The 2026 Digiday Video and TV Awards finalists reflect a shift toward more immersive, audience-driven storytelling, where participation is as important as reach. Brands, publishers and agencies are embracing entertainment-first formats and designing content that extends beyond single moments, building sustained engagement across platforms. Premium video and original programming are increasingly amplified through omnichannel strategies that maximize visibility and impact. In turn, branded content is evolving into a core business driver, fueling partnerships, strengthening credibility and delivering measurable results well beyond traditional marketing objectives.
Adobe is among the nominees in the Best Brand Film or Series category. The company reimagined event marketing for its annual Adobe MAX conference with “The Great Big Giant MAX Creator Challenge,” a competition-style content series designed to extend product storytelling beyond the event. Featuring nine creators competing across four long-form episodes and multiple short-form cutdowns, the campaign blended studio-shot challenges with live conference footage and panel commentary to showcase key product innovations. The format tapped into the popularity of creator-led entertainment while delivering product education in an engaging way. It generated 36.3 million interactions and achieved a 6% engagement rate, doubling Adobe’s social benchmark and demonstrating strong audience resonance.
Finalists in the Best Original Programming category include Nasdaq, which expanded its thought leadership strategy with The Winning Formula, a flagship interview series exploring the intersection of business and sports. Hosted from its MarketSite studio and featuring high-profile guests including athletes and executives, the series examines leadership, innovation and the business of sports. Backed by sponsorship from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team, episodes are distributed across Nasdaq.com and social platforms to extend reach and engagement. By pairing credible voices with culturally relevant topics such as women’s sports and athlete entrepreneurship, the series strengthens Nasdaq’s visibility among sports-minded business audiences while reinforcing its authority beyond financial markets.
Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV.