The Shorty Impact Awards, honoring social good on social media, is kicking off celebrations with the release of the 2021 shortlist! Read on for more details about the online ceremony and learn how you can join us in recognizing the most impactful social campaigns of the past year. Be sure to tune in to this week’s episode of Shorty Stories: LIVE, featuring Laurie Keith, VP of Media, Social & Emerging at AdCouncil; Dmitrii Osipovskii, Interactive Creative Director at PPK and Adele Mulford, Director, Creative at Make-A-Wish; who will be sharing their expertise on the social impact space on social media. Tune in on Twitter this Thursday, October 4th at 4pm EDT/1pm PST.
After many rounds of judging and debates, the Shorty Impact Jury has come to their conclusions! We are excited to announce the most creative, strategic, engaging impact work that made it to the 2021 shortlist:
Arts & Culture
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Arts & Culture. Examples include, but are not limited to, exhibits, museums or other cultural institutions, artists, artwork or initiatives that inspire artistic creation.
- Asia Rising Together by 88rising
- Proof Advertising brings “live music” back by Proof Advertising
Civic Engagement
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Civic Engagement. Examples include, but are not limited to, a program, project, or initiative that encourages the public to engage in any aspect of the political process or issues of public concern.
- Coach the Vote Campaign by Amplify Voices
- Factory 360 Inc. by Factory360
- OWN Your Vote by OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network & NowThis, Group Nine Media
Disability Awareness
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Disability Awareness. Examples include, but are not limited to, a program, project or initiative that educates the public on disabilities and/or provides opportunities and equity for the disabled.
- In The Know: Disability Pride Month by In The know
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Examples include, but are not limited to, initiatives that promote inclusivity and equity for people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and create collaborative, supportive and respectful environments.
- Children Belong in the Conversation: HP Empowers Families to Tackle Tough Conversations by HP Inc.
- Football is for Everyone by 72andSunny
- It’s a Sin, Time Capsule by Lupine Creative
- #Creators4BIPOC from Logitech For Creators by Logitech
Gender Equality
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Gender Equality. Examples include, but are not limited to, equal pay, equal job opportunities, equal representation in a company, executive team or board, equal access to healthcare and equal opportunities for participation in sports.
- Barbie You Can Be Anything Series by Mirrored Media
- FiftyFifty by Edelman
- Meet the Girl Who Lawmakers Want to Ban From Playing Sports by Human Rights Campaign
- #EqualEverywhere: Champions for Change by UN Foundation
Education & Community
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Education & Community. Examples include, but are not limited to, initiatives where schools, family and communities work together to address educational success inside and outside the classroom and more.
- #MusicSaves by Save The Music
Financial Literacy
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Financial Literacy. Examples include, but are not limited to, financial management, budgeting, investing and initiatives that support informed and effective decision-making concerning financial resources.
- QuickBooks x Compton Girls Club: Business G.IRL Incubator by TBWA\Chiat\Day LA
Public Safety
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Public Safety. Examples include, but are not limited to, initiatives carried out or promoted by a public agency for public purposes involving, directly or indirectly, the protection, safety, law enforcement activities, and criminal justice system of a given community.
- Mental Health is Health by ViacomCBS
- #StayTheFFHome by Freeform
Youth & Family
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Youth & Family. Examples include, but are not limited to, protecting at-risk youth and providing the civil, legal, educational, and institutional support that they need to lead positive, productive lives and/or providing guardians with supportive materials to do so.
- AdCouncil AdoptUSKids - You Can’t Imagine the Reward by Barbarian
- Meet the Girl Who Lawmakers Want to Ban From Playing Sports by Human Rights Campaign
- Nextdoor + Party City - Halloween Treat Map + Virtual Experience by Nextdoor
Conservation & Preservation
Honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Conservation & Preservation. Examples include, but are not limited to, efforts that preserve, guard or protect an environment or ecosystem.
- Redefining Trash TV by Small Girls PR
- Wasteminster: A Downing Street Disaster by Method & Madness
Sustainability & Renewable Energy
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Sustainability & Renewable Energy. Examples include, but are not limited to, efforts that support the research, development or implementation of new technology or resources that improve processes and more.
- Buy Back Friday by Edelman
Animal Rights & Welfare
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Animal Rights & Welfare. Examples include, but are not limited to, efforts that promote or support the well-being of animals by ensuring basic needs are fulfilled in terms of food, shelter and health, and more.
- Wildlife Watch by Edelman
Humanitarian Aid & Developing Nations
This award honors outstanding cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Humanitarian Aid & Developing Nations. Examples include, but are not limited to, efforts that promote or support ongoing structural issues, particularly systemic poverty, that may hinder economic, institutional and social development in any given society or programs designed to save lives and alleviate suffering during and in the immediate aftermath of emergencies.
