The Fifth Annual Shorty Social Good Awards will be presented in a virtual ceremony Thursday, Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. ET, and the finalists were revealed Wednesday.
The five most popular categories that brands built campaigns around, according to the Shorty Awards, were:
Environment and Sustainability (second consecutive year as the top category)
Public Health (new to the top five, likely driven by the pandemic)
LTBTQ+ (also new to the top five)
Nonprofit (second year in the top five)
Video Series (new to the top five)
Five new categories were added this year: Healthcare and Pharma and Fitness and Wellness under Industry; TikTok under platform; and Community or Employee Engagement and Podcast under Content & Strategy.
The Shorty Awards said the Community or Employee Engagement and Healthcare and Pharma categories stood out in terms of traction among the new categories.
Shorty Awards co-founder and Muck Rack CEO Gregory Galant said in a statement, “It’s more important than ever to keep important conversations going about the social good brands can create. The Shorty Social Good Awards offer an opportunity to take a look at the meaningful work brands have produced in this unprecedented past year, and they provide insight as to how they have used their platforms to highlight issues and causes. Despite being physically distanced right now, this show will succeed in bringing many leading industry minds together.”
The finalists for the Fifth Annual Shorty Social Good Awards are:
Best Global Campaign
#AloneTogether
A Piece of Me
Fight Forever Chemicals Campaign
Keep Learning and Stay Safe Under Covid-19 Through K-Pop
We Are the Countervirus
World No Tobacco Day
Best Integrated Campaign
Disney The Lion King Protect the Pride
Education City Speaker Series: Race and Identity in the 21st Century
KOALAS OF NYC
Lift Every Voice: Black History Month
Make-a-Wish Wishes Need Stars Like You
Smile With Lay’s
Best Mobile Campaign
AdTheorent and The Ad Council’s “Goodwill Bring Good Home Mobile Advertising Campaign”
Hunger: Not Impossible
Lift Every Voice: Black History Month
Stella Rosa Wines VIP App
Best Multiplatform Campaign
#AloneTogether
Camp Hello Bello
Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO, powered by UN Foundation
DiDi Hero
Music Moments
Univision’s Cuenta Conmigo
Best on a Shoestring Campaign
Big Facts, Small Acts: Cover Our Community
Climate Cardinals
Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO, powered by UN Foundation
Joke a Day for MDA
Saving the California Flower Farmers
Staying in with philosophy
Best Pro Bono Campaign
Global Pride Crossing
Make-a-Wish Wishes Need Stars Like You
Men Pay for Toilet Paper in Public Restrooms (Like Women Do for Tampons)
Profiles in Resilience Poster Series
Tackle Can Wait
The Ash Globe
Best Social Movement Campaign
#VenmoItForward
Alzheimer’s Association United Campaign
Home Is Here: The Voices of Undocumented People at the Supreme Court
Lift Every Voice: Black History Month
The Pledge for Paternity Leave
Verizon – PayItForwardLIVE
WE ARE THE DREAM: ROAD TO YOUR DREAMS
Best in Accessibility
Climate Cardinals
Determina-Shaun: Engineering Hope
Fostering Inclusive Experiences for Those With Speech Disorders Through MY BEAUTIFUL STUTTER
Have Dreams
Special Olympics and WWE Launch School of Strength Fitness Campaign
Best in Animal and Wildlife
A Wild Life – Our Better World’s Wildlife Series
Crunchyroll – Anime Heroes for Aussie Wildlife
Disney The Lion King Protect the Pride
Inspiring Pet Parents and Animals Lovers Through a Global Pandemic
Kitten Bowl VII
KOALAS OF NYC
Subaru Celebrates Pets by Establishing National Make a Dog’s Day
Best in Arts and Culture
Rumors of War
Best in Civic Engagement
As Restaurants Closed Due to Covid-19, Restaurant Workers Fought for Aid
Consumer Reports #PutPeopleFirst Pandemic Campaign
Executive Command by iCivics.org and Filament Games
Nurses on the Covid-19 Frontlines Took to Social Media and Demanded Protection
Our Power
The System: Who Rigged It, and How We Fix It with Robert Reich
Univision’s Cuenta Conmigo
Best Work for Developing Nations
Be an Honorable Warrior: A campaign to end domestic violence in Cambodia
Covid-19 Response from World Bank Group
Expert Answers from the World Bank Group
GIVING TUESDAY FILTER
Let It Shine
The Other Bar
Best in Diversity and Inclusion
“A Show of Hands”
AMC Networks Black History Month PSA Campaign
Backpacks for a Bright Future: Effectv Helps Kids in Need
Dragged: Queen Unique
Google for Startups: Amplifying the voices of underrepresented founders
Google Pixel Creator Labs
Lift Every Voice: Black History Month
The Greatness of Girls
Best in Education
#MBAchicTakeover Series
Backpacks for a Bright Future: Effectv Helps Kids in Need
Keep Learning and Stay Safe Under Covid-19 Through K-Pop
Lessons of Auschwitz: VR tribute by school students
Limitless Lila
Teaching Is Powerful
Vodacom eSchool – connecting learners for a better future in a time of Covid-19
Best in Emergency Relief
Bacardi Limited Covid Relief for the Community and Industry
Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO, powered by UN Foundation
Fullscreen Small Biz Playbook
One World: Together at Home
The World’s Tallest Donation Box
Your Family. Your Home. Our Healthcare Heroes. Protecting Them All.
