Enter The 2025 Awards
Submission deadline
Midnight, Tuesday 26 August 2025
Shortlist announced
Friday 19 September 2025
Awards Cermeony
Saturday 18 October 2025
DEADLINE COUNTDOWN
Submission Categories with Judging Criteria
All entries will be judged by a panel of experienced, independent judges from outside Northern Ireland.
Entries must relate to work carried out between 1st July 2024 – 30th June 2025.
The panel is made up of digital leads, brand strategists, content specialists, and social media experts with experience across the private, public and third sectors.
Judges will score each submission against four weighted criteria:
- Strategy & Objectives (25%)
- Creativity & Execution (25%)
- Engagement & Community Impact (25%)
- Results & Measurable Impact (25%)
Key Dates
- Entry Deadline: Midnight, Tuesday, 26th August 2025 (No extensions will be granted)
- Finalists Announced: Friday, 19th September 2025
- Awards Gala: Saturday, 18th October 2025, at the Europa Hotel, Belfast, 6.30pm
Rules & Eligibility
- The awards are open to businesses, brands, freelancers, agencies, public sector bodies, and individuals delivering exceptional social media marketing in Ireland.
- Entries must relate to work carried out between 1st July 2024 – 30th June 2025.
- Entrants can submit multiple entries across different categories.
- Entries should demonstrate creativity, measurable results, and innovative use of social media. Judges will look for evidence of engagement, impact, and return on investment.
- Entries must be submitted by midnight on Tuesday, 26th August 2025.
- Submissions should include supporting evidence, such as analytics, campaign metrics, screenshots, or testimonials where possible.
- For any questions about eligibility or the entry process, please contact our team in advance of the deadline.
BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
This award celebrates outstanding use of social media to inform, inspire, entertain or drive results. Whether you’ve used social platforms to raise awareness, support a cause, drive sales, or build a community, this category is for you. Show us how your social media activity has made an impact and how your audience responded.
INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM OF THE YEAR
Behind every great campaign or account is the person or people who made it happen. This category shines a spotlight on the digital marketers, freelancers, creators or in-house teams driving real results through social. Recognise your own efforts or nominate someone whose passion and performance deserve applause.
BEST SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
This section honours the most innovative and impactful social media campaigns. Whether your campaign has driven significant awareness, engaged a wide audience, or achieved exceptional results, we want to celebrate your creativity and strategic brilliance. Enter now to showcase your successful campaign and gain the recognition you deserve for making a mark in the world of social media.
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM
This category recognises a business, brand or organisation that has truly mastered a single platform – whether it’s TikTok, Instagram or Facebook. We’re looking for standout content, consistent performance, and a clear understanding of how to engage effectively on that platform. Tell us how you’ve grown, connected and succeeded.
OVERALL SOCIAL MEDIA EXCELLENCE
These awards are not open for entry. They are judged across all submissions and selected solely by the judging panel to highlight outstanding achievements in the Northern Ireland digital space.
Rising Brand of the Year
Awarded to a brand that has shown remarkable growth through strategic and creative use of social media. Judges will consider standout progress in engagement, reach and visibility across the year.
Best Overall Use of Social Media
This accolade is given to the entrant who demonstrates all-round excellence in social media – across strategy, creativity, execution and measurable impact. It is not open for public entry and is awarded at the judges’ discretion.
Judges’ Choice Award
A special award presented to an individual or brand that made a unique, meaningful impact through social media in the past year. This winner is hand-picked by the judges in recognition of creativity, resilience or influence.
Best Overall Use of Social Media
Judges’ Choice Award
Rising Brand of the Year
Influencer/Content Creator of the year
Nomination-Only Categories with Public Voting
These categories celebrate outstanding content creators nominated by the public. Finalists are chosen based on the highest number of verified public nominations before moving to a public vote. This ensures nominees reflect genuine audience support and connection.The process highlights creators who have made a significant impact through their originality, creativity, and ability to engage and inspire communities online.
Key Dates for Nominations & Voting:
• Nominations open: Monday 7 July 2025 (9:00am)
• Nominations close: Sunday 3 August 2025 (11:59pm)
• Top 10 public vote finalists announced: Tuesday 5 August 2025
• Public voting on finalists opens: Tuesday 5 August 2025
• Public voting closes: Sunday 7 September 2025 (11:59pm)
• Final 5 announced across all categories: Friday 19 September 2025
ENQUIRE ABOUT SPONSORSHIP
Fill in the form and our team will be in touch to help you secure your category sponsorship. Let’s make your brand the star of the biggest night in Northern Ireland’s social media calendar!
Partnering with the NI Social Media Awards gives you access to unparalleled exposure, VIP networking, and a chance to put your brand in front of thousands online and hundreds of industry leaders on the night.
- +44 7737 122 955
- awards@nisocialmediaawards.com
Get In Touch
Contact us for more information about the awards, entry requirements or the event. Please fill in the form or give us a call.
- 07737122955
- awards@nisocialmediaawards.com
