Transform Awards MEA 2026 officially opens for entries

Back for a 13th successive year, the Transform Awards remains the only awards programme in the region to celebrate the transformative power of brand strategy, creativity and design.

The last edition of the Transform Awards MEA produced an enthralling evening at the lavish Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai, with Etihad Credit Bureau and Accenture Song crowned the night’s big winners. With the project taking home five Golds, two Silvers, one Bronze and the illustrious ‘Grand Prix’, Transform is once again on the lookout for the very best brand strategy and design work from across the Middle East and Africa.

Transform’s panel of judges for next year’s awards will be formed from independent experts in the world of branding, marketing and corporate communications. Assessing best practice in strategy, execution, content and evaluation, they will create a shortlist of the best projects entered.

This year, Transform magazine subscribers can take advantage of an early entry discount of $150 off your total entry cost and your fifth entry free when entering by 25 September 2025. Non-subscribers will receive $100 discount off their total entry costs when submitting by 25 September 2025. You can subscribe to Transform magazine here. 

The full list of categories are as follows and their definitions can be found on the dedicated categories page:

CONTENT

Best Use of a Visual Property

Best Brand Architecture Solution

Best Use of Copy Style or Tone of Voice

Best Brand Experience

Best Use of Packaging

Best Wayfinding or Signage

Best Use of Typography

Best Audio Brand

Best Place Brand

Best Expression of a Brand on Social Media Channels

PROCESS

Best External Stakeholder Relations During a Brand Development Project

Best Internal Communications During a Brand Development Project

Best Implementation of a Brand Development Project

Best Localization of an International Brand

Best Use of AI to Aid a Branding Project

STRATEGY

Best Creative Strategy (Business)

Best Creative Strategy (Consumer)

Best Creative Strategy (Corporate)

Best Brand Evolution (Business)

Best Brand Evolution (Consumer)

Best Brand Evolution (Corporate)

Best Strategic or Creative Development of a New Brand

Best Development of a New Brand Within an Existing Brand Portfolio

Best Naming Strategy (New Name)

Best Naming Strategy (Rename)

Best Naming Strategy (Naming System)

TYPE

Best Corporate Rebrand Following a Merger or Acquisition

Best Brand Development Project to Reflect a Change of Mission, Values or Positioning (Business)

Best Brand Development Project to Reflect a Change of Mission, Values or Positioning (Consumer)

Best Brand Development Project to Reflect a Change of Mission, Values or Positioning (Corporate)

Best Brand Consolidation

Best Digital Transformation

Best Employer Brand

SECTOR

• Automotive
• Charity, NGO or Not-For-Profit
• Education
• Energy and Utilities
• Engineering and Manufacturing
• Farming and Agricultural
• Financial Services
• FMCG
• Food and Beverage
• Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
• Hospitality
• Industrial and Basic Materials
• Lifestyle and Wellbeing
• Oil, Gas, Mining and Extractives
• Professional Services
• Property, Construction and Facilities Management
• Public
• Retail
• Sports and Leisure
• Startup
• Technology, Media and Telecommunications
• Transport and Logistics
• Travel and Tourism

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Brand Strategist of the Year

Creative Director of the Year

Young Contender of the Year