2026 Partner Awards: Nominations are open

Award Season is here! Nominations are now open for the Microsoft Advertising Partner Awards and will close on July 15, 2026. Now in its eleventh year, the awards continue to celebrate the exceptional achievements of our Elite and Select tier^* partners around the world.

2026 award categories

Our award categories are designed to reflect the depth and breadth of Microsoft Advertising’s solutions as well as shine a spotlight on the innovative and performance-driven work of our partners worldwide. The categories open for nomination this year are:

Creative AI Innovation Award

Recognizes a partner and their client that has used Microsoft-powered AI—including generative AI/intelligent agents—to enhance creative development, personalization, and customer experience.

Data Integration Excellence Award

Awarded to a partner that delivers creative, scalable solutions using data and signals to drive successful campaign outcomes.

Emerging Markets Growth Award

Awarded to an Agency or Channel Partner and their client based in an emerging market, that has demonstrated outstanding partnership with Microsoft Advertising over the past year.

Gaming Excellence Award

Recognizes a partner and their client that deepened brand engagement through gaming by harnessing Microsoft solutions—including Xbox, King, and Microsoft Casual Games—to connect with audiences across immersive mobile, console, and PC experiences.

Omnichannel Performance Partner of the Year

Recognizes a partner and their client that has delivered measurable business outcomes through integrated campaigns spanning Search, Audience, Video, and Gaming.

Performance AI Innovation Award

Honors a partner and their client that has applied Microsoft AI—including Copilot and the Microsoft Advertising platform—to strengthen campaign strategy, execution, and optimization.

Rising Partner of the Year

Celebrates a Select tier partner that has achieved sustained business growth with Microsoft Advertising by driving measurable performance outcomes across revenue expansion, feature adoption, and successful client onboarding and retention.

Search Performance Partner of the Year

Recognizes a partner and their client that has demonstrated exceptional ability to create, capture, and convert intent and consumer demand through AI-driven optimization and innovative use of Microsoft Advertising Search solutions.

Trailblazer of the Year

Recognizes an individual who leads the way in championing Microsoft Advertising by creatively evangelizing its value, inspiring internal teams, and shaping industry perception through thought leadership and influence while driving AI adoption and acting as a Copilot champion to unlock new levels of performance and innovation.

Categories may vary slightly by region. Detailed category descriptions and eligibility requirements are available at MicrosoftAdvertisingAwards.com and in the nomination tool. Agency, Channel, and Curator Partner of the Year are awarded based on submissions in other categories and aren’t open for standalone nominations.

Submit your nominations now

If you’re an Elite or Select Partner, submit your nominations by Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. The recognition period will include work from July 2025 till July 2026.

Finalists will be announced in September 2026 on the Microsoft Advertising blog. Regional award winners will be announced live during in-person events in late 2026.

We’re eager and excited to hear about the impactful work our partners have accomplished with us over the past year.