BATUMI, GEORGIA — Ad Black Sea, the region’s premier international festival of creativity, has officially announced its landmark 10th anniversary edition, taking place from September 10 to 12, 2026, in the coastal hub of Batumi, Georgia. Under the theme “ON THE EDGE: Festival of Creative Resistance,” this decade-milestone edition explores creativity at its limits — positioning original thought, bold communication, and unyielding craft as vital forms of cultural and professional resistance in an era of global transformation.
Uniquely situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia naturally embodies the festival’s concept of living, creating, and pushing boundaries on the edge. This distinctive geopolitical and cultural vantage point makes the seaside city of Batumi the ultimate meeting ground — seamlessly bridging Western strategic thinking with Eastern creative flair. By serving as a dynamic intersection where diverse cultural perspectives collide, Ad Black Sea reinforces its core mission: to connect creative industries, foster cross-border dialogue, and unite innovators, agencies, and thinkers from across the globe.
Over the past decade, Ad Black Sea has grown from a regional gathering into an influential global event connecting Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Europe, and the wider international creative community. Drawing up to 1,500 decision-makers, agency leaders, creative directors, brand strategists, and tech innovators annually, the festival serves as the definitive “creative New Year” — a melting pot where serious, boundary-pushing work meets high-octane inspiration, world-class educational sessions, and legendary networking.
A Star-Studded Lineup of Global Creative Heavyweights
To mark its 10th anniversary, Ad Black Sea 10 brings together an unprecedented roster of global industry icons, visionary artists, and agency trailblazers whose work has reshaped modern advertising, design, and culture worldwide:
- David Droga (Vice Chair, Accenture) — a legendary powerhouse who redefined global advertising by pioneering non-traditional activations, cultural stunts, and integrated case-study storytelling at Cannes Lions
- Cindy Gallop (Founder & CEO, MakeLoveNotPorn) — advertising icon and champion of equality; inaugural Glass Lion Jury President at Cannes Lions, dedicated to dismantling outdated, male-dominated business models and spearheading the future of creative culture
- Natasha Jen (Partner, Pentagram New York) — renowned design leader at the world’s most acclaimed independent design consultancy, creating transformative visual brand identity platforms across global sectors
- Mihnea Gheorghiu (Global Chief Creative Officer, Le Pub) — world-renowned creative behind culture-defining, award-winning campaigns for premier global brands like Diesel and Heineken
- Catalin Dobre (CCO & Co-CEO, McCann Worldgroup Romania) — Festival Jury Chairman & Speaker; multi-award-winning creative leader who has driven CEE’s creative resurgence onto the global stage
- Johanna Jaskowska (Visual Artist & Creative Technologist) — pioneer in digital art, AR, and creative tech, exploring the intersections of human expression, identity, and emerging digital frontiers
“Living, creating, and fighting on the edge is no longer just a metaphor — it is where the most meaningful, transformative creative work is born today,” said Vato Kavtaradze, President of the Festival. “For 10 years, Ad Black Sea has been a sanctuary for principled creativity. In 2026, we invite the global advertising and design community to stand on the edge with us, celebrate groundbreaking work, and redefine what creative industries can achieve.”
International Awards Program: Call for Entries
The Ad Black Sea 10 Awards are now officially open for entries, inviting creative agencies, independent studios, digital production houses, and brand marketing teams worldwide to submit their most innovative work.
Judged by four specialized international jury panels comprising over 30 top-tier global experts from more than 20 countries, winning an Ad Black Sea metal represents an internationally recognized seal of creative excellence, driving global agency visibility and professional recognition.
Core Competition Categories:
- Brand Experience & Activation
- Creative Effectiveness
- Creative Strategy
- Design & Branding
- Digital & Mobile
- Film
- Film Craft
- Media
- Print & Publishing
- Out of Home
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Visual Craft
Winners will be awarded Gold, Silver, Bronze, and the prestigious Grand Prix. Winning at Ad Black Sea provides entrant agencies, clients, and individual creatives with direct exposure to global agency networks, international press coverage, and placement in regional and global creative rankings, most prominent of which is the One Club Global Creative Rankings.
- Final Entry Deadline: August 19, 2026
- Submit Entries Online: adblacksea.awardhub.org
International Media Accreditation & Press Coverage
Ad Black Sea 2026 invites international trade journalists, editors, broadcast crews, and digital content creators to apply for official Press Accreditation. Accredited media representatives will gain exclusive access to:
- Full Festival Access: Unrestricted entry to all keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and the newly expanded Creators Stage
- Exclusive Interviews: Reserved access with priority scheduling for 1-on-1 interviews with headline speakers, including David Droga, Cindy Gallop, Natasha Jen, and the Jury Chairs
- Media Asset Hub: Immediate access to high-resolution photo galleries and broadcast-quality video commentary
To request press accreditation, please submit credentials to press@adblacksea.com before August 25, 2026.
Media Contact & Press Enquiries
- Contact Person: Ketevan Giorgobiani, Communications & PR Department
- Email: press@adblacksea.com
- Phone / WhatsApp: +995 599 226 579
- Official Website: adblacksea.com
- Venue: Sheraton Batumi Hotel, Batumi, Georgia
About Ad Black Sea
Founded in 2015, Ad Black Sea is an annual international festival of creativity held in the coastal city of Batumi, Georgia. Bringing together up to 1,500 delegates from across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and beyond, the festival celebrates creative excellence, fosters global collaboration, and honors groundbreaking campaigns across advertising, branding, digital communication, and design.