- Airbnb.org commits to provide free housing to 20,000 Afghan refugees by Airbnb
- Miles4Migrants by The Points Guy and Lonely Planet
- USA for UNHCR’s Refugee Youth Storyteller’s Celebration by USA for UNHCR
Social Justice & Human Rights
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Social Justice & Human Rights. Examples include, but are not limited to, efforts that promote and protect the rights and freedoms of all individuals and groups or initiatives that seeks to address and dismantle systemic structural and interpersonal inequities based on class, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability status and any intersection(s) thereof.
- Proud Parent by 360i
- Spirit Day 2020 by GLAAD
Racial Justice
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Racial Justice. Examples include, but are not limited to, efforts that support the implementation of equal opportunities in any given establishment, as well as legal, moral, and political equality for people of all races.
- Becoming America by the Pop Culture Collaborative
- Colors of the World by dentsuMB
- PayPal Uses the Power of Storytelling to Support Black-Owned Businesses by PayPal
- Re-Imagine L.A. County (Measure J) by Swell Creative Group
- These Hands by The SpringHill Company
Veteran Service & Support
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Veteran & Service Support. Examples include, but are not limited to, initiatives that support military personnel and veterans, their families and their communities such as health research, mental and more.
- Make it Mean More by CPB
Public Health
Honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Public Health. Examples include, initiatives that support and protect the health of the population as a whole and more.
- dentsu draws the line against malaria to help end it for good by Dentsu
- Mask Up America by WarnerMedia
- Pandemica by Titmouse Inc. and hive
- Ready for Summer by C+C
- Spread the Facts by C+C
- WA Notify by C+C
- You Will See Me by Wild Card Creative Group
- #StayTheFFHome by Freeform
Mental Health
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Mental Health. Examples include, but are not limited to, providing community awareness, advocacy, financial resources and education to those affected by mental health issues.
- DISRUPT THE STIGMA with Hollister Co. by Hollister Co.
- Mental Health Action Day by ViacomCBS
- Not a Hero, But a Human by Trusted Health
- Silent No More - Giving Voice to Mental Illness by Our Better World - Singapore International Foundation
Reproductive Health
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to Reproductive Health. Examples include, but are not limited to, initiatives that support healthy sex lives and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to use reproductive systems.
- Delivering Hope by Critical Mass
- Thanks, Birth Control Campaign by Power to Decide
Grassroots Efforts
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media through Grassroots Efforts that highlight, support and/or bring attention to a particular cause that is in early stages of public awareness and was produced and maintained with limited resources.
- YouTube Regrets Reporter by Mozilla
Self-Defined
This award honors cause-related campaigns on social media that highlight, support and/or bring attention to a particular cause that is not listed in the above categories. Entrants may provide the title of the category and description in order to ensure proper judging.
- In The Know: Body Acceptance Month by In The know
- Lenovo New Realities by Zeno Group
- SUMMER REDISCOVE(RED) by (RED)
This award honors brands, agencies and organizations that leverage their overall cause-related presence on LinkedIn and use its native tools to drive engagement, build community and effectively establish a brand voice.
- The 5 into 1 by Seed to Branch Ltd
TikTok
This award honors brands, agencies and organizations that leverage their overall cause-related presence on TikTok and use its native tools to drive engagement, build community and effectively establish a brand voice.
- TikTok For Good presented by ATTN:
Twitch
This award honors brands, agencies and organizations that leverage their overall cause-related presence on Twitch and use its native tools to drive engagement, build community and effectively establish a brand voice.
- OUTLOUD: Raising Voices feat. Pride Live & Stonewall Day by JJLA
Youtube
This award honors brands, agencies and organizations that leverage their overall cause-related presence on YouTube and use its native tools to drive engagement, build community and effectively establish a brand voice.
- Anthony Padilla’s “I Spent A Day With…” by Pressalike Productions
Multi-Platform Campaign
This award honors brands, agencies and organizations that leverage their overall cause-related presence on multiple social media platforms and use their native tools to drive engagement, build community and effectively establish a brand voice.
- Barbie You Can Be Anything Series by Mirrored Media
- Expanding and Empowering the Worldwide Wildlife Community by Firebelly Marketing
- MIKA x Indeed x Pride: #SoundtrackofEmpathy by HangarFour Creative
- Pinterest’s Creator Code by Pinterest
- Star Trek Day by Paramount+
- Take Care With Peanuts by Peanuts Worldwide - Secret Order Studios/Anti Agency Group/Influence & Inspire Consulting
Emerging Platform
This award honors brands, agencies and organizations that leverage their overall cause-related presence on an emerging social media platform and use its native tools to drive engagement, build community and effectively establish a brand voice.
- Full Transparency by Verizon – Huge
Call to Action
This award honors the use of cause-related social media to encourage an audience to take action or further engage (Call to Action) with the brand or organization in a meaningful way. Examples include, but are not limited to, volunteering, making donations, purchasing promotional products, engaging in a survey or signing up for newsletters.
