DOOH Creative Challenge 2026 is looking for the best digital out-of-home campaigns
The Institute for Digital Out of Home Media (IDOOH) has launched its sixth creative competition for digital out-of-home advertising. Agencies, companies, and up-and-coming creatives have until March 13, 2026, to submit their best DOOH campaigns. The winners will earn points toward the W&V creative ranking.
The DOOH Creative Challenge 2026 (DCC) is open: Together with a jury of renowned experts, the Institute for Digital Out of Home Media (IDOOH) is now in its sixth year of looking for DOOH campaigns that stand out through creative excellence, innovative technology and clever use of media in public spaces.
In 2026, the DCC will once again award prizes for the best ideas in five main categories: Best of DOOH Creation, Best of Crossmedia, Best Use of Data, Best of Innovative DOOH and Best of DOOH Content. Gold, silver and bronze are awarded in each category, and all winning projects also collect valuable points for W&V's creative ranking. The DCC thus remains not only a showcase for outstanding campaigns in the public space, but also a relevant factor in the competition for creative visibility.
DCC YoungSTARS category with 1 billion contacts
The "DCC YoungSTARS" category remains a special highlight. It recognizes the best young talent work with a nationwide broadcast of the campaign on participating DOOH networks worth 1 billion contacts (gross media value: EUR 9 million). There is also a cash prize of 5,000 euros, donated by Executive Channel Germany. The second and third place winners will be awarded EUR 2,000 and EUR 1,000 respectively by TV-Wartezimmer.
The submission portal is now open for agencies, companies and up-and-coming creatives until March 13, 2026. Entries submitted by December 31, 2025 will benefit from a discounted early bird rate. The award ceremony will take place on September 16, 2026.
"The DCC has become the most important indicator of creative quality in the DOOH sector," says Frank Goldberg, Managing Director of IDOOH and Chairman of the jury. "Every year, we see how diverse and powerful this medium is used - from data-driven personalization to large-scale staged stories in public spaces. And it is precisely this diversity that makes DOOH one of the most exciting playgrounds for modern brand communication."
Top-class jury
The following expert committee will put the submissions through their paces at DCC 2026: Eva Adelsgruber (DeutschlandCard), Jicky von Bechtolsheim (Ambassador of Creativity), Jo Marie Farwick (Überground), Dirk Fischer (WallDecaux), Alexander Fürthner (Weischer.OOH), Frank Goldberg (IDOOH), Christian Hahn (Deutsche Telekom), Matthias Harbeck (Saint Elmo's), Christian Helbig (Cittadino), Dimitri Herber (Warsteiner), Ralf Heuel (Grabarz & Partner), Markus Hoffmann (Mares Media), Hartwig Keuntje (Philipp und Keuntje), Thomas Knüwer (Accenture Song), Thomas Koch (tk One), Sarah von Mitzlaff (Nestlé), Nadja Parpart (JobRad), Ineke Paulsen (BVG), Julika Podracki (Rügenwalder), Christian Raveaux (REWE), Gunnar Ritzmann (ECN), Marjorieth Sanmartin (Philipp und Keuntje), Betty Schimmelpfennig (RheinMain University of Applied Sciences/Elastique), Rolf Schröter (W&V), Christian-Georg Siebke (TV-Wartezimmer), Stan Skolnik (IU International University/Open Here), Carina Specht (Bahlsen), Alexander Stotz (Ströer), Tim Stübane (THE GOODWINS), Kai-Marcus Thäsler (FAW), Holger Walsch (Planus), Frank Youssoffi (RetailFellas) and Claudia Zayer (eisbach.media).
Further information and registration: https://idooh.media/dooh-creative-challenge/
