Categories
General Categories
Podcast Episode of the Year
Recognizing a single episode of an ongoing or limited-run podcast. The episode should illustrate ambitious storytelling, excellence in production and innovation within the podcast medium.
Podcast Producer of the Year
Recognizing a consummately reliable, organized and proactive producer who serves as the logistical backbone and sanity protector for any ongoing or limited-run podcast.
Podcast Editor of the Year
Recognizing an editor who enhances and invigorates storytelling through subtle and thoughtful editing on any ongoing or limited-run podcast.
Podcast Host of the Year
Recognizing a host or consistent hosting panel who bring unique personality, insight and engagement to any ongoing or limited-run podcast. Ideal candidates will be reflective of how podcast storytelling remains fresh through constant evolution.
Podcast Executive of the Year
Recognizing a senior leader dedicated to podcast oversight within an organization, whether it is a company focused on audio content or one that produces podcasts as a secondary priority. This executive should show a track record of constant innovation, decisive leadership and excellent team building.
Podcast Network of the Year
Recognizing an organization that produces and/or hosts more than three distinct podcasts. Ideal honorees are networks that support their podcasts through a blend of marketing, investment, collaboration and innovative digital tools.
Podcast Innovator of the Year
Recognizing a strategic visionary who brings bold new ideas, technical invention and cultural awareness to the podcasts with which they are affiliated. This honoree can be someone helping advance the medium through any number of roles, whether through corporate leadership, product innovation or storytelling.
Best Technology Podcast
Recognizing a podcast that elevates technology coverage beyond the traditional gadget discussion and engages audiences of all experience levels through a blend of insight, approachability and personality.
Best Branded Podcast
Recognizing the best in audio storytelling or thought leadership through a podcast created by or for a specific brand. Key factors include audio quality, unique value for listeners, engaging narratives and measurable business results.
Best Innovation Podcast
Recognizing a podcast that looks at innovation through any lens—business, society, culture, technology, science, etc.—in a way that's compelling, creative and clear.
Best Agency-Hosted Podcast
Recognizing an exceptional podcast developed and hosted by a multi-person agency (creative, strategy, consulting, media or otherwise).
Best TV and Streaming Podcast
Recognizing an ongoing or limited-run podcast focused on either the TV/streaming industries or a specific program. Key factors include professional insight, expertise, and a demonstrated range of topics within the core theme.
Best Podcast Making a Societal Impact (Free to enter)
Recognizing a podcast that advances issues such as diversity, inclusion, gender balance, acceptance and advocacy through insightful commentary, fresh perspectives and strong awareness of the industries being discussed.
Best Entrepreneurship Podcast
Recognizing a podcast that empowers and emboldens listeners to pursue their dreams of owning a business while also offering dependable advice on making each venture a success. Key factors include host experience, practical tips and a tone that balances realism with inspiration.
Best Creativity Podcast
Recognizing a podcast that fans the flames of creativity, invigorating professionals in industries such as art, advertising and music to explore new ideas and approaches.
Best Podcast Event
Recognizing a live, in-person event directly connected to a podcast, either in the form of a live recording, a pop-up activation or a destination event such as a festival. Key factors include originality, fan engagement and relevance of the event tie-in to the podcast.
Best Podcast Platform
Recognizing an industry-leading platform tied to a podcast, podcast network or podcast-centric service. Key factors include user experience design and innovative features that amplify the podcast experience.
Podcast Interview of the Year
Recognizing the most insightful podcast interview conducted in the past year. Key factors include audio quality, range of guests, interview quality and topical focus.
Emerging Podcast Star
Podcast of the Year [Drawn from Winners in Other Categories]
This "Best in Show" honor is awarded by the jurors, in partnership with Adweek's newsroom leaders, to the podcast determined to be the year's most exceptional among top honorees in all other categories. Entries cannot be submitted specifically into this category.
Best of..
Best Marketing Podcast
Recognizing a bold and thought-provoking podcast that focuses on the marketing industry, whether through trend analysis, interviews or other storytelling approaches.
Best New Podcast
Recognizing a compelling, high-quality and engaging new podcast launched since January 2021.
Best True Crime Podcast
Honoring an ongoing or limited-run podcast dedicated to true crime and bringing new dimensions of storytelling to this popular niche.
Best Podcast Growth/Marketing Strategy
Recognizing the podcast to most strategically grow its listener community to reach new levels using different engagement techniques.
Best B2B Podcast
Recognizing a podcast that covers business focused insights
Best Storytelling Podcast
Honoring an ongoing or limited-run podcast that's focused on narrative storytelling, either based in nonfiction, fiction or a blend of the two. While this category is open to shows focused on any topic, aspects such as structure, presentation and sound engineering are key.
Best Pop Culture Podcast
If your podcast focuses on celebrities, music, cultural trends, fashion or other related topics about popular culture, this is the category for you. Judges will be looking for shows that balance entertaining presentation with insightful commentary and distinct voices.
Best Travel Podcast
Honoring a show that brings the joys, discoveries and occasional headaches of travel to listeners in a captivating way. Applicable podcasts might be narrative and personal or informative and practical, as long as they leave audiences feeling more aware of the larger world around them.
Best Sports Podcast
Whether shows are focused on a highly specific sporting niche or any teams and topics that are hot at the moment, this category celebrates sports podcasts with consistently compelling commentary and insight.>
Best Comedy Podcast
Honoring a can't-miss show with a focus on humor, even if topics and conversations might sometimes stray into areas of sincerity, emotion and heartache. Whether hosted by a comedian or telling stories through the lens of comedy, the honoree should demonstrate how comedy helps us process how we make sense of the chaotic world around us.
Best Gaming Podcast
Best Political Podcasts
