Choose Chicago Captures Highest Honor Among Nation’s Top Marketing Campaigns
CHICAGO, IL – The American Marketing Association Chicago (AMA Chicago) announced the winners of the 2026 Palmer Marketing Awards, honoring outstanding marketing campaigns that demonstrate exceptional creativity, innovation and measurable impact. The awards were presented during a celebration held June 16 at the House of Blues Chicago.
The Palmer Marketing Awards recognize the best in modern marketing and celebrate campaigns that successfully combine strategy, creativity and results. This year’s competition attracted entries from organizations and agencies across the country representing a diverse range of industries and marketing disciplines.
The evening’s highest honor, Grand Champion, was awarded to Choose Chicago for its campaign, “Never Done, Never Outdone.” The campaign also earned top honors in the Integrated Marketing category. Choose Chicago received a third award in the Engagement category for its campaign, “All for the Love of Chicago.”
“Marketing continues to evolve at an incredible pace, and this year’s winners exemplify the innovation, strategic thinking and measurable impact that define excellence in our profession,” said Chris McGuire, president of AMA Chicago. “From destination marketing and social media engagement to data-driven campaigns, nonprofit initiatives and B2B marketing, these organizations demonstrated how powerful marketing can drive meaningful results.”
The 2026 Palmer Marketing Award winners are:
Grand Champion
Choose Chicago
“Never Done, Never Outdone”
Integrated Marketing
Choose Chicago
“Never Done, Never Outdone”
Engagement (Tie)
Choose Chicago
“All for the Love of Chicago”
Ovative Group
“Launching Cinnamon Pebbles™ with High-Impact Social”
Momentum
StudioNorth
“Lenovo’s Accelerating Your AI Journey Video Podcast Series”
Data-Driven Marketing
Elevate
“ComEd’s Energy Savvy Customers Campaign”
Product or Service Launch
Zeta Global
“Nothing Bundt Cakes Loyalty Member Relaunch”
B2B Marketing
Point B Communications
“Dickies B2B ‘Anything But Uniform'”
Not-for-Profit Marketing
RAILS
“7 Million Books, One Campaign”
The winning campaigns showcased excellence across a broad range of marketing disciplines, including integrated marketing, audience engagement, content strategy, data analytics, social media, product launches, nonprofit communications and business-to-business marketing.
Winners were selected by an independent panel of senior marketing leaders representing some of the nation’s most recognized consumer, retail, hospitality, media, airline, food, beverage and communications brands. Judges evaluated entries based on creativity, strategic execution, innovation and measurable results.
Named for James L. Palmer, the first president of the Chicago chapter of the American Marketing Association in 1937, the Palmer Marketing Awards celebrate campaigns that push boundaries, elevate the profession and demonstrate the power of marketing to create meaningful impact.
For more information about the Palmer Marketing Awards and AMA Chicago, visit amachicago.org.
Photos by Organic Headshots: Lisa Nucci of Choose Chicago accepts three 2026 Palmer Marketing Awards, including Grand Champion.
Photo by Organic Headshots: President of AMA Chicago, Chris McGuire presents Lisa Nucci of Choose Chicago with the 2026 Palmer Marketing Award for Grand Champion.
Campaign Images:
Choose Chicago
Ovative Group
Studio North
Elevate
Zeta
Point B Communications
About AMA Chicago
AMA Chicago, the largest professional chapter in the American Marketing Association’s North American network, provides ongoing development opportunities for marketers to expand knowledge, improve skills and grow careers through access to industry thought leaders and cutting-edge programming. Marketers from agencies, brands, small businesses, nonprofit organizations and consultancies are invited to join and connect with peers across industries. Learn more at amachicago.org.