Best in Environment and Sustainability
Fight Forever Chemicals Campaign
Reducing Food Waste: Upcycling Avocado Pits
Rethinking Single-Use Plastic Production; Why Boxed Water Is Better
The Ash Globe
The revenge of the junk | Anti-littering project by CleanMyMac X
Towards a Plastic Free Bahamas
Best in Gender Equality
#AcceptanceMatters
Combating Hate by Celebrating the Visibility of the Transgender and Non-Binary Community
Fundamental: Gender Justice. No Exceptions.
Make Some Noise: #WomensHistoryMonth
Men Pay for Toilet Paper in Public Restrooms (Like Women Do for Tampons)
The Moment
The Pledge for Paternity Leave
Best in Human Rights
‘I Was a F*cking Murderer for the State’
Living in the Unknown
Proyecto Ser Humano (The Humanity Project) – CNN en Español
Talking About Race
The Cave
Best Work for Immigration and Refugees
Everyone Counts Campaign
Fortify Rights/Doha Debates Rohingya Instagram Fellows
In the Know Next Gen: Sara Mora
Refugee Mali Digius’ hidden diamonds turn into the American Dream
Best in LGBTQ+
Global Pride Crossing
Google Pixel x Pride
Human By Orientation Pride Site
People Have Periods
Trans Lifeline
What’s Love?
Best in Medical Research
Big Virtual Climb: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society + Collab
Global Goal: Unite for Our Future
Together, Tougher Than Cancer
Best in Mental Health
Comedy Central’s #AloneTogether: Mental Health Awareness Month
I May Destroy You
MTV Teen Code on Mental Health
One Call A Day
Seize the Awkward: “Whatever Gets You Talking”
The Secret Life of Lele Pons
Best Work for Hunger and Poverty Relief
Audible + Newark
Imperfect Foods’ Reduced Cost Box Program
Invisible People: Changing the Story of Homelessness
No Kid Hungry Live with Busy Philipps
OpsRoofUp – a community response to hunger during COVID-19
The World’s Tallest Donation Box
Best in Public Health
“Meth. We’re on it.” The anti-drug campaign that worked.
Big Facts, Small Acts: Cover Our Community
Cover smart. Do your part. Slow the spread.
DiDi Hero
We Are the Countervirus
Your Family. Your Home. Our Healthcare Heroes. Protecting Them All.
Best in Racial Equality
AMC Networks Black History Month PSA Campaign
Brainwashed By Toons
Incompetent Cop Body-Slams Innocent Black Man
Lift Every Voice: Black History Month
Univision’s Se Habla USA – Confronting Racism in the Latino Community
While We Breathe Trailer
Best in Social Justice
#BlackLivesMatter
Bear Witness: Take Action
Brainwashed By Toons
Lift Every Voice: Black History Month
Protest + Vote = Change
Talk Boring to Me
Vegas’ Parking Lot Solution to Covid Homelessness Crisis
Best in Veteran and Service Support
AMERICAN LEGION POST 483 Community Service Skills Initiative Program
Best in Youth and Family
Keep Learning and Stay Safe Under COVID-19 Through K-Pop
Lessons of Auschwitz: VR tribute by school students
Lunch Doodles With Mo Willems!
The Pledge for Paternity Leave
What’s Love?
