Meet the Hashtag Asia Awards 2026 Finalists

After months of standout submissions and fierce competition, the finalists for MARKETING-INTERACTIVE's Hashtag Asia Awards 2026 have officially been revealed.

Returning for its fifth edition, the awards celebrate the campaigns, creators, brands and agencies pushing the boundaries of social media marketing across Asia. From culture-shaping content and viral moments to purpose-driven storytelling and innovative platform strategies, this year's finalists represent some of the region's most creative and influential work.

The 2026 programme features 42 categories, including four new honours introduced to recognise emerging trends and evolving audience behaviours: 'Best Multi-Platform Campaign', 'Best Social Media Loyalty Programme', 'Best Use of Gamification', and 'Best Use of Short-Form Video for a Campaign'.

Beyond individual category wins, finalists will also be in the running for the programme's highest accolades: the coveted 'Overall Brand HashMaster' and 'Overall Agency HashMaster' titles.

This year's entries were evaluated by a distinguished panel of 17 senior marketing and communications leaders from across Asia, who brought extensive industry expertise and regional perspectives to the judging process.

Koo Sok Hoon, director of marketing at Shangri-La Singapore, highlighted the diversity and emotional depth of this year's submissions. "What stood out was the sheer range of work submitted—many entries were not only highly creative but also deeply inspiring. Each piece reflected careful thought, striking a balance between strong business objectives and authentic, emotionally engaging storytelling," she said.

"There were moments that genuinely resonated on an emotional level, and you could really sense the care and intent behind every message. It has been a meaningful judging experience, and I look forward to seeing which entries emerge as the final winners," she added. 

Meanwhile, Dr Samuel Choudhury, director at GP Samuel, praised the boldness and willingness to take creative risks demonstrated by many entrants. Encouraged to see "this kind of bravery", Choudhury said that he was " impressed by the calculated risks and bold strategies on display — many entries went against the grain and pushed creativity to another level." 

Meanwhile, Rizky Putra, digital lead at dentsu Indonesia, commended the strategic rigour and business impact behind the shortlisted work. "This year featured a wide range of compelling and innovative campaigns. In an increasingly competitive landscape, the entries stood out for their strong strategic thinking and effective amplification," he said.

"They delivered measurable results while also driving meaningful impact on brand growth. Congratulations to all the teams involved—you've set a very high benchmark with excellent work, " added Rizky. 

Elon Tan, director of digital marketing at Razer, pointed to a growing shift towards audience-first marketing. "This year's submissions prove that the best marketing puts consumers at the centre. I was highly impressed by the shift away from generic campaigns towards highly relevant, tailored messaging. The standout entries didn't just focus on selling products—they successfully integrated brands into culture, creating memorable work that truly resonates," said Tan. 

The winners of the Hashtag Asia Awards 2026 will be unveiled at a gala dinner and celebration on 10 July 2026 at Sofitel Singapore City Centre.

Eager to find out who made the cut? View the full list of finalists here.

For gala packages, speak to our project manager for more info:

Bianca Mariz
Regional Project Manager
Tel: +65 6692 9031 Ext 821
Mobile: +63 9171620568
biancam@marketing-interactive.com

Corrine Magtanong
Regional Project Manager
Tel: +65 6692 9031 Ext 820
Mobile: +63 9175785524
corrinem@marketing-interactive.com

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