Merch of the Year 2026
Hungary's first creative merchandise award
Merch of the Year 2026 exists to showcase and recognise merchandise projects that go beyond the traditional logoed giveaway and create real business, community or brand value.
Enter nowAbout the award
The award looks for companies, brands and organisations that have delivered deliberately designed merchandise projects over the past period – whether an employee collection, partner gifting, event merch or a merch collaboration.
At OBIRI Studio we believe merchandise is no longer a promotional item, but one of the most important physical touchpoints a brand has.
Who can enter?
Any company, organisation, institution, brand or agency operating in Hungary may enter, as may creative professionals and sole traders, with a merchandise project delivered between 30 June 2025 and 30 June 2026. An individual entrant must hold the usage rights that the submitted project requires for the entry.
Entry materials
What do you need to submit?
A presentation of up to 10 pages
Your entry should include the following:
- the name of the project
- the name of the Entrant
- a short description of the project
- the business goal of the merchandise project
- the target audience
- the connection between the brand and that audience
- a description of the merchandise concept
- why those product categories were chosen
- the results of the project (optional)
- a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 15 photos
- optionally a video or campaign material
Please put all of the above into a presentation of up to 10 pages, and attach any videos separately.
Only merchandise projects that were actually delivered and produced are eligible.
Judging
Evaluation criteria
The expert jury will assess entries on criteria including:
- How clear the business or brand-building goal is
- The strategic role of the merchandise
- Creativity and originality
- Quality of the design
- How well the product choice is justified
- Quality of execution
- The fit between brand and audience
- Usability
- Innovation
- Complexity of delivery
- Results achieved
What you can win
Prizes
1st place
Merch of the Year 2026 Grand Prize
worth HUF 1.5–2 million net
Development of a custom merchandise collection with OBIRI Studio, from strategy to finished product.
The prize includes:
- a merchandise strategy and concept workshop;
- design and development of custom merchandise products;
- a first production run;
- two tickets to the POV conference;
- featured coverage in the communication around the award.
2nd place
OBIRI Studio Merch Voucher
worth HUF 1 million net
Development of one custom merchandise product with OBIRI Studio.
The prize includes:
- concept creation and product design;
- product development and production;
- a production run of 30 pieces in total;
- two tickets to the POV conference.
3rd place
Limited Edition Tote Bag
worth HUF 500,000–700,000 net
20 limited edition tote bags designed in OBIRI Studio's own visual language, for your team, your clients or your partners.
The prize includes:
- 20 limited edition OBIRI Studio tote bags;
- two tickets to the POV conference.
Shortlist gifting
Every shortlisted entrant receives the Merch of the Year capsule collection as a gift.
Key dates
Timeline
Entry
Show everyone what good merch looks like
HUF 45,000 + VAT per project
Early bird: HUF 35,000 + VAT – until 14 AugustThe entry fee covers:
- administration of the entry;
- evaluation by the expert jury;
- featuring the project in the communication around the award (with your consent);
- featured coverage if the project is shortlisted.
Background
Why Merch of the Year exists
Merchandise today is far more than a logoed T-shirt or a giveaway.
A well designed collection can build community, strengthen the employer brand, deepen client and partner relationships, raise brand visibility, or even become a revenue stream in its own right.
Merch of the Year sets out to showcase this good practice, to inspire the Hungarian market, and to recognise the most outstanding merchandise projects year after year.