Branding

In this category, branding is evaluated as a strategic process aimed at creating and developing a unique image and identity for a company or product. Participants must demonstrate how their branding approach influences consumer perception, builds customer loyalty and differentiates the brand from competitors.
The application must include examples of visual materials such as logos, packaging, advertising materials or other brand elements. If this is not possible, attach photographs of samples in JPG or PDF format, along with a brief description of the branding concept and strategy, including the target audience and key messages.

Evaluation weights:

20% insight and idea;

20% strategy;

30 % creative solution and implementation;

30% results.

Evaluation criteria:

Alignment with the expectations of the target audience;

Originality and creativity of the idea and information presentation (concept);

Quality and usefulness of the provided information;

Visual design and appeal;

Depth of understanding of the target audience and its needs.

J01
Rebranding / Repositioning Campaign

A campaign to relaunch, transform, or reposition an existing brand in order to change consumer perception of it

J02
Best Branding Platform

Brand platforms are evaluated — they serve as the foundation for brand identity, communications, and long‑term loyalty between the brand and its audience

J03
Non-Digital Branded Content

The best content created for the brand and adapted to traditional/non‑digital channels — such as out‑of‑home (OOH) advertising, print media, and television — is evaluated. The content must align with the brand’s values and strategy and clearly address marketing objectives. The jury will assess content creation and its creative execution, taking into account storytelling, media fit, and customer satisfaction, which should be evidenced by consumer engagement metrics

J04
Digital Branded Content

The best content created for digital channels is evaluated. The content must align with the brand’s values and strategy and clearly address marketing objectives. The jury will assess content creation and its creative execution, taking into account storytelling, media fit, and customer satisfaction, which should be evidenced by consumer engagement metrics

J05
Branded Content for Non-profit Organisations

The best content created for social‑cause advertising campaigns is evaluated. Eligible participants include charitable and non‑profit organisations, as well as government bodies. Brands and agencies may also submit their case studies in this category if the campaigns were developed in collaboration with the aforementioned organisations

J06
Native Advertising

Innovative or effective, creative, and unique use of advertising created in a native format for a specific media resource

J07
Creative Brand Experience

The evaluation focuses on how the brand creates an unusual customer experience through various engagement activities, such as events, festivals, interactive experiences, and so on

Technical requirements

Applications implemented by the agency and/or advertisers (brand) in the period from January 1, 2026 to September 1, 2026, but not previously participating in Red Apple, are accepted for participation in the competition.

Deadline for submission of applications - August 31, 2026

Mandatory requirement - all submissions must be in English.

Application upload format:

1. Application in English (required):

- all fields of the application are required;

2. Video Case (required):

- in English or with English subtitles.

- provide a link to your video hosted on Vimeo, a resolution of at least 720p (preferably 1080p);

- maximum video duration: 3 minutes.

Additional files:

In support of the results, it is necessary to provide files in the format of graphs, diagrams, tables, presentations, studies in the field “additional files”. The data on the results can be presented both by the agency and by the client.

3. PDF Presentation (Recommended):

- no more than 15 slides

- aspect ratio 16: 9

- the presentation must include the following points:

1. Description of the product/service (company architecture)

2. Goals and objectives of the advertising campaign

3. Performance indicators of the advertising campaign (business, marketing, technical and media KPIs)

4. Presentation board (required):

- an image with key visual elements of the project and its description, .jpg, .png file (graphs, diagrams, tables, research) (with a width of at least 1772 pixels, a resolution of at least 150 DPI)

- file size no more than 75 MB

Attention!

It is forbidden to place the logo or the name of the agency in the work, including in the link, the name of the channel on the video hosting or in the name of the file. Jobs violating this rule will be disqualified.

Access to the material uploaded by the participants has: the organizing committee and members of the Jury.

A fragment of the video case can be used (can be displayed on the screen) during the award ceremony.