Applications are now open for "Spotify Hits 2026," an advertising creative award hosted by Spotify

Spotify, the audio streaming service used by over 761 million people worldwide, began accepting entries for its advertising creative awards, "Spotify Hits Japan 2026," on Wednesday, May 13. The deadline for submissions is Friday, July 31.

The awards will recognize outstanding campaigns that have contributed to a brand’s business growth by leveraging Spotify’s wide range of formats—including audio, video, display, and playlists—as well as the platform’s unique ability to reach people during every moment of their lives, such as while commuting, driving, or exercising.　

Based on Spotify’s platform philosophy of “unleashing human creativity,” this award celebrates the advertising expressions created by advertising creators and aims to enhance creativity across the entire industry. Now in its third year in Japan, the event continues to grow in scale year after year.

[Event Overview]
Name: Spotify Hits Japan 2026
Submission Period Begins: Wednesday, May 13
Submission Deadline: Friday, July 31, 23:59
Awards Ceremony: Mid-November (tentative)
Eligibility: All companies, organizations, and advertising agencies that have utilized Spotify for marketing (free to enter)

■ Click here for the application site

[Key Dates]
May 13 (Wed) Application period begins
Early June: Announcement of Future Hitmakers challenge
July 31 (Fri) Application Deadline / Official Selection Announced
Mid-August: First Round of Judging
September 11 (Fri) Presentations and Final Judging
Mid-November: Awards Ceremony

[Entry Categories]
This award consists of three categories for campaigns with a track record of ad placements (*) and one open category for ideas.
*Eligible campaigns must have run Spotify ads targeting the Japanese market by July 31, 2026.
Mic Drop (Grand Prix)
The top prize awarded to the most outstanding campaign overall
Seized the Moment Category
Campaigns that captured a specific moment and engaged users through a creative approach
Ear Candy Category
Audio campaigns that utilized techniques unique to audio to deliver the most immersive experience
For the Fans Category
Campaigns that effectively engaged fans of artists and creators on Spotify through outstanding audience strategies
Future Hitmakers Category
Creative campaign ideas that address brand challenges and are only possible on Spotify
*The Future Hitmakers category is open to residents of Japan aged 30 or younger. There are no restrictions on affiliation or job title. Both individuals and teams may apply.
*The themes and brands for Future Hitmakers will be announced in early June.

[Prize Details]
・Presentation of a trophy
・Invitations to various events, including the awards ceremony and networking reception
・Media exposure through the award campaign
・Gift of exclusive Spotify Hits merchandise
・Digital assets for social media posting
・Launch of actual advertising campaigns using the winning ideas (for Future Hitmakers award-winning entries)

[Judges (titles omitted, listed in alphabetical order)]
Ayumi Uesaka (Poet and Writer)
Yohei Kuriiwa (Deputy General Manager, Communication Design Department, Asahi Breweries)
Yusuke Sato (Creative Director / CM Planner, Dentsu Inc.)
Koichiro Shima (Executive Officer, Hakuhodo)
Maya Nishitani (Marketing Director, Visa Worldwide Japan)
Shohei Hashimoto (Head of Creative Strategy, Advertising Division, Spotify Japan)
*The corporate representatives serving as judges for the Future Hitmakers idea contest are scheduled to be announced in early June.

[Contact]
japan-spotify-hits@spotify.com