Frequently Asked Questions
Entries FAQ:
Where do I submit entries and how do I create an account?
All submissions will be entered on Awards Force. Create an account to submit your entries.
CMA Awards Entry Deadlines 2025
Early-Bird Deadline | June 12, 2025 @ 1 PM ET
Regular Deadline | July 03, 2025 @ 1 PM ET
Final Deadline | July 17, 2025 @ 1 PM ET
Extension | July 22, 2025 @ 5 PM ET
Deadline Extension Fees
The final deadline to submit is July 22, 2025. To request an extension please contact awards@thecma.ca prior to July 22.
Why are there multiple deadline dates?
CMA encourages submitting entries early by offering multiple deadlines with increasing entry fee rates. The early–bird deadline offers the lowest entry fee. Entry fees are increased for the final deadline with pricing surcharge for non–member taking effect in the last few days.
How do I know if I’m a CMA member?
CMA membership is assigned to companies. Therefore, if your organization is a CMA member, you are a CMA member. Find out if you/your organization is a CMA member by viewing the member directory.
What is the cancellation/refund policy for entries submitted?
Refunds can be made only if written notification of the entrant’s wish to withdraw their entries reaches the CMA office before June 21. Refunds made up until this date will be subject to a $95 administrative cancellation fee. No refunds will be
considered by the CMA after June 21, regardless of any extension to the entries deadline. Entries can only be cancelled by the CMA and cannot be cancelled or removed from the CMA Awards in any way after June 21.
What are the dates for campaign eligibility for 2025?
Your campaign must have results tabulated between December 1, 2023 and June 1, 2025. Entries containing results tabulated after June 1, 2025 may be disqualified at the discretion of the judging committee and CMA. CMA is not responsible for any entrant submission error. The decision of the judging committee and CMA is final.
What is the criteria for submitting an entry?
Criteria for different disciplines and categories can be accessed through the entry form in Awards Force. Please note that there is a character limit (that includes spaces).
How many creative files will be accepted?
A maximum of 6 supporting files will be accepted. Attachments are optional (including videos) and the maximum file size for any upload is 1GB and no longer than 2 minutes in duration. If a PDF is submitted with multiple creative elements, each creative
element is counted as 1 attachment. The following file formats accepted are mpg, mov, mp3, pdf, jpeg, and the website URL.
My campaign ran in the US, is it still eligible?
Campaigns that ran in Canada or campaigns that ran in other markets but were developed by Canadian marketers for Canadian clients are eligible for entry. CMA reserves the right to reassign the entry discipline or category at any time.
Who can help me decide which category my campaign should be submitted into?
Contact awards@thecma.ca for assistance in determining into which category(s) your campaign should be entered. We are happy to help!
Why is my text cut off in one or more of the boxes for campaign details?
Each section contains a maximum character count.
When will I find out if my submission has been shortlisted?
Notifications will be emailed to the individual listed as the contact person for each entry that is shortlisted by early September.
PayPal won’t accept or process my credit card. Who do I contact for assistance?
If you are having difficulties processing payment through our PayPal account online, please contact awards@thecma.ca.
I can’t upload my supporting documents. Who do I contact?
Please contact Award Force technical support at support@awardforce.com.
How do I enter the Special Awards? What is the entry fee?
The Special Awards are free to enter. Please review the requirements carefully to ensure your entry is eligible.
How do I nominate someone for the Marketer of the Year Award or Lifetime Achievement Award? What is the entry fee?
The Marketer of the Year or Lifetime Achievement Award is free to enter. Please review the requirements carefully to ensure your entry is eligible.
As a condition of eligibility, the Entrant represents and warrants that the submitted work complies with all applicable laws, including Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and provincial privacy legislation.
This includes, without limitation:
- Informed, Affirmative Consent: Each identifiable individual (or their parent/legal guardian, if applicable) whose image, likeness, voice, or persona appears in the work provided informed, affirmative consent for the specific use of their depiction in the campaign and in its submission for this Awards Program. This consent was obtained prior to the individual's inclusion in the work.
- Minors: For any individual who was under the age of majority in their province or territory of residence at the time of content creation, verifiable written consent was obtained from their parent or legal guardian.
- Synthetic and AI-Generated Media: If the work includes AI-generated or synthetic media depicting real individuals, the Entrant warrants that it has secured explicit consent from those individuals for the creation and use of their synthetic likeness, along with any other required consents, and that it has complied with the terms of service of any tools used to create the materials.
- User-Generated Content and Third-Party Creators: For campaigns involving user-generated content or third-party creators (including influencers), the Entrant has binding agreements in place permitting use of relevant content that flow down all consent and compliance obligations.
- Intellectual Property Rights: All sounds, songs, music, and other third-party intellectual property used in the campaigns have been properly licensed or cleared for use in the submitted work.
- Documentation: The Entrant agrees to retain documentation evidencing all required consents and rights clearances for a period of three (3) years from the submission date and will provide such documentation to the Awards Program upon request within five (5) business days.
