Announcing the 2021 #Hashtag Award Winners

2020 was no easy feat.

In the midst of a global pandemic, we were forced to watch our industry go on pause. We saw the loss of business, colleagues, and growing fear across the world.

Yet, in the middle of a crisis, we saw hope. We saw our colleagues stand up and create engaging campaigns that brought joy to communities across the country. We witnessed charity, collaboration, and a commitment to diversity, unlike anything we have seen before.

This year, the #Hashtag Awards proudly hosted the most diverse panel of jurors a Canadian marketing award show has ever seen. With more than half of the panel comprised of women and representation from the entire BIPOC community, we are here to show the industry as it is; as it will always be.

That being said, the work is not done yet. It is our duty to continue striving for change and inclusion. As juror William Jonhson said, “Marketers create culture, and through their work and the conversations they spark, they have the power to push society forward.”

The winners of the 2021 #Hashtag Awards have shown they have what it takes to do just this. They have shown their commitment, not only to their craft but to the world at large. From jaw-dropping creative campaigns that made waves on a national scale, to diversity & inclusion initiatives that held brands accountable, this group of talent is going to change our industry forever.

Here are your 2021 #Hashtag Award Winners

Best Social Media Campaign

Winner: Libro Credit Union

Runner Up: The City of Calgary

Best Use of Social Media (Business)

Winner: Sky Alphabet

Best Use of Social Media (Non-Profit)

Winner: UpHouse & the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba

Runner Up: Harvey McKinnon Associates

Agency of the Year

Winner: Thinkingbox

Brand of the Year

Winner: RNDSQR

Best PR Campaign

Winner: SMC Communications

Runner Up: AM/FM Inc.

Best Communications Campaign

Winner: Yulu PR

Runner Up 1: Partners and Hawes Marketing Consulting Inc.

Runner Up 2: Hippie Snacks

Best SEO Marketing

Winner: DDB Canada

Podcast Award

Winner: ATB Financial

Best Marketing Campaign - Non-Profit, Foundation or Charity

Winner: Science World

Runner Up 1: DDB Canada

Runner Up 2: Acts for Water

Best in Show for Small Agency 2-5

Winner: Front and Centre Communications Inc.

Runner Up 1: Partners and Hawes Marketing Consulting Inc.

Runner Up 2: Worthington PR and Story

Best in Show for Medium Agency 6-20

Winner: UpHouse

Runner Up 1: Periphery Digital

Runner Up 2: Anchor Marketing Inc.

Best in Show for Large Agency 21+

Winner: DDB Canada

Best in Show for Individual Marketer

Winner: Bill Morrison at Newterra Marketing Consulting

Marketing Leadership Award

Winner: Conner Galway at Junction Consulting

Best SAAS for Marketers

Winner: Function Point Productivity Software, Inc.

Runner Up: Creator (formerly Shop and Shout)

Best Reporting Software

Winner: DashThis

Best Digital Ads Campaign

Winner: Periphery Digital

Best Integrated Campaign - Integrating Radio, TV & Digital

Winner: Calgary Co-op

Best Integrated Campaign - Integrating OOH, Print & Digital

Winner: SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)

Best Direct Mail Campaign

Winner: Anchor Marketing Inc.

Best Campaign with Creators

Winner: Creator (formerly Shop and Shout)

Runner Up: ATB Financial

Creator Award

Winner: Matthew & Karla Bailey at Must Do Canada

Best Email Campaign

Winner: FOUR20

Web Project of the Year (Less than 10 pages)

Winner: Forge and Smith

Web Project of the Year (More than 10 pages)

Winner: SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)

Really Nice Award

Winner: SMC Communications

Runner Up 1: Libro Credit Union

Runner Up 2: ATB Financial

Ad of the Year

Winner: AM/FM Inc.

Diversity & Inclusion

Winner: Unbounce

Runner Up 1: SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)

Runner Up 2: #HealthNotHate Collective

BIPOC Marketing & Communications Leader

Winner: Hannah Lim, Marketing & Creative Director at Netcoins Inc.

Runner Up 1: Tammy Tsang from AndHumanity, Inclusive Marketing Agency

Runner Up 2: Daryl Louie

Best Marketing E-Newsletters in Canada

Winner: Junction Consulting

Female Leader Award

Winner: Lori Hatcher, Head of Marketing for Truss Beverage Co.

We’d like to thank our entire jury panel for their thoughtful and deliberate work with this year’s submissions. Special thanks to, Cybele Negris, Darian Kovacs, Mike Morrison, Frank Palmer, William Johnson, Rashel Hariri, Bianca Bujan, Vladimir Taikov, Crystal Kwon, Antoine Bonicalzi, Krystal Taing, Tony Chapman, Vicki Laszlo, Richard Wong, Dena Blevins, Britney Muller, and Alicia Haque.

Want to be on this list next year? The 2021 #Hashtag Awards will be here before you know it. In the meantime, stay up-to-date with Marketing News Canada to hear about new opportunities and events coming your way.

Written by Hannah Macready