You Can’t Imagine the Reward
Best in Auto
Helping Healthcare Heroes – Mazda’s Essential Car Care Program
Subaru Brings the Love Promise to Life with 2019 Share the Love Event
Subaru Celebrates Pets by Establishing National Make a Dog’s Day
Subaru Drives Awareness to Keep Our National Parks Clean
Best in Business to Business
Backpacks for a Bright Future: Effectv Helps Kids in Need
Determina-Shaun: Engineering Hope
Helping Health Care Professionals Through the Pandemic
IBM + Yara: Building a Digital Farming Platform
Best Consumer Brand
Screw New – Restoring trust and desire for refurbished electronics
The Pledge for Paternity Leave
The Virtual National Forest
Best Cultural Institution
Museum’s Closure Due to Covid-19 Opens New Opportunity to Teach Holocaust History
Talking About Race
Best in Energy
BMW IconicSounds Electric
Disrupting the utility industry by differentiating and growing a VC brand through social media
Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades: Saving Money and Energy with DTE Energy
Best in Entertainment
#STARZAtHome
AMC Networks’ We’re With You PSA Campaign
Disney The Lion King Protect the Pride
Fight Forever Chemicals Campaign
Kitten Bowl VII
Best in Fashion, Beauty and Luxury
Big Yellow
Best in Financial Services
#AcceptanceMatters
Acts of Caring: Mobilizing CIT employees, customers and others to give back
Bank of America, World Economic Forum (Davos)
Color and Capital For Good: An Eastern Bank initiative dedicated to closing Boston’s racial wealth gap
DBS Sparks Season 2: Everyday Heroes for a Better World
Pathway to Financial Success in Schools
Powering Giving: Leveraging PayPal’s Platform to Address a Global Crisis
Best in Fitness and Wellness
Paramount’s Sonic The Hedgehog x UNICEF Kid Power
Planet Fitness United We Move
Virtual Solstice in Times Square
Best in Food and Beverage
“Drink Responsibly. #SexResponsibly” from Absolut and Pernod Ricard North America
Bacardi Limited COVID Relief for the Community & Industry
Burritos for Healthcare Heroes
Kvarøy Arctic Leads in Seafood Sustainability Standards While Supporting Hunger Relief Across the US
PepsiCo Recruits Professional Athletes & Fans to #GiveMealsGiveHope To Kids During Pandemic
The Virtual National Forest
Best in Government and Politics
#Eko4Women: International Women’s Day commemoration by the government of Lagos State, Nigeria.
Cover smart. Do your part. Slow the spread.
NYC Care: UNLOCK Access to Health Care
The World’s Tallest Donation Box
Vote.net – Make a Difference. Vote.
Winning Historic Non-Discrimination Protections Across Virginia
Best in Healthcare and Pharma
“With Love, Me” presented by Your Cancer Game Plan
An Ordinary Guy Who Did an Extraordinary Thing
Extending STAGR’s Unsurpassed Service Model With a Robust Digital Ecosystem
Spot on Nightly: A one-night-only talk show all about periods, birth control and tracking your cycle
Survivors Have Heart
The Feel Whole Challenge
Best in Hospitality and Travel
American Airlines and Stand Up to Cancer – Life’s Journeys
JetBlue Healthcare Heroes
Marriott International offers Rooms for Responders during Covid
Rachel Harrison Communications Debuts Initiative that Helps Hotels Outlast the Pandemic: Buy Now, St
Best in Live Events
“Together at Home” Instagram Concert Series
CNN Heroes
Dear Class of 2020
Women Warriors: The Voices of Change Premiere at Lincoln Center
Best in News and Media
AARP: Helping the 50+ Community Navigate Covid-19
Important, Not Important newsletter
Lessons of Auschwitz: VR tribute by school students
redfish
Start Here
The Endless Letter on Instagram Stories
Best Nonprofit Organization
“Together at Home” Instagram Concert Series
Global Goal: Unite for Our Future
Invisible People: Changing the Story of Homelessness
No Kid Hungry Live with Busy Philipps
One World: Together at Home
The Ash Globe
Best in Retail and Ecommerce
Banana Republic International Women’s Day
Grove Collaborative Commits to 100% Plastic Free Products, Pushing the CPG Industry Forward
Pantry Shop by PepsiCo
Pura Vida Bracelets for Shorty Social Good Award
The Banana Republic True Hues Collection
Best in Sports
#TheRealHeroes Project
Kick Covid FIFA 2020
Tackle Can Wait
Taking Refuge
WWE
WWE’s first-ever no makeup photo shoot
Best in STEM
Ask a Scientist: Making Science Accessible During the Pandemic
Everyone Needs Science. Science Needs Everyone.
