Award-winning branding strategies are the focus of a new Creative Bloq webinar series launching in April, bringing together the designers and creative directors who judge the industry’s most prestigious brand competitions. The webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, pairs practical insights on crafting award-winning work with forward-looking analysis of 2026 branding trends. This is not a generic masterclass—it is a direct conversation with the people who decide what wins.
Key Takeaways
- Award-winning branding webinar hosted by Creative Bloq in partnership with Brand Impact Awards on April 28
- Speakers include Cat How (CEO and Executive Creative Director of How&How) and Tommy Taylor (creative partner of Alphabetical), both former Brand Impact Awards judges
- Additional speakers feature James Greenfield (founder of Koto) and Jessica Bong-Woon (creative director of Ragged Edge)
- Series covers both award-winning strategies and emerging 2026 branding trends with industry-leading perspectives
- Webinar brings together established creative professionals to share insights on what judges value in branding work
Who Is Speaking and Why It Matters
Cat How and Tommy Taylor bring direct experience judging the Brand Impact Awards, meaning they have seen hundreds of submissions and understand exactly what separates winning work from the rest. How runs How&How, a creative studio, while Taylor is a creative partner at Alphabetical—both established names in the branding world. James Greenfield, founder of Koto, and Jessica Bong-Woon, creative director of Ragged Edge, round out the speaker roster, representing different scales and specialties within the branding discipline. This lineup ensures the conversation spans multiple perspectives rather than a single design philosophy.
Award-Winning Branding Strategies in Focus
The core question the webinar addresses is straightforward: what does it take to create branding work that wins awards? Rather than relying on theory, the speakers are drawing from their own portfolios and their experience evaluating submissions. The session targets designers, creative directors, and branding professionals who want to understand the gap between competent work and award-caliber work. For many creatives, the difference lies not in technical execution alone but in conceptual clarity, cultural insight, and execution that pushes beyond expected conventions.
Branding Trends Shaping 2026
Beyond award-winning strategies, the webinar series includes a companion session on 2026 branding trends, featuring Atsaya Gabiryalpillai (independent senior designer) and Jennifer Lehker (senior partner, Design at Lippincott). This dual-track approach acknowledges that award-winning work today is shaped by emerging trends and audience expectations. Understanding what the industry is moving toward helps designers position their work ahead of the curve rather than chasing yesterday’s aesthetic.
Why This Matters Now
Branding is not a static discipline. What wins awards in 2025 reflects shifts in how brands communicate with audiences, how designers approach cultural relevance, and what clients and judges value in creative problem-solving. A webinar that combines award-winning case studies with trend forecasting gives attendees both a retrospective view (what worked, why it won) and a prospective one (where the industry is heading). This is particularly valuable for designers early in their careers who are still building their instinct for what constitutes strong branding work.
Is the webinar free to attend?
The research brief does not specify pricing or registration details for the webinar. Interested attendees should check Creative Bloq’s website or the Brand Impact Awards site for registration information and any access requirements.
What should I expect from the speakers?
Expect insights grounded in real experience—the speakers have judged major awards, run established creative studios, and worked on high-profile branding projects. Rather than abstract theory, they will likely discuss specific decisions, case studies, and the thinking behind award-winning work.
How does this webinar fit into the broader branding industry conversation?
Creative Bloq’s webinar series bridges the gap between aspiration and execution in branding. By featuring judges and established professionals, it demystifies what makes branding work stand out and helps the design community understand the criteria that matter most in the industry right now.
For designers looking to elevate their award-winning branding work or understand what judges are actually looking for, this webinar offers direct access to that knowledge. Mark April 28 on your calendar—conversations with the people who decide what wins are rare and valuable.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Creativebloq
