Recognizing how marketing moves purpose beyond a statement—and into meaningful, real-world difference
About the Awards
Marketing today sits at the intersection of growth, trust, technology, and rising societal expectations.
Brands are no longer judged solely by what they say—but by the decisions they make, the systems they influence, and the outcomes they create.
MMWD began as a belief—that marketing could make a meaningful difference.
Today, it’s about demonstrating how—and proving when—it actually does.
The Marketing Makes a World of Difference (MMWD) Awards recognize work that reflects this shift.
This is not about considering purpose simply as a statement.
It’s about how marketing translates ideas into action, alignment, and measurable impact that truly do make a difference—across business performance, customer behavior, and the broader world in which brands operate.
What Makes MMWD Different
Many awards celebrate creativity or effectiveness.
MMWD recognizes how marketing shapes what companies do—and what changes as a result—whether for customers, communities, stakeholders, or the world at large.
We look for work where:
- Marketing plays a central role in shaping decisions—not just messaging
- Ideas are executed in ways that influence real-world behaviors or systems
- Impact is visible, credible, and measurable
- The difference made is clear—showing how marketing helped create change that genuinely mattered
At its core, MMWD asks a simple question:
Would this have happened without marketing?
The strongest entries leave no doubt.
This work mattered—and marketing is why.
What Judges Look For
Judges evaluate how effectively marketing moves beyond messaging to create meaningful outcomes.
They consider:
- Influence: Did marketing shape key business decisions?
- Impact: What changed as a result?
- Outcomes: Did it deliver measurable business value or growth?
- Credibility: Are the claims clear and believable?
- Execution: Was the idea brought to life in a distinctive and effective way?
This is not about intent alone.
It’s about how marketing performs in the real world.
How to Enter
We understand that the most meaningful marketing initiatives are often complex, cross-functional, and evolving.
The entry process is designed to help you clearly present:
- The challenge and strategic thinking
- Marketing’s role in shaping decisions
- The actions taken
- And the results achieved
👉 Official entry questions—including scoring weight by section—can be found here:
Click Here For The Entry Form
Strong entries are clear, specific, and supported by evidence where possible.
Why Enter
MMWD is part of The Internationalist’s broader leadership initiative exploring how marketing evolves from intent to impact.
Winning work:
Helps define the future of marketing through the development of the MMWD Impact Index
Demonstrates how marketing contributes to real-world difference and business growth
Is featured across The Internationalist’s editorial platforms, including Trendsetters, THE EDIT, and Internationalist Marketing TV
Key Dates
- Call for Entries Opens: June 2026.
- Deadline for Entries: August 7, 2026.
- Winners Announced: Early September 2026
- Virtual Awards Show to follow.
Eligibility
Entries may be submitted for initiatives appearing in any market from Spring 2025 to the July 2026 awards deadline.
Entry Fees
USD $495 per entry
USD $445 per entry for multiple submissions
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Background
MARKETING MAKES A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE™ (MMWD) was founded on the belief that marketing, at its best, can create meaningful impact beyond communications alone.
As the industry has evolved, so have expectations.
Today, in a more transparent and accountable environment, the question is no longer whether brands intend to make a difference—but how that difference is realized, and whether it holds up in the real world.
The MMWD Awards reflect that evolution—recognizing work that demonstrates how marketing contributes to decisions, actions, and outcomes that genuinely matter.
The initiative is endorsed by the Association of National Advertisers and continues to support the advancement of marketing as a driver of both business growth and meaningful, real-world difference.
If your work shows how marketing can move purpose beyond a statement—and create meaningful, real-world difference—we encourage you to enter.