Fast Forward Girls
Girls Get STEM, a partnership by Girl Scouts of the USA and Discovery Education
Shaping the Future of STEM
STEM Superheroes
Tech for America
Best in Technology
#BuyBlack Campaign
Accela
Determina-Shaun: Engineering Hope
Ellen’s Fearless with Ashley Graham, Presented by Total Wireless
The 2020 Call for Code Global Challenge
Vodacom eSchool – connecting learners for a better future in a time of Covid-19
Best in Television
One World: Together at Home
Best Use of Facebook
#stage13supports Asian-Owned Restaurants During the Pandemic
AARP: Helping the 50+ Community Navigate Covid-19
City of Hope and the Faces of Diabetes Innovation: Journey to a Cure
In the Know
MACI ‘Our Next Move’ Campaign
OUTLOUD: Raising Voices
THE AD COUNCIL & THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION: LISTENLINE FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN
Best Use of Instagram
“Together at Home” Instagram Concert Series
Chipotle’s Philanthropic Virtual Prom After Party
Girls Room
Gratitunes
Hey There, Human
The Endless Letter on Instagram Stories
Best Use of TikTok
Busting Myths and Casting Spells to tackle Covid-19
T-Mobile #TossYourCap TikTok Challenge
This is Quitting
Waste-Ed
Best Use of Twitter
Celebrating generations of Black entrepreneurs during Black History Month
Cultivate the Future of Farming
Music Moments
The Ad Council and Twitter ArtHouse: #StayHome #AloneTogether
VH1’s RuPaul’s Drag Race S12 RuVeal
Best Use of YouTube
I’m Gay – Eugene Lee Yang
Invisible People: Changing the Story of Homelessness
One World: Together at Home
Stephen Sharer Shorty Award Nomination
Best in Artificial Intelligence
AdTheorent and The Ad Council’s “Goodwill® Bring Good Home Mobile Advertising Campaign”
Eos Bioreactor
IBM + Chemonics: Global Health and Intelligent Supply Chains
MediFind – Your Guide to Finding Better Care, Faster.
Best Use of Call to Action
#BuyBlack Campaign
American Airlines & Stand Up to Cancer – Life’s Journeys
Comedy Central’s Power the Polls
Joke a Day for MDA
One World: Together at Home
Saving the California Flower Farmers
The 2020 Call for Code Global Challenge
Best Community or Employee Engagement
“Wise Friend” Lends a Helping Hand: AARP’s Social Response During the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Baskin-Robbins Pint-Sized Heroes
DBS Giving Tree
KFC Feeding Our Communities
KOALAS OF NYC
Nickelodeon Community Efforts (NiCE)
Plant a Tree Day with One Tree Planted
Subaru Celebrates Pets by Establishing National Make a Dog’s Day
Best Contest or Promotion
JetBlue Healthcare Heroes
Best Data Visualization
The World’s Tallest Donation Box
Best Use of Games
Celebrity Jackbox: Games and Giving
Global Pride Crossing
Best Use of a Hashtag
#VisibleActsofKindness
Kevin Bacon’s #IStayHomeFor Campaign
Showing the World That #CovidCantStopGOOD
Best Use of Humor
Scrubhub
We Save Balls
Best Use of Images
ATLANTA’S MISSING AND MURDERED: PIECES OF ATLANTA
KOALAS OF NYC
Best Use of Music and Dance
Brainwashed By Toons
Keep Learning and Stay Safe Under Covid-19 Through K-Pop
Living Lyrics: An Experiential Art Installation
Music Moments
Seize the Awkward: “Whatever Gets You Talking”
Best Organic Promotion
Donor Hero Moment of Silence
Lifting Black Voices UK
Best Use of a Podcast
AARP’s The Perfect Scam Podcast
Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction (CNN)
HBO Insecure “InsecuriTEA” Podcast
Important, Not Important podcast
Red, Blue, and Brady: Racial Justice and Gun Violence Podcast Series
True Stories of Good People
Public Service Announcement
“Drink Responsibly. #SexResponsibly” from Absolut and Pernod Ricard North America
AMC Networks’ We’re With You PSA Campaign
Contagion PSA
Juneteenth / The Loud House PSA
Juneteenth Instagram Story
Tackle Can Wait
THE AD COUNCIL & THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION: LISTENLINE FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN
