D&AD Rankings 2026 Methodology
Each year D&AD publishes their official table of the most successful companies, networks, countries and clients. The rankings are based on the results of the D&AD Awards. This page offers an overview of the methodology we use to determine each ranking.
Pencil winners and shortlisted companies are allocated points for each win. The points are then accumulated to determine the following categories:
- Advertising Agency of the Year
- Design Agency of the Year
- Production Company of the Year
- Client of the Year
- Brand of the Year
- Country of the Year
- Network of the Year
- Independent Agency Network of the Year
- Independent Agency of the Year
- Brand-Side Agency of the Year
- Individual Creative Rankings of the Year
Top-ranking winners will be announced at the D&AD Awards Ceremony in September 2026. All remaining winners, along with the full ranking tables, will be published in the D&AD Annual.
Pencils = points
When a company or client is credited on a piece of winning work, this win translates into points. The points depend on the award level, outlined below:
Black Pencil = 200 Points
White Pencil = 120 Points
Yellow Pencil = 90 Points
Graphite Pencil = 60 Points
Wood Pencil = 30 Points
The Shortlist = 10 Point
The agency, network, individual or client with the highest number of points wins.
Credits are provided by the entrant on the D&AD entry site. All results are calculated based on this information.
Note: Only credits submitted at the point of entry via the D&AD entry site are used and cannot be changed retrospectively.
If the companies or networks behind the winning work have since merged with others, credits will reflect the structure in place at the time of release.
Additional criteria
If two companies are ranked equally, then:
- In the first instance, we prioritise the company that received the higher level of awards
- If they are still equal, we prioritise the company with the higher number of total awards
- If they are still equal, we prioritise the company with more unique entries
If multiple agencies are credited for a piece of work, or in instances of collaboration, each agency will receive the full points due.
Some company types, which are not deemed appropriate for the rankings, are excluded. A distinct methodology therefore applies to each ranking.
In all cases, points are not attributed to the D&AD President’s Award winner.
Methodologies
Expand to find out more about specific rankings categories.
Advertising Agency of the Year
Design Agency of the Year
Production Company of the Year
Client of the Year
Country of the Year
Network of the Year
Independent Network of the Year
Independent Agency of the Year
Brand-side Agency of the Year
Individual Creative Rankings of the Year