The Palmer Marketing Awards 2025
About the Awards
The Palmer Marketing Awards celebrate outstanding marketing campaigns that deliver exceptional creativity, innovation and results. They’re named in honor of James L. Palmer, the first president of the Chicago chapter of the American Marketing Association, starting in 1937. Palmer was also a University of Chicago marketing professor and president and CEO of Marshall Field & Co. during its mid-20th-century expansion.
The Palmers annually recognize the work that sets benchmarks in the industry—from groundbreaking strategies to campaigns that captivate and inspire. These are exemplary campaigns that moved the needle and made an impact.
The 2025 Awards
The inaugural awards were presented at a June 12, 2025 ceremony at Chicago’s House of Blues. Winners were announced in these categories:
2025 Winners
Grand Prize
WinnerThe 77: A City of Neighborhoods
OrganizationChoose Chicago
Momentum
Recognizing outstanding marketing efforts that propel an existing product or service to new heights for the organization.
Winner
Cicada Symphony Orkinstra
Agency
DDB Chicago
Engagement
Celebrating a campaign that compels audiences to connect and engage with the organization.
Winner
Cicada Symphony Orkinstra
Agency
DDB Chicago
Integrated Marketing
Honoring exceptional integration of multi-channel marketing strategies that drive business results for the organization.
WinnerThe 77: A City of Neighborhoods
OrganizationChoose Chicago
Not-for-Profit Marketing
Celebrating the most impactful marketing campaign dedicated to supporting and promoting important causes and proactive community service.
WinnerThe 77: A City of Neighborhoods
OrganizationChoose Chicago
Influencer Collaboration
Recognizing the creative and effective utilization of influencer/creator marketing to achieve notable business outcomes for the organization.
Winner#OCedarCleanSquad Ambassador Program
Agency3rd Coast PR
B2B
Recognizing an outstanding marketing campaign to attract and capture leads for key targets for the organization.
WinnerOwn Your Growth Women’s Leadership Series
CompanyGallagher
Best Use of Generative AI
Celebrating a campaign that demonstrates the ability to harness the evolving field of large language models to drive improved business impact.
CampaignSpinning Up Some Holiday Cheer
AgencyBrandAction Agency
Product or Service Launch
Acknowledging excellence in a marketing campaign that successfully launches new products or services for the organization.
Winner
Mission94 Firearms Education Center: Launch of a Revolutionary Experience
Agency
TAWANI Enterprises, Inc.
Palmer Marketing Awards Interest
Complete these fields to be notified when submissions open for the 2026 Awards.