MAD STARS 2026 Issues Final Call for Entries as June 15 Deadline Approaches

MAD STARS, the international marketing and advertising festival held annually in Busan, South Korea, has issued its final call for entries for the 2026 awards, with worldwide submissions closing on June 15. This is the final opportunity for entrants to submit their work for this year’s competition, with no further extension planned.

Now in its 19th edition, MAD STARS is one of Asia’s most established platforms for creative work across advertising, marketing, technology, and social impact. The awards are open to agencies, brands, production companies, media companies, startups, public institutions, nonprofits, independent creators, and the general public.

A Platform Shaped Around How Creative Work Is Made and Evaluated Today

For 2026, MAD STARS has reclassified its entry categories to make the awards more intuitive for entrants and to reflect how creative work is developed, executed, and evaluated across today’s marketing and communications landscape. The revised structure is built around two pillars: the SOLUTION Group and the POSITIVE IMPACT Group.

The SOLUTION Group brings together categories focused on campaigns that combine strategy and execution, evaluating how effectively creative ideas address real business and communications challenges.The POSITIVE IMPACT Group recognizes creative work that generates positive change across society, with entries evaluated based on values such as sustainability, diversity, health, public relevance, and responsibility. Health Stars has been newly established within the POSITIVE IMPACT Group, reflecting the growing importance of health-related products, services, and communication.

AI-Enabled Work: New Standards for Entry and Evaluation

As generative AI becomes an established part of the creative process, MAD STARS has updated its entry and judging framework to reflect that shift. A new Use of AI sub-category has been added to the Craft section, recognizing AI as a functional tool that can enhance the quality and craft of marketing and communication. All entrants are required to confirm whether AI was used in production and, where applicable, disclose the specific methods and scope of AI use. This disclosure framework is designed to ensure transparency and fairness in how AI-assisted work is assessed across categories.

Global Jury and Judging Process

MAD STARS 2026 will be judged by a global jury of more than 350 professionals from 83 locations, spanning marketing, advertising, digital content, media, PR, and related creative communications disciplines. All submissions first undergo online preliminary judging, with selected entries announced as Finalists before advancing to the First Final Judging Round, conducted online. The Second and Last Final Judging Rounds are then held in person in Busan, where winners are determined through discussion and voting by the Executive Jury and Final Jury.

Final Entry Deadline and Fees

The final deadline for MAD STARS 2026 is June 15. All dates are based on Korea Standard Time.

Professional final-period entry fees range from USD 400 to USD 550, depending on category and entry type. Entries to the General Public division remain free and open to anyone worldwide until June 15.

Entries can be submitted at madstars.org.

MAD STARS 2026 will take place from August 26 to 28, 2026, at SIGNIEL BUSAN and across the Haeundae area in Busan, South Korea, under the theme “AMPLIFY.”

About MAD STARS

Held annually in Busan, South Korea, MAD STARS is one of Asia’s leading international festivals for marketing, advertising, and digital content, inviting creative work from around the world and sharing creative solutions that drive positive change.

MAD STARS goes beyond traditional advertising to encompass marketing, digital content, technology, culture, and social impact. Its programs include awards, conferences, networking, and global competitions, including YOUNG STARS and NEW STARS. MAD STARS 2026 will take place from 26 to 28 August 2026 at SIGNIEL BUSAN and across the Haeundae area in Busan, South Korea. Entries are open worldwide until 15 June 2026.