Each year, the Cresta Awards Jury Chair gets to make a personal statement, drawing on the decisions of the jury but acting alone.
They sit down and review the winners, on which they have previously abstained from voting, leaving it to the Grand Jury votes to decide on whether a work can win an award, and what level it might reach.
From the 2026 winners, the Cresta Awards Jury Chair Kate Stanners decided on three special awards. These are for specific works. The winners are:
Sharing her thoughts on her selection, Stanners said, “I am a huge believer in the craft of work. That doesn’t necessarily mean it is painstakingly and expensively executed. It means how an idea is executed is as important as the idea itself.”
She added, “It’s the difference between getting noticed or ignored, between people spending time with the work or skipping, it’s between a fleeting flirtation or a lasting legacy.
“‘ WingSentry ’ crafted its data into a beautiful tool that has the power to make real positive change. This recognition comes on top of the 3 Gold, 3 Bronze and 7 Finalists that Horizon FCB Dubai won at the festival.
‘S heep Happens ’ for Penny supermarkets was a social campaign that went further. Its craft was its speed. A real moment, that was totally embraced by the brand, but never losing its raw, fun, authentic spirit. From a humble social post, the story ran and ran, over news, on their promotional ads and even changing the signage on the store. Huge impact for a brand that moved at the speed of culture.
‘ Drop In ’ for EA Skate is a film that wears its craft on its sleeve. Here the how becomes the idea. Magnetic, anarchic and fun. It doesn’t put a foot wrong. Watch on repeat.”