The Craft Beer Marketing Awards (CBMAS), fondly known as The Crushies, announced the commencement of its 2024 Awards Season and marks a significant milestone as it enters its fifth year of competition. The CBMAS is open for submissions from creative minds in the craft beverage industry worldwide, including craft beverage makers, their agencies, artists and marketing partners, the organization states.
New for the 2024 Awards Season
Global-Only Categories: The CBMAS has transitioned to a fully global competition, eliminating regional distinctions and enabling all entrants to vie for the title of the world’s best in their respective categories. The judging process relies on a transparent digital scoring system, assessed by a panel of more than 600 international experts in beverage, marketing and design, according to the organization.
“We did away with local regions, now every entry competes against others like it submitted from anywhere in the world. I believe this change will fuel the creativity and innovation of an already fierce competition,” said Jim McCune, Co-founder, CBMAS, in a news release.
Global Crushies will be awarded exclusively to the top performer in each category, with Platinum and Gold Crushies recognizing those who achieve the next highest-ranked scores.
Compete by Beverage-Type: Acknowledging the expanding world of craft beverages, CBMAS invites entries from beyond craft beer. Now, hard seltzer, non-alcoholic beer, ready-to-drink cocktails (RTD) and cider/mead can compete exclusively within their own beverage type instead of against each other, the organization states.
Isuzu Beer Truck Design Competition: In partnership with Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, CBMAS is introducing a new category, where participants can design a beer truck wrap to celebrate craft beer. The winner will have their design displayed on Isuzu’s Ultimate Craft Beer Truck at the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference in Las Vegas, according to the organization.
“Isuzu is proud to collaborate with the CBMAS and sponsor the celebration of craft beer’s creativity!” said Brian Tabel, Assistant Vice President of Marketing, in the release. “Our Ultimate Craft Beer Truck will make a great canvas to showoff the creative muscle in the industry during the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference. Cheers to all the creators who drive our industry forward in style!”
Crushie Winners Map for Consumers: A new feature this season, the Crushie Winners Map aims to drive foot traffic to award-winning brands by boosting exposure to their business location to consumers, the organization states.
“Our vision behind the new Crushie Winners Map is to help craft enthusiasts uncover exciting new beverage brands from within our Crushie winners universe,” said Jackie DiBella-Curry, Co-founder, CBMAS, in the release.
CBMAS Open for Submissions
The Crushies are accepting entries now until February 5th for its 2024 season. The live-streamed awards ceremony is scheduled during the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference in Las Vegas, NV in April. Entries are open to marketing professionals in the brewing industry, including hard seltzer, RTDs and cider/mead worldwide, according to the organization.
