We are proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Ovation Awards in the Merit and Excellence categories. This year, the program continues its tradition of evaluating work against a global standard of excellence, celebrating exceptional communications across corporate communications, public relations, marketing, and digital strategy.
The 41st Annual Ovation Awards Gala will take place on May 7, 2026, at The Carlu. This formal evening is the premier gathering for the GTA’s communications leaders, decision-makers, and rising stars to recognize the standout work that strengthens our professional community.
The event features high-level networking, a sit-down dinner, and the live announcement of the Awards of Distinction and the Best of the Best winners.
Event Details:
When: Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 5:30 p.m.
Where: The Carlu, 444 Yonge St.
Format: Formal Gala
Tickets: now available here
The award
For 41 years, the Toronto chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC/Toronto) has celebrated professionals for their talent and creative brilliance through the prestigious Ovation Awards program.
The IABC/Toronto Ovation Awards program is aligned with IABC’s global and national awards programs, making it easy for you to submit one entry for multiple awards.
2026 Ovation Awards Winners
Congratulations to the professionals and teams recognized for their outstanding contributions to the industry.
2026 IABC/Toronto Ovation Award of Excellence
Category 5: Safety Communications
Enbridge Gas with Burson Canada
Call Before You Dig
Ontario College of Pharmacists and Counsel Public Affairs
Time-Delayed Safe Implementation and Public Awareness Initiative
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Raising the Bar – Together!
Category 7: Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communications
Zeno Group Canada
Think Turkey
ALS Canada & Principles
United in ALS
Heart & Stroke and Principles
Giving in Memory
Visit California with Zeno Group Canada
California Loves Canada
Hatch Marketing and Communications team
Performance Innovations 2025
Category 9: Media Relations
Sobeys
Star of Christmas
Category 9a: Media Relations with a budget up to $50K
McDonald’s Canada x Weber Shandwick Canada
McDavid’s
Category 9b: Media Relations with a budget more than $50K up to $100K
LABOUR
AutoTrader PR: Leading with Insight in a Year of Uncertainty
Category 9c: Media Relations with a budget more than $100K
McDonald’s Canada x Weber Shandwick Canada
All Dressed Up
Strategic Objectives and Amazon Canada
Alexa+ – Launching the Future of Generative AI-Powered Voice Assistance
Molson Coors Beverage Company with Zeno Group Canada
Case Of The Mondays
Category 10: Community Relations
CATIE with Burson Canada
Anti-Stigma Toolkit and Training
Category 16: Non-Profit Campaigns
Heart & Stroke and Principles
Giving in Memory
Category 17e: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) – Marketing Communications
Schneiders Hot Dog Champs x Rethink PR
Schneiders Hot Dog Champs
Category 20: Special and Experiential Events
Sephora Canada
Winning together at Sephora’s Store Director Conference
Pets Plus Us x Weber Shandwick Canada
Reclaim the Skies: Reimagining a Canadian tradition into a day of joy for pets
APEX PR
ZWILLING Holiday Hosting Masterclass
Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire Christmas House
University of Toronto Communications
U of T’s World Series Watch Parties
Category 22: Audio/Visual
University of Toronto Communications
“My U of T” Series – Dragon Boat Club
Category 23: Social Media
Hatch
Hatch’s Social Visibility & Thought Leadership Refresh
LABOUR
The Odd Balls
Category 25: Writing
University of Toronto Communications
Meeting the Moment: supporting research in a time of cutbacks
2026 IABC/Toronto Ovation Award of Merit
Category 2: Employee Engagement
Whitby Communications and Creative Services
Whitby Wire
Category 7: Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communications
LABOUR
WeRPN “Practical Meets Powerful” Membership Campaign
Hatch
Shaping UK Places
LABOUR
The Gran-Masters Campaign
Schneiders Hot Dog Champs x Rethink PR
Schneiders Hot Dog Champs
Air Canada x Weber Shandwick Canada
The Bucket List Hat
Category 9a: Media Relations with a budget up to $50K
Veritas Communications Inc. & Labatt Breweries of Canada
Budweiser Zero – King of Zero
Category 9c: Media Relations with a budget more than $100K
Royal LePage and Burson Canada
Royal LePage 2025 Research and Media Relations Program: Building Trust, Igniting Dialogue
The Coca-Cola Company x Weber Shandwick Canada
FUZE® Iced Tea: It’s The Flavour
Kraft Heinz and Taco Bell with Zeno Group Canada
Bring Home The Bell
Category 12: Government Communications Programs
City of Toronto
Make the Right Call
Whitby Communications and Creative Services
Town of Whitby Corporate Website Launch
Category 14: Issues Management and Crisis Communications
McDonald’s Canada x Weber Shandwick Canada
Tariffs Mitigation
Category 16: Non-Profit Campaigns
Penguins International x Rethink PR
Penguins International | March of the Penguins
ALS Canada & Principles
United in ALS
Breast Cancer Canada and Edelman Canada
Beyond One Size
Category 17e: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) – Marketing Communications
ruckus Digital
The Dash-elor
Mastercard™ and Weber Shandwick
Mastercard Putting Fans in Poll Position
Category 17f: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) – Social Media Programs
DoorDash
The Chef Series
Category 20: Special and Experiential Events
Kia Canada and Strategic Objectives
Embrace Electric — Kia Canada EV5 Launch Event
LABOUR
Spin to Win
Category 21: Digital Communication/Communication for the Web
University of Toronto Mississauga
UTM Admission Category Webpage Refresh
Canadian Bankers Association
Website transformation
Category 22: Audio/Visual
Hatch Marketing and Communications team
Performance Innovations 2025
Category 23: Social Media
Astellas Pharma Canada x Weber Shandwick Canada
#HotTakes Influencer Campaign
University of Toronto Communications and Division of Student Life
U of T AskMe Anything Instagram Live Series
Category 24: Publications
Oxford Properties Group
The Oxford Development Story
CIFAR
CIFAR Impact Report
University of Toronto Magazine
University of Toronto Magazine Spring 2025 issue
University of Toronto Mississauga
UTM Viewbook Redesign
University of Toronto, Faculty of Arts & Science
Faculty of Arts & Science Viewbook 2026
Category 25: Writing
University of Toronto Communications
Global activist – now a U of T PhD student – uses AI to combat sexual violence
Hatch Marketing and Communications team
Performance Innovations 2025
Gold Partner
Kudos Sponsor
