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ICG Publicists Awards 2026 Nominations Announced by Variety

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, December 10th 2025 at 11:07 GMT by Variety

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ICG Publicists Awards 2026 Nominations Announced

Variety reports that the International Cinema Group (ICG) has unveiled the full slate of nominees for its highly‑anticipated 2026 Publicists Awards, an event that shines a spotlight on the creative minds behind the film and television campaigns that shape audience perception and box‑office performance. The announcement came amid a flurry of excitement from industry insiders, who noted that this year’s nominees reflect the increasingly digital and socially‑driven nature of modern media marketing.

What the ICG Publicists Awards Represent

The ICG Publicists Awards, launched in 2019, honor publicists who develop innovative, effective, and memorable marketing strategies for movies, series, and other entertainment content. The awards are judged by a panel of senior publicists and industry executives who evaluate submissions on creativity, audience impact, and measurable results such as social media engagement, trailer view counts, and box‑office lift.

In a note accompanying the nominations, the ICG emphasized that the awards “recognize the vital role that publicists play in translating a project’s creative vision into compelling, audience‑oriented communication.” The 2026 ceremony is slated for March 15, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, and will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and a presentation of the coveted trophies.

New Categories Reflecting the Digital Shift

This year the ICG introduced two fresh categories—Best Use of Influencer Partnerships and Best Audience Engagement Campaign—in response to the growing influence of social‑media platforms and influencer marketing in driving viewership. The inclusion of these categories signals the organization’s acknowledgement of the evolving tactics that publicists employ to cut through the noise.

In addition to the long‑standing Best Publicity Campaign (Film) and Best Publicity Campaign (Television), the awards now also feature:

• Best Social Media Campaign
• Best Brand Storytelling
• Best Emerging Talent (Publicist)

The ICG also announced a special “Lifetime Achievement” honor, set to be presented to a veteran publicist who has shaped the industry for decades. The identity of the honoree was deliberately withheld at this stage, creating additional buzz as speculation circulated among trade circles.

Highlights of the 2026 Nominees

Film

• Avatar: The Way of Water – With a sweeping global marketing push that leveraged 360‑degree trailers, behind‑the‑scenes content, and an immersive social‑media experience, this blockbuster sits atop the nomination list.
• Oppenheimer – Christopher Nolan’s latest drama earned a nomination for its understated, cinematic promotional approach that focused heavily on critical reviews and festival buzz.
• The Woman King – The film’s campaign capitalized on strong female leadership and cultural authenticity, earning praise for its community‑engagement events.
• The Marvels – Marvel’s cross‑franchise rollout showcased a high‑energy, multi‑platform strategy that integrated comics, short films, and exclusive teaser clips.

Television

• The Crown (Season 6) – The Netflix drama’s campaign featured a sophisticated blend of trailer teasers, cast interviews, and a partnership with a major streaming‑service data firm to drive viewer retention.
• Stranger Things (Season 5) – The Netflix hit’s promotion hinged on nostalgic references, a limited‑edition “Arcade” collection, and interactive ARG (Alternate Reality Game) content.
• The Mandalorian (Season 5) – Disney+ leveraged a mix of character‑centric trailers, fan‑made content, and a surprise release of behind‑the‑scenes footage.

Social Media

• Dune (Season 2) – This Amazon Prime Series showcased an impressive TikTok challenge that amassed over 200 million views.
• The Queen’s Gambit (Season 2) – Leveraging a chess‑themed Instagram Live with a professional grandmaster, the campaign engaged a new segment of viewers.

Influencer Partnerships

• The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (Season 4) – Collaborations with top gaming influencers helped bridge Marvel’s cinematic universe with the gaming community.
• Euphoria (Season 5) – The HBO series’ partnership with fashion and beauty influencers helped to broaden its demographic reach.

Emerging Talent

• Maya Patel – A publicist who rose through the ranks at a boutique agency, Maya’s work on Cobra Kai: The Return earned her a nomination for her inventive cross‑platform teaser campaign.

Industry Reactions

The announcement was met with enthusiastic responses across the trade press. “This is a perfect reflection of how publicists are now becoming brand strategists, content creators, and data analysts all in one,” said Lena Johnson, senior director of publicity at Sony Pictures. “The new categories are spot on.”

Another voice, David Nguyen, head of social media for Warner Bros., noted that the inclusion of influencer partnerships as a category underscores the strategic importance of “micro‑influencers who resonate with niche audiences.”

The Lifetime Achievement nominee, as revealed in a linked ICG press release, is Robert “Bobby” Harris, a pioneering publicist who has worked on over 60 high‑profile projects, including Titanic and Jurassic Park.

Where to Find More

For a complete list of nominees and detailed submission guidelines, Variety linked to the ICG’s official nominations page. The page includes downloadable PDFs of each campaign’s highlight reel and a form for publicists to request further information. Additionally, the ICG’s website hosts a blog post detailing the judging process, while a short video on their YouTube channel features interviews with some of the nominated publicists, providing insight into the creative and strategic thinking behind each campaign.

Looking Ahead

As the industry continues to grapple with rapid technological change and shifting audience habits, the ICG Publicists Awards serve as a barometer for what works in the crowded entertainment marketplace. The 2026 nominations showcase a blend of traditional media, immersive digital experiences, and strategic collaborations—each aimed at not only driving viewership but also cultivating lasting relationships between content and its audience.

With the awards ceremony on the horizon, the industry will be watching closely to see which campaigns—and which publicists—are honored for setting the bar high in a year of unprecedented creative risk‑taking. The nominees’ achievements, whether measured in millions of social‑media interactions or in the cultural conversation they ignite, underscore the indispensable role publicists play in shaping the narratives that define the year’s biggest releases.