Content

In this category, the jury evaluates how successfully content placement was implemented to attract consumers and achieve measurable results. The work must reveal the role of media in the creation, use, and amplification of content.

Evaluation weights:
20% insight and idea

20% strategy and target audience selection

30% implementation

30% results

Evaluation criteria:


Originality and creativity of the idea

Relevance of the channel choice to the brand's objectives and alignment with the campaign's unified style and key message

Innovation/innovative approach to implementing the communications campaign

Achieved KPIs: changes in reach, engagement, conversion, CPT, CPA, CPC, CTR, ROMI, awareness, loyalty, perception change, consumption, ROI, etc.

C01
Best Branded Content

This category will evaluate content creation or integration into content, which must be consistent with brand values, strategy and clearly address marketing objectives. The jury will evaluate the content’s relevance to the selected media, as well as consumer engagement, as evidenced by performance indicators.

C02
Best use of Content Including Sponsorship

This category evaluates campaigns that demonstrate how the campaign has been successfully enhanced by presenting content, including through sponsorship and product placement

С03
Best Collaboration

The best collaboration of brands within the framework of a joint project or media campaign, confirmed by performance indicators for all participants

С04
Best brand media

The best thematic media publication created by the brand (media portals, blogs, podcasts, video hosting, applications, etc.)

С05
Best Content for non-profit

Socially relevant content. Participants are eligible to participate in charities and non-profit organizations. Brands and agencies can also submit their case studies in this category if they were developed in collaboration with the aforementioned organizations.

С06
Content from influencers


The best content created jointly with or with influencers. This category recognizes projects where the influencer is not simply the bearer of an advertising message, but a full-fledged co-creator. Integrations are evaluated where the content seamlessly fits into the blogger's editorial style, maintains authenticity, and generates high audience engagement. Influencers can be niche experts and content creators, as well as widely recognized celebrities.

С07
Best use of AI in content

Projects where artificial intelligence serves as a key tool for optimizing communications, increasing efficiency, and achieving specific business results. This will evaluate the impact of AI on improving ROI, audience targeting, and automation of marketing processes.

Technical requirements

Applications implemented by the agency and/or advertisers (brand) in the period from January 1, 2025 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.