What Telly Awards does

The Telly Awards is a privately held awards organization founded in 1979 and headquartered in New York that recognizes excellence in video and television across all screens. It operates an annual submission cycle through an online entry platform (entries.tellyawards.com) where organizations and individuals submit video work for evaluation by a Judging Council of over 250 industry executives drawn from networks, production companies, agencies, studios, and streaming platforms including Netflix, HBO, BBC, YouTube, and IMAX. Entries are scored against standards of excellence in content, production, and overall experience, awarding Gold, Silver, and Bronze honors, with an additional People's Telly Award determined by public vote. Season 47 received nearly 14,000 entries from 55 countries, representing the largest volume in the organization's history.

The organization's core product is the annual awards competition spanning eight main verticals: Branded Content, Commercials & Marketing, Immersive/Interactive/XR, TV/Online Series/Shows/Segments, Non-Broadcast, Social Video, Film & Shorts, and Animation (the last integrated in 2022 via the Collision Awards acquisition). Supporting products extend the platform year-round: the Hot Takes monthly video interview series (Season 6), the Throughlines conversation programming, the Screening Series of in-person events in six U.S. cities, the Telly Awards Trend Report, and the Winner Resources and Telly Awards Store offerings (statuettes, badges, branded merchandise).

Telly Awards generates revenue primarily through unit-priced entry fees (some categories priced at $55), one-time winner package and statuette purchases via its e-commerce store, and ancillary programming tied to its community of winners, judges, and 20+ media partners (NAB Show, AWN, VIEW Conference, Film Fatales, ACM SIGGRAPH, Runway ML's AIFF). Go-to-market is event-driven and self-serve, with global participation from production companies, advertising agencies, brands, broadcasters, and independent creators. The organization is led by Managing Director Amanda Needham.

Name

Telly Awards

Legal name

The Telly Awards

Website

https://tellyawards.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Telly Awards is a private, 47-year-old New York-based awards organization that annually evaluates nearly 14,000 video and television entries from 55 countries through a 250+-member industry Judging Council, serving production companies, agencies, brands, and independent creators worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Awards and Recognition Programs

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Virtual Awards Ceremonies & Competitions (Judging, Voting) (MPAGAOAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Premiere, Awards & Festival Access (HSACAMAD), Trade Show Giveaways & Event Premiums (BPAFAMAG)

Keywords

• Video awards program
• Television awards
• Creative recognition
• Industry judging
• Branded content awards

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Entry Fees: Organizations and individuals pay entry fees to submit their video work for Telly Award consideration across various categories. Entry fees vary by category, with some categories priced at $55.
2. Merchandise and Statuettes: Winners can purchase personalized statuettes, winner packages, certificates, and branded merchandise through the Telly Awards Store to commemorate their achievement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Telly Awards is an annual awards program that evaluates and recognizes excellence in video and television content across all screens and formats. Entrants pay per-category fees to submit work that is judged by a council of 250+ industry executives drawn from networks, production companies, agencies, studios, and streaming platforms. Winners receive Gold, Silver, or Bronze recognition along with branded merchandise and promotional assets.

Product overview

The Telly Awards is an annual awards organization that honors excellence in video and television across all screens. The core product is The Telly Awards competition itself, which evaluates entries across eight main award categories: Branded Content, Commercials & Marketing, Immersive/Interactive/XR, TV/Online Series/Shows/Segments, Non-Broadcast, Social Video, Film & Shorts, and Animation. Supporting products include the People’s Telly Awards (public voting competition), Hot Takes video interview series, Throughlines conversation series, Screening Series in-person events, and the annual Telly Awards Trend Report. The Judging Council (250+ industry executives) and Winner Resources (templates, badges, merchandise) round out the ecosystem. Founded in 1979, the organization now receives over 13,000 entries annually from creators and brands globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Telly Awards Annual awards competition recognizing excellence in video and television content across all screens; open to production companies, brands, agencies, broadcasters, and creators globally who pay per-category entry fees for judging by the Telly Judging Council.
• People's Telly Awards Public voting competition where shortlisted entries from every category are voted on by the global public, offering additional exposure and recognition beyond the Judging Council awards.
• Telly Awards Store