Best Real-Time Response
Built By Girls exec shares about how we can support women from afar
COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO, powered by UN Foundation
Hey There, Human
KOALAS OF NYC
Ogden’s Own #SupportLocal Campaign
One World: Together at Home
The World’s Tallest Donation Box
Best Use of Storytelling
Avatars Inc
Fighting Covid on the Farm
Fortify Rights/Doha Debates Rohingya Instagram Fellows
Goalcast best in storytelling
Lessons of Auschwitz: VR tribute by school students
Music Moments
The Endless Letter on Instagram Stories
The Unified Generation
Best Use of User-Generated Content
#TeamLA Social Impact Campaign
Coping with Covid-19
ER Nurse Films Losing Battle With Covid-19
Showing the World That #CovidCantStopGOOD
The Virtual National Forest
World Bank Group – #YouthOnCovid19 Campaign
Best Use of Video
Lessons of Auschwitz: VR tribute by school students
LinkedIn Changemakers launch video series, by Brands2Life
MTV Teen Code on Mental Health
Music Moments
Spot on Nightly: A one-night-only talk show all about periods, birth control, & tracking your cycle
Tackle Can Wait
Best Business-to-Business Partnership
Backpacks for a Bright Future: Effectv Helps Kids in Need
Hunger: Not Impossible in partnership with Salesforce and Postmates
IBM + Chemonics: Global Health and Intelligent Supply Chains
Your Family. Your Home. Our Healthcare Heroes. Protecting Them All.
Best Business-NGO Partnership
“Drink Responsibly. #SexResponsibly” from Absolut, Pernod Ricard USA and RAINN
Disney The Lion King Protect the Pride
GroundTruth and No Kid Hungry partner to drive over 11k visits to meal distribution sites for COVID19
HARMAN and 1,000 Dreams Fund Support Women in STEM
Teens for Jeans
The Other Bar
Best Corporate-Community Partnership
Empowering Seniors with DBS Digital Banking
Gratitude
Nickelodeon Community Efforts (NiCE)
POSB Jolly: Fostering Inclusiveness for Singapore’s Migrant Worker Community
STEM Careers Coalition from Discovery Education
Subway elevates communities for Hunger Action Month
Best Influencer and Celebrity Partnership
#TheRealHeroes Project
Back the Front Line | Mount Sinai Strong
Celebrity Jackbox: Games and Giving
Chipotle’s Philanthropic Virtual Prom After Party
Gratitunes
Hey There, Human
Kevin Bacon’s #IStayHomeFor Campaign
T-Mobile #TossYourCap TikTok Challenge
YouTube Creators for Change on Girls’ Education with Michelle Obama
Best Media Partnership
AMC Networks’ We’re With You PSA Campaign
Fight Forever Chemicals Campaign
HBO Insecure S4 Genius Partnership
MTV’s 2020 Prom Challenge
THE AD COUNCIL & THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION: LISTENLINE FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN
The Endless Letter on Instagram Stories
Welcome to Chechnya x them. interactive article
Best Use of Animations
Akima’s Iñupiaq Shareholders
Mindfull
Teaching Is Powerful
War: Kids’ Drawings in VR animation
Best Use of Augmented Reality
Still Here Audio and AR
Best Use of Comedy
Comedy Central’s Pollwrkr App
Joke a Day for MDA
The J.J. Bot
We Save Balls
Best Documentary Short
A Piece of Me
Africatown
Ktown for All Helping Homeless People in Los Angeles’s Koreatown
Lessons of Auschwitz: VR tribute by school students
redfish
Tending to the Wounds of Homelessness During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Best Use of Live Streaming Video
“Together at Home” Instagram Concert Series
Celebrity Jackbox: Games & Giving
I May Destroy You
Museum’s Closure Due to Covid-19 Opens New Opportunity to Teach Holocaust History
Twitch Stream Aid
Verizon – PayItForwardLIVE
Best Video Series
“Together at Home” Instagram Concert Series
Good People
Gratitude
In the Know: Futurists
Justin Bieber: Seasons
LinkedIn Changemakers launch video series, by Brands2Life
VH1’s Black Girl Beauty
Best in Virtual Reality
Lessons of Auschwitz: VR tribute by school students
Still Here
War: Kids’ Drawings in VR animation