The 2023 Sponsorship Marketing Awards were held last week, recognizing and rewarding the investment and work that brands and agencies put into their sponsorship marketing efforts across Canada in the past year.
Scotiabank’s “The Hockey Jersey” campaign, with media by PHD, took home the Best in Show, as well as several Gold across many categories.
Vancouver-based independent agency Wasserman took home the Agency of the Year title, with media agencies Essence (“OLG Game Plan,” “Practice with a Pro”), GroupM (“Practice with a Pro,” “OLG Game Plan”), PHD (“The Hockey Jersey”), and MKTG (Subway and Scottie Barnes) also recieving recognition for their work in the sponsorship space.
Below are this year’s winners.
ARTS & CULTURE
Gold: The Hockey Jersey (Scotiabank, PHD, Rethink)
Award of Distinction: Sprite FAM Zone (MLSE)
BEST NEW INITIATIVE
Gold: Hilton on the Green (Golf Canada)
Award of Distinction: Her Cheklist (Canadian Tire)
BEST NEW INNOVATION
Award of Distinction: OLG Game Plan (Essence, Group M Mediacom, and OLG)
EVENTS & FESTIVALS
Gold: Toronto Ultra Major III, Powered by Bell: Canada’s First Call of Duty League Event (Overactive Media)
Award of Distinction: RBC Canadian Open (RBC and Golf Canada)
MUSIC
Gold: RBCxMusic – 2022 Music Festivals Activation (RBC)
Award of Distinction: Kids Help Phone: Feel Out Loud (Kids Help Phone and Kids Help Phone and Paquin Entertainment)
PURPOSE-LED SPONSORSHIP
Gold: Tim Hortons and Special Olympics Donut Campaign (Special Olympics)
Award of Distinction: Treat Accessibility (Canadian Tire)
REGIONAL
Gold: Giuseppe – Practice with a Pro (Essence / Group M)
Award of Distinction: Au cœur de nos célébrations Program (CIBC and Montreal Canadians)
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Gold: The Hockey Jersey (Scotiabank, PHD, Rethink)
Award of Distinction: NBA Creators presented by Microsoft (NBA Canada)
SPORTS – BUDGET $500K and BELOW
Gold: Au cœur de nos célébrations Program (CIBC and Montreal Canadians)
Award of Distinction: Jumpstart Keep Her In Play Campaign (Canadian Tire)
SPORTS – BUDGET OVER $501K
Gold: Subway Canada x NBA Canada x Toronto Raptors x Scottie Barnes (MKTG, Subway, and NBA Canada)
Award of Distinction: theScore Bet Skyline Seats – 2022 RBC Canadian Open (SDI Sports and theScore)
SUSTAINED SUCCESS
Gold: Air Canada Fan Flight (Wasserman)
Award of Distinction: CPKC Women’s Open (Wasserman)
TALENT OR AMBASSADOR
Gold: Mitch’s Dishes (Skip the Dishes and Wasserman)
Award of Distinction: Subway Canada x Scottie Barnes (MKTG and Subway)
PROPERTY OF THE YEAR
Gold: Golf Canada Professional Championships (Golf Canada)
AGENCY OF THE YEAR
Gold: Wasserman
BEST IN SHOW
Gold: The Hockey Jersey (Scotiabank, PHD, Rethink)