CMA Announces 2026 CMA Awards Co-Chairs and Introduces Four New Awards to Recognize Excellence in Canadian Marketing

Nuno Bamberg, people-first brand strategist and Nancy Crimi-Lamanna, distinguished, award-winning creative leader, bring innovation and expertise to this year’s CMA Awards

The Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) today announced the co-chairs for this year’s CMA Awards: Nuno Bamberg, senior vice-president, brand and marketing at Sleep Country Canada Inc. and Nancy Crimi-Lamanna, chief creative officer at TBWA\Canada. Both bring immense industry expertise to lead this year’s celebration of marketing excellence, as the CMA also introduces four new categories reflecting the industry landscape.

“Marketing plays a vital role in contributing to our economy, our society and our culture, and excellence in marketing deserves to be recognized. I’m delighted to welcome Nuno and Nancy as co-chairs for this year’s CMA Awards. Their leadership, expertise and passion truly reflect the values of our industry, and the CMA’s mission to elevate marketing,” said Esther Benzie, president and CEO of the CMA. “I’m also excited to introduce a new discipline and four new featured awards that shine a spotlight on the incredible work happening across Canadian marketing.”

Bamberg is a brand strategist known for reshaping some of Canada’s most recognizable brands through an entrepreneurial and insight-driven approach. As senior vice-president of brand and marketing at Sleep Country Canada, he leads brand strategy and marketing across a multi-brand portfolio including Sleep Country, Casper and Endy, with a focus on strengthening customer connection and supporting long-term growth. He is known for pairing commercial clarity with a people-first approach. Under his leadership, the company earned national recognition as Brand of the Year in 2025, marking a significant milestone in its brand transformation.

“The CMA Awards are an opportunity to recognize the work that is shaping the future of marketing and driving meaningful business impact,” said Bamberg. “I’m honoured to help celebrate the talent and ideas pushing the industry forward.”

Crimi-Lamanna is a globally recognized creative leader known for translating brand purpose into impactful ideas, products and experiences. As chief creative officer at TBWA\Canada, she has played a key role in elevating the agency’s creative reputation, contributing to its recognition on the global stage and across major industry awards. Her work spans integrated campaigns, digital innovation and brand storytelling, with a focus on creating ideas that drive both cultural relevance and business impact.

“Having served on juries, panels and advisory boards, being chosen as a co-chair for the CMA Awards is both exciting and meaningful,” said Crimi-Lamanna. “It’s an exciting time in Canadian marketing as new technologies and evolving platforms continue to reshape how brands connect with audiences and bring ideas to life.”

New awards reflect an evolving marketing landscape

For the first time, the CMA Awards will include sponsorship as a dedicated signature award discipline. Sponsorship has evolved into one of the most strategic and measurable pillars of modern marketing. While elements of sponsorship appear across multiple disciplines, including brand building, customer experience and shopper marketing, engagement and PR, there has historically been no dedicated discipline. The addition recognizes sophisticated, multi-channel programs that drive brand affinity, community impact and business outcomes, and ensures the CMA Awards reflect the full breadth of contemporary marketing excellence in Canada.

Along with the new discipline, this year’s ceremony will also include four new featured award categories:

• The Inclusive Marketing Award, sponsored by RBC, recognizes the best use of inclusive marketing practices grounded in intentional strategy and authentic community engagement. It goes beyond casting, requiring a commitment to representation and authenticity across all aspects of a campaign, from concept development, design and creative execution to media placement and measurement.
• The Creator Content Award recognizes the best use of creator content partnerships across formats, including social content, long-term ambassadors, product collaborations, experiential or event-based partnerships, editorial or platform-led storytelling.
• The Best Use of AI Award, sponsored by Deloitte, recognizes brands and agencies that are leveraging AI in innovation and that utilize effective ways to address marketing challenges, enhance customer experiences and deliver meaningful business results.
• The Trade Desk Award celebrates the Canadian brands that best harnessed the power of digital advertising across the open internet including websites, streaming platforms and apps. The award recognizes campaigns where smart strategy, data-driven insight and compelling creative come together through open, accountable and brand-safe environments.

Each year, the CMA Awards show honours marketing professionals who have set new standards and created award-winning campaigns that have made a lasting impact in their respective industries. This year’s CMA Awards will be presented at Toronto’s Westin Harbour Castle on November 13, 2026.

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