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AIFF (Runway ML)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022AIFF is a film festival celebrating art and artists embracing new and emerging AI techniques for filmmaking. Established in 2022 and backed by Runway ML, an applied AI research company. The partnership brings AI-focused recognition to the Telly Awards ecosystem.
• Animation World Network (AWN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe largest animation-related publishing group on the Internet, providing readers from over 151 countries with animation industry information. Partnered with Telly Awards for expanded animation and VFX categories.
• Skwigly Animation MagazineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe UK's longest-running animation magazine, providing coverage of animation news, interviews, reviews, and tutorials. Partnered as part of the Telly Awards' expanded animation vertical.
• ReelAbilities Film FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe largest festival in the U.S. dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Founded in New York City in 2007.
• Film FatalesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit advocating for parity in the film industry and supporting an inclusive community of women and non-binary feature film and television directors nationwide.
• SeriesFestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit organization championing and empowering artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling by providing year-round opportunities for creators and industry experts to connect.
• The Video ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA global nonprofit media organization supporting nonfiction filmmakers and video journalists to tell bold stories. Helps democratize the media landscape by fostering compassionate storytelling.
• NAB ShowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe world's largest broadcast, audio & video event serving as the incubator for excellence in content creation for more than 80 years. Provides training and tools for the industry.
• ProductionHUBminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA global network of local crew and vendors serving the film and video production industry, helping find and hire production talent and equipment.
• The GothamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe largest and longest-running nonprofit organization for independent film and storytelling in the U.S., having supported over 10,000 projects and 30,000 filmmakers.
• FWD-DocminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA global, intersectional community of disabled creators and allies working in media to build a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable entertainment industry.
• Seed&SparkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA crowdfunding and educational platform ensuring all kinds of stories are told and storytellers have avenues to spark vibrant conversations with their work.
• We Are ParableminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn award-winning film exhibition company providing audiences with opportunities to experience Black Cinema in culturally relevant, memorable ways. Has worked with Disney, BFI, and filmmakers including Spike Lee.
• NYWIFTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York Women in Film & Television, a leading advocacy organization working to support women at every stage of their careers in the moving image industry. Part of a network of 60+ organizations worldwide.
• VIEW ConferenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA world-class international event on Animation, VFX, Games, AI, AR, VR, XR, MR, Virtual Production, storytelling, and immersive media featuring talks, workshops, and masterclasses.
• ACM SIGGRAPHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn international community of researchers, artists, developers, filmmakers, scientists, and business professionals with a shared interest in computer graphics and interactive techniques.
• Journeys in FilmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing global education through film, promoting understanding of diverse world cultures and encouraging civic engagement.
• KinemaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA global film distribution and exhibition platform built for film creators, enabling distribution through direct rentals, interactive streaming events, and live screenings.
• Green The BidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA grassroots initiative and community supporting the advertising industry in shifting to zero-waste, carbon neutral, sustainable, and regenerative practices.
• Portrait Creative NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe vetted network for modern media and entertainment helping members manage relationships, tap into contacts, and stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.
• StashminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA showcase for exceptional motion design, animation, and VFX projects, providing access to an archive of motion projects and behind-the-scenes features for subscribers in over 40 countries.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Clio Awards: Annual awards program honoring excellence in advertising, entertainment, and creative work across categories that overlap heavily with Telly's branded content and commercials verticals. Targets agencies, brands, and production companies with an entry-fee-driven model.
• The Webby Awards: Awards program honoring excellence on the internet including video, social, and digital content. Direct competitor for digital-native creators and brands, particularly in social video and emerging-format categories that Telly has expanded into.
• Shorty Awards: Awards honoring excellence in social media, content marketing, and digital video. Overlaps with Telly's Social Video, Creator, and Branded Content categories, targeting the same agencies and brand-side marketers.
• The One Show: One of the advertising industry's most prestigious awards programs, recognizing creative excellence across disciplines including film/video, interactive, and branded entertainment. Competes for the same agency and brand-side entrants.

Broad incumbents

• Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity: The largest and most prestigious global advertising and creative awards festival. Operates the same entry-fee-driven model but at significantly higher price points and prestige tier, anchoring the upper end of the awards market Telly occupies.
• D&AD Awards: UK-based creative awards program recognizing design and advertising excellence, including film and branded content categories. Competes for global agency submissions with a Pencil-tier prestige hierarchy.
• National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmy Awards): The premier U.S. television awards body, recognizing programming excellence. Telly positions as more accessible and screen-agnostic compared to the Emmy's broadcast heritage, but the Emmy remains the prestige anchor Telly's broadcast-side winners pursue.

Emerging players

• Tribeca Festival: Major film and storytelling festival that has expanded into branded content and immersive storytelling. Overlaps with Telly's Film & Shorts, Branded Content, and Immersive/Interactive/XR categories among premium creators.
• SXSW Film & TV Awards: Film, TV, and content awards component of SXSW, recognizing narrative, episodic, and digital content. Overlaps with Telly's television, documentary, and branded storytelling categories, especially among premium independent creators.
• Collision Awards: Specialized awards program for Animation, VFX, and Motion Design that was integrated into the Telly Awards in 2022. Now operates within Telly, but historically was a peer for the animation vertical that Telly absorbed.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TellyAwards

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Telly Awards