- BLK presents “Vax That Thang Up” feat. Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, and Mia X by BLK (a Match Group company)
- Drag Race “Say Love” PSA w/ The Trevor Project by ViacomCBS
- #EqualEverywhere: Champions for Change by UN Foundation
- (HOME)Room by Seed
- #MentalHealthAction TikTok Challenge by ViacomCBS
Chatbots
This award honors the use of cause-related social media to engage a community by use of Chatbots. Examples include, but are not limited to, rule-based chatbots, AI chatbots, and intellectually independent chatbots.
- Multilingual disaster response chat bot by American Red Cross
Fundraising
This award honors the use of cause-related social media and native social media features in order to Fundraise for a particular initiative. Examples include, but are not limited to, donation buttons, live “telethons,” social walkathons and more.
- March of Dimes: Signature Chefs by OBERLAND Inc.
- The Supper Series
Live Events
This award honors the use of cause-related social media in coordination with a Live Event or Live Event Series in order to engage a community and drive awareness. Examples include, but are not limited to, concerts, conferences, marches, rallies, meetups, virtual and hybrid events.
- Asia Rising Together by 88rising
- DISRUPT THE STIGMA with Hollister Co. by Hollister Co.
- Star Trek Day by Paramount+
Television
This award honors the use of cause-related social media in coordination with Television shows, series and specials in order to further engage a community and drive awareness. Examples include, but are not limited to, live or pre-recorded broadcast television and traditional cable programs.
- CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute by CNN
- Roll Up Your Sleeves Presented by Walgreens by ATTN
Real Time Response
This award honors the use of cause-related social media that required a rapid (relevant to the timeliness of the issue) or Real Time Response to customer needs, a relevant event, cultural phenomenon, or other brand. Examples include, but are not limited to, customer service responses, support of public issues, live news coverage and posts.
- Football is for Everyone by 72andSunny
User Generated Content
This award honors the use of cause-related social media that engages the community by inspiring User-Generated Content (UGC). Examples include, but are not limited to, unsolicited fan-based/user-generated art, social media challenges, contests, pledges or campaigns that directly incorporated user generated content.
- #WhereWereYou UGC Campaign by Iron Light & Common Sense Society
Clapback
This award honors a single cause-related social media rebuttal or response (Clapback) that displays exceptional, brand-defining voice.
- Read Between the Lies by Truth Initiative
Single Post or Activation
This award honors cause-related single posts and/or activations that garnered significant attention by “going viral”. The post or activation may have disrupted the space in a way that was notably recognized by a broad audience.
- BLK presents “Vax That Thang Up” feat. Juvenile, Manniee Fresh, and Mia X by BLK (a Match Group company)
- Boomer Stoop: Pronouns by ViacomCBS
Brand Partnership
This award honors the use of cause-related social media that leverages a Business-to-Business Partnership to the benefit of both parties. Examples include, but are not limited to, co-branding, collaborative live thought leadership sessions, shared content, special promotions and sweepstakes.
- Pfizer and the Historic Biopharma Industry Pledge to #StandWithScience on Coronavirus Vaccines by Real Chemistry
- QuickBooks x Compton Girls Club: Business G.IRL Incubator by TBWA\Chiat\Day LA
- Vote Early Day by ViacomCBS
Celebrity Partnership
This award honors the use of cause-related social media that leverages a Celebrity Partnership to the benefit of both parties. Celebrity Partnerships differ from Influencer Partnerships in that the celebrity in question is not typically known as an influencer on social media. Entries in question can be entered into either category. Examples include, but are not limited to, celebrity representation on any social channel, celebrity takeovers on social media, or custom product collections designed by a celebrity.
- Why Not Both? Ft. Roy Wood Jr., Maria Bamford, and Aparna Nancherla by ViacomCBS
- #SAVEWITHSTORIES by Save the Children
Entertainment Partnership
This award honors the use of cause-related social media that leverages a Entertainment Partnership to the benefit of both parties. Examples include, but are not limited to, endorsement on an entertainment program (television, movies, etc.) or creative collaboration with an entertainment program.
- Judas and the Black Messiah by Participant
- #CroodsCare Feeding America Campaign by Universal Pictures
Influencer Partnership
This award honors the use of cause-related social media that leverages an Influencer Partnership to the benefit of both parties. Influencer partnerships differ from celebrity partnerships in that the influencer in question is typically known for their social media presence. Entries in question can be entered into either category. Examples include, but are not limited to, endorsement by an influencer on any social channel, influencer takeovers on social media, or custom product collections designed by an influencer.
- For the Love of Gaming by Softgiving
Non-Profit Partnership
This award honors the use of cause-related social media that leverages a partnership with a Non-Profit organization to the benefit of both parties. Examples include, but are not limited to, social events that support or drive awareness around a non-profit cause or a custom product collection that supports that cause.
- It’s a Sin, Time Capsule by Lupine Creative
- Mental Health Action Day by ViacomCBS
- NowThis NEXT by NowThis, Group Nine Media
- Our Stories Are Your Stories by Mi2 Media llc
- #GiveThanksNotPranks by DonorsChoose
Stay tuned for the winner announcements coming up next Tuesday, November 9th! Follow us on social and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date!
