creativity above financial hurdles, ADC Switzerland is lowering the submission fee for individuals to 100 francs as a flat processing fee. This applies to creatives from all areas such as photography, illustration or freelancers in general.

Several categories have also been simplified. The "Photography" category now only has four sub-categories: "Commercial & Campaigning", "Corporate", "Editorial" and "Photo-based Illustration, Image Editing, Composing". The "Film Craft" and "Audio Craft" categories have been merged into one category to ensure an even more competent evaluation and a more meaningful jury assignment. "Radio and Audio" have also been combined into one category, where the focus is on the pure idea. The same applies to the "Film" category as a separate category.

Transparency in the use of AI

For greater transparency and fairness in the judging process, the use or deliberate non-use of AI should be disclosed in a separate supplement. The main point here is to specify how AI was used or why it was not used and why the result is so special.

The special "ADCESG" prize will again be awarded this year to work that sees the present as a call to action for a better future. ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) includes all efforts that bring about desirable changes to the environment, society and corporate governance. The requirements to qualify for the special award will be published at the beginning of March.

Category ambassadors

This year, ADC jury members will act as ambassadors for the competition in certain categories. Craft categories such as photography, design or illustration, as well as PR or editorial, will have excellent contacts and a new perspective on submissions and the competition with around ten specialists.

The ADC Call for Entries in German and French can be found at here. The submission tool is here available.