The City of Cambridge has earned international acclaim for its innovative communication and marketing initiatives, taking home three awards and an honourable mention at the 2025 MarCom Awards — one of the world’s most prestigious competitions celebrating excellence in marketing and communications.
The city’s achievements were announced this week, marking a significant milestone for the municipality’s communications department. The MarCom Awards, administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), annually honour outstanding achievement by creative professionals involved in the concept, direction, design, and production of marketing and communication materials and programs.
Since its founding in 2004, the MarCom Awards have grown into one of the largest and most respected creative competitions globally, drawing approximately 7,000 entries each year from across dozens of countries.
This year, Cambridge’s Communications team secured the coveted Platinum Award in the Integrated Marketing category for its innovative “W.I.T.Y. the Budget Bot” campaign. The initiative — named for the acronym What’s Important To You — introduced an interactive digital chatbot to encourage residents to share their views on the upcoming 2026 Mayor’s Budget.
The project’s focus on accessibility, engagement, and community participation impressed judges, earning Cambridge the highest distinction available in the competition. The Platinum Award recognizes work that demonstrates exceptional quality, creativity, and resourcefulness — placing Cambridge’s campaign among the best in the world.
In addition to its Platinum win, the city received two Gold MarCom Awards: one for its Canada Day special event marketing campaign, and another for the Human City video series, which highlights the stories, spirit, and vibrancy of Cambridge’s people and places.
The communications team also received an honourable mention for its Pause Before You Park campaign, an initiative aimed at improving parking safety and raising awareness around accessible parking spaces.
“These awards highlight the creativity and dedication of our Communications team in finding new ways to connect with residents and celebrate what makes Cambridge unique. Their work ensures our community stays informed, engaged, and proud of the city we call home,” said Mayor Jan Liggett.
The awards are part of a growing trend among municipalities investing in digital and community-based engagement strategies to strengthen local democracy and improve public trust. Cambridge’s win positions it among a small but growing number of Canadian cities recognized for innovation in government communication.
“I’m incredibly proud of our Communications team for earning this prestigious international recognition. Their skills, innovation, and relentless dedication to meaningful storytelling shine through in everything they do,” said Alana Russell, Director of Communications. “This award is a reflection of their hard work, creativity, and the high standards they bring to representing the City of Cambridge both locally and now on the world stage.”
The MarCom Awards recognize a wide range of communication excellence across industries — including government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors — with categories spanning print, digital media, video, and strategic communication. Previous Canadian recipients have included national marketing agencies, public institutions, and private companies, making Cambridge’s achievement a significant endorsement of municipal-level innovation.
The recognition also underscores a broader shift in how cities communicate with residents. With the growing use of interactive digital tools, local governments are seeking new ways to make complex processes, like budget planning, more transparent and engaging. Cambridge’s “W.I.T.Y.” bot exemplifies this trend, transforming an often technical process into an accessible and participatory experience for citizens.
For a city of roughly 140,000 residents located in the heart of Waterloo Region, the awards bring both prestige and validation for the municipality’s ongoing efforts to strengthen civic engagement and promote community pride.
The City of Cambridge joins a distinguished list of international winners from across sectors, reaffirming its commitment to creativity, collaboration, and excellence in communication.
To view the City’s award-winning submissions and learn more about the MarCom Awards, visit marcomawards.com.