Honoring the Most Influential Women
in Media, Entertainment & Advertising
ENTRY DEADLINE: JULY 31, 2026
FINAL DEADLINE: AUGUST 7, 2026
About the Program
The 2026 Cynopsis Top Women in Media Awards are now accepting nominations. This is the industry’s defining recognition for female leaders across the full media ecosystem — and the women at the forefront of its transformation.
Cynopsis annually recognizes an elite group of women setting the agenda across every corner of media: broadcast networks, streaming platforms, ad tech, esports, digital publishing, sports, and emerging technology. From the C-suite to the director level, on-air talent to behind-the-scenes operators, data strategists to creative directors — this program honors the full spectrum of leadership.
For more than a decade, the Top Women in Media Awards have recognized hundreds of leaders from the industry’s most influential organizations. Honorees represent the full breadth of what leadership looks like today.
Categories
Why Nominate
Recognition that goes beyond the moment.
Nominating someone for Cynopsis Top Women in Media is more than a professional gesture — it’s an investment in their career and your company’s culture.
Honorees receive industry-wide visibility through Cynopsis editorial coverage, social amplification, and recognition at the 2026 Awards Gala in New York City. For organizations, it’s a signal: we see our leaders, we celebrate them, and we believe the industry should too.
Past nominees have come from organizations across the full media ecosystem — from global networks and streaming platforms to independent agencies, sports properties, and emerging ad tech companies.
Why This Program Matters Now
The media industry is transforming. Leadership has never mattered more.
Artificial intelligence is rewriting how content is created, distributed, and monetized. Streaming has become the dominant battleground. Sports rights and live programming are commanding record investment. Ad tech is navigating signal loss and the collapse of third-party data. And across all of it, the women leading these organizations are not just participants — they are architects.
The Cynopsis Top Women in Media Awards exist to recognize them, amplify their influence, and connect them to a community of peers doing the same.
INTRODUCING THE TOP WOMEN NETWORK
Part of something larger.
This year’s honorees join the Top Women Network.
The Top Women Network is a year-round, cross-industry platform uniting leaders across media, marketing, ad tech, PR and publishing. Honorees gain access to ongoing programming, thought leadership opportunities, and connections to senior decision-makers across the ecosystem.
Recognition is just the beginning.
Awards Gala
Awards Gala — November 4, 2026 · New York City
The 2026 Cynopsis Top Women in Media Awards Gala brings together the industry’s most influential leaders for an evening of recognition, celebration, and connection.
Join honorees, their teams, and peers from across the full media ecosystem — networks, streaming platforms, agencies, sports properties, ad tech, and beyond.
FAQs
ENTRY FAQs
- Q. Can a previous Top Women in Media honoree be nominated again?
A. Yes! Nominees may be nominated (and win) more than once. Each year’s entries are judged discreetly.
- Q. Can I submit a nominee into more than one category?
A. Yes! Nominees are encouraged to submit their applications in multiple categories. Each category is judged discreetly and discounted pricing applies to your 2nd category and beyond.
- Q. Can I nominate myself?
A. Absolutely! Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged. No one knows how hard you work better than YOU.
- Q. When are the honorees notified?
A. Cynopsis will announce the 2026 Top Women in Media Honorees in September 2026. Specific timing will be announced to all nominees as judging wraps up.
- Q. How do I know if my nominee is eligible?
A. The Cynopsis Top Women in Media Awards are open to any woman working in or adjacent to the media industry—across broadcast, streaming, cable, ad tech, digital publishing, sports, esports, agencies, marketing, PR, and emerging technology. Nominations are welcome at all levels, from coordinators and managers to C-suite executives. Self-nominations are encouraged. Nominees must be actively working in the industry at the time of submission.
- Q. How do I increase my chances of becoming an honoree?
A. Emphasize the accomplishments of the nominee and how they are a respected leader in the industry. Provide as many concrete and specific examples of success as possible.
- Q. Who has previously won?
A. Honorees include women from Warner Bros. Discovery, FOX Sports, AMC Networks, NBCUniversal Telemundo, The Walt Disney Company, Paramount, TNT Sports, Pluto TV, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Horizon Media, Comcast Advertising, SiriusXM Media and many more.
GALA FAQs
- Q. When will the 2026 Top Women in Media honorees be celebrated?
A. The Top Women in Media Awards celebration will take place on November 4, 2026 in NYC.
- Q. If I win, do I need to be present to accept my award?
A. It’s highly encouraged for honorees to attend the Top Women Awards Gala, but not required. We understand that everyone’s schedule or location does not allow for it.
- Q. Will I accept my award on stage?
A. Yes, all honorees in attendance are called to the stage to accept their award. Once you have your award, you will be led to our Winner’s Circle to celebrate with your whole crew.
SPONSORSHIPS
Interested in aligning your brand with influential women shaping the future of media?
Sponsorship opportunities are available across the Cynopsis Top Women in Media Awards and the broader Top Women Network, offering visibility and engagement before, during, and after the awards celebration.
Contact Vernesa Merdanovic at vmerdanovic@accessintel.com for more information.
TITLE SPONSOR
OFFICIAL PR PARTNER
Contact
Questions?
Email Mary-Lou French at mfrench@accessintel.com for assistance.
Interested in Sponsorship Opportunities?
Email Vernesa Merdanovic at vmerdanovic@accessintel.com.