The Strategic Mailing Partnership has announced the shortlist for its 2026 Mail Performance, Sustainable Campaign, Bright Futures and Lifetime Achievement awards.
The awards celebrate the mailing houses, printers, print managers and agencies behind standout mail campaigns that exceed client expectations and embrace more sustainable choices. They also recognise rising young talent across the industry, alongside individuals whose long-standing careers have made a lasting impact.
Winners will be announced at the Annual Networking and Awards Evening, held at London’s historic Steel Yard. Tickets are free for producers, print managers, and agencies, and you can register for yours here: https://eur.cvent.me/VNOzEY
This year’s judging panel brought together expertise from every corner of the mail supply chain, offering valuable insight across each award category. Last week, they met to review and discuss the entries before reaching their final decisions.
The Mail Performance Award recognises mail campaigns that have gone above and beyond client expectations. This year’s entries demonstrated the impact of smarter targeting, innovative pack design and new approaches to integrating mail at different stages of the customer journey.
The shortlisted entrants for the Mail Performance Award are:
Eight Group, Paragon, PDV, Precision Proco, The Dragonfly Agency, Webmart & Paperplanes, and Whistl Doordrop Media Ltd.
The Sustainable Campaign category focuses on campaigns that deliver environmental sustainability improvements across their lifecycle and/or wider value chain. This year’s applications covered everything from reducing waste and emissions across the supply chain to making carbon impact more measurable and embedding sustainability into ongoing strategy.
The shortlisted entrants for the Sustainable Campaign Award are:
APS Group and Webmart
The Bright Futures Award celebrates rising talent in the industry, spotlighting young people aged 18–35 who are already helping shape its future. This year’s applicants brought expertise spanning Human Resources, Project and Account Management, Planning, Business Development and Marketing.
The shortlisted entrants for the Bright Futures Award are:
Aiden Lucas, Anya Mawdsley, Callan Danvers, Francesca Baker, Isabel Mann, Isobel Arnold, Rosie Whitcomb and Sam Malanda
Introduced this year, the Lifetime Achievement Award recognises the lasting impact and enduring careers of individuals who have been part of the industry for 20+ years. From mentoring and leadership to innovation and adaptation, this year’s applicants have each made a significant contribution to the industry.
The shortlisted entrants for the Lifetime Achievement Award are:
Bob Carter from BBS Ltd, Lance Hill from Eight Group, Mairi Ball from Paragon, Paul Brough from Brough Consulting Limited, and Phil Newton from PSE Agency.
The Strategic Mailing Partnership Networking and Awards evening would not be possible without Gold Sponsor, Whistl. The event is also supported by BBS Ltd, Blake, CAI, Canon, CFH, Citipost Mail, JICMAIL, Landa, Premier Paper, PrintGreen, Ricoh, and UKMail, with special thanks going to The Print Charity and Digital Printer for their ongoing support.
