It’s been another fantastic year for our regular ‘ad of the month’ feature in 2024, culminating in our first ever ‘ad of the year’ Newsworks Award going to OMD UK and British Gas for their fantastic ‘Trunks Hung Up’ campaign celebrating the career of OIympic diver Tom Daley. But while OMD UK and British Gas took the ultimate crown in our public vote, the competition was tight all year long — take a look at our full roll call of fantastic shortlisted ads from every poll in 2024…
January
January’s shortlist of top campaigns takes various news brand formats to the next level, whether that’s augmented reality integrated into brand partnerships, perfectly placed contextual campaigns or topical tactical ads.
2024 opened with a bang, taking various news brand formats to the next level. We saw perfectly placed contextual campaigns and topical tactical, but it was augmented reality integrated into a brilliant brand partnership that saw Smart Energy GB and T&Pm take the first ‘ad of the month’ of the year.
February
Longer days were still a while off but February was a particularly bright month for news brand campaigns. There was something for everyone on the shortlist, with multiplatform brand partnerships squaring up to sponsored pullouts, innovative cover wraps and some classic clever creative. In the end, The Specialist Works and Auto Trader beat the rest to the chequered flag and took top spot in the poll.
March
Spring truly sprung in March, with that month’s shortlist embracing the change of season with plenty of events and summer days to come. One ad, however, helped readers enjoy a timeless snack without any spine-tingling slurping — Mindshare UK and Pot Noodle was named March’s ‘ad of the month’.
April
The solstice might have been two months away but in April’s shortlist, summertime was truly a funner time. That month’s shortlist got readers in the mood for a knees up, whether that was celebrating at the 18th hole, dressing up to the nines or doubling up on great deals. Voters chose Starcom and Samsung’s bubbly full-page ad spotlighting the mobile phone brand’s new Galaxy AI as their ‘ad of the month’.
May
From knees ups to packing up, May’s shortlist hit the road and headed out for readers’ next big adventure, whether in search of exotic wildlife, inner peace or the latest thriller from the comfort of their sofa. In the end, it was comfort our voters went for with their winner, indulging in the7stars and Cadbury’s scrumptious digital wrap for its ice cream.
June
June turned out to be a particularly newsworthy month, which was reflected in a shortlist brimming with top tactical. Popular campaigns gave the lowdown on the evening’s big Euros match, offered a genius last-minute idea for Father’s Day presents and used election coverage to raise awareness of important issues. However, warmer climes won out, with Wavemaker Manchester and Jet2Holidays taking top spot with its chic brand partnership.
July & August
July and August saw some absolute blockbusters, celebrating the very best of the great British summer. In the end, it was OMD UK and British Gas honouring the career of Tom Daley that took the title of ‘ad of the summer’, going on to be voted the ultimate ‘ad of the year’ at the Newsworks Awards in December.
September
As autumn drew in and readers returned from summer holidays, September’s shortlist celebrated our communities and helping to improve the lives of those around us. That month’s winner was Total Media and Hamptons, helping readers to get on the property ladder with its eye-catching crossword print ad.
October
October’s shortlist might have been our last monthly vote of the year but our eight ads were in non mood to slow down. A flick through the swashbuckling finalists took readers on the run (in fetching footwear), on a meeting with Thelma and Louise and to every corner of the world with their business. Our winner took the adventure closer to home, however — Dentsu X and B&Q’s brilliant active wrap was named Newsworks’ final ‘ad of the month’ in 2024.
