Independent agencies made up the largest share of submissions this year, accounting for 51% of all entries, while network agencies contributed the remaining 49%. The Omni-Channel Drum was the leading section by number of entries, followed by the One-Channel Drum.

Submissions from 30 countries were evaluated by a distinguished panel of 51 international jurors across six competition sections: One-Channel, Omni-Channel, Craft Drum, Creative Media Excellence, Creative Business Excellence, and the special All Juries Section.

Compared to last year, the Young Drummers Competition saw a 12% increase in participation, bringing together young creatives from 15 countries. This year’s challenge invited emerging talents from around the world to respond to the brief “World. One Tap Away.” with their most creative ideas and a poster or poster series. Supported by Mastercard Slovenia, the competition celebrates fresh perspectives and the next generation of creative talent.

AWARD SHOW

The Golden Drum Festival will put this year’s most outstanding creative achievements centre stage. During the daytime programme, the Bronze and Silver Awards Announcement, will be revealed, building up to the festival’s grand finale – the Awards Show, powered by Mastercard, at the closing gala on 13 October.

The evening will see some of Golden Drum’s most prestigious honours take the spotlight, including the UNFPA Inclusion Excellence Award, powered by UNFPA, Best of Social Good, Best of Genius Loci and the worldwide Game Changer Award, supported by Telemach Slovenia. 

The celebration will also recognise the agencies that have made their mark this year. The titles of Adriatic Agency of the Year, supported by Zavarovalnica Triglav, Independent Agency of the Year, supported by NLB and Agency of the Year will be presented alongside Production Agency of the Year, Media Agency of the Year and the Brand Grand Prix.

The spotlight will then turn to the people and networks behind exceptional creative work, with the announcement of Creative Director of the Year and the Network of the Year.

The evening will also mark a special moment in Golden Drum history as Mihnea Gheorghiu, Global Chief Creative Officer at LePub Network, is welcomed as the newest member of the Golden Drum Hall of Fame.