Transform Awards North America announces call for entries for 2019 program

Developing a brand for a local Seattle business or a regional Canadian governmental body or a global, New York-headquartered company requires similar strategic processes and creative questions. The resulting visual identities may be different, but brand designers have to undertake a similar process of development for every project they work on.

The Transform Awards North America recognises work from companies of all size and sector and from locations spanning east to west and north to south. The awards, now in its fifth year, recognizes the best in rebranding and brand development.

Now, the 2019 Transform Awards North America is open for entries. Shortlisted work will be examined by a panel of expert judges including in-house brand professionals and those agencies who won the ‘Grand prix’ and ‘Best overall visual identity’ awards in 2018. The judging process looks at criteria ensures the Transform Awards sets the benchmark for excellence in rebranding and brand development.

At the 2018 Transform Awards, a range of work represented the excellent work undertaken by the North American branding industry. Cincinnati Ballet made its mark with LPK with a poetic, elegant new rebrand. Jefferson, a newly merged university, reached disparate stakeholder groups with a refreshed strategy and visual identity. Drinks companies both alcoholic and soft found packaging innovations to be the way forward.

“The Transform Awards North America celebrates the best in rebranding and brand development with a gala dinner and ceremony. It is the highlight of the brand calendar and ensures every brand is honoured for its excellent work and its ongoing commitment to brand strategy. I wish all of the entrants to this year’s awards the best of luck and hope to see them in New York in October,” says Brittany Golob, publishing editor of Transform magazine.

Entries are accepted until 12 July, but those entries received by 10 May will see their fifth entry free and a $100 discount. For more information, email Jessica or call +44 20 3950 5356. Entry guidelines are available here.

The categories are:

Content

Best use of a visual property; photography, illustration or digital

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 audio branding

Best use of typography

Best place or nation brand

Process

Best external stakeholder relations during a brand development project

Best internal communication during a brand development project

Best implementation of a brand development project

Best implementation of a brand development project across multiple markets

Best localization of an international brand

Strategy

Best creative strategy

Best brand evolution

Best strategic or creative development of a new brand

Best development of a new brand within an existing brand portfolio

Best naming strategy

Type

Best corporate rebrand following a merger or acquisition

Best brand development project to reflect a changed mission, values or positioning

Best brand consolidation

Best rebrand of a digital property

Sector

Best visual identity from:

a charity/NGO/non-profit
education
energy and utilities
engineering and manufacturing
farming and agriculture
financial services
FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods)
food and beverage
healthcare and pharmaceuticals
industrial and basic materials
mining and extractives
professional services
public
real estate, construction and facilities management
retail
technology, media and telecommunications
transport and logistics
travel, leisure and tourism

The following awards cannot be entered and winners will be chosen by our judging panel. All entries will be automatically put forward for these awards.

Best overall visual identity

Grand prix for excellence in rebranding