We’re proud to be sponsoring the Brand Story category at Gather, the awards programme created by Brandland.

Brandland is a membership organisation for people and companies working in and around branding in and around Norwich, run in partnership with CreativeUEA. Gather is their annual awards programme celebrating branding work from Norwich and the surrounding areas, bringing together the local creative community for a full-day exhibition and evening awards ceremony.

Nominations open on 2nd March, and the event will take place at The Forum, Norwich, on 9th June 2026.

About Brandland

Norwich is a city with a different angle on the world, and that spirit has helped make it a hotspot for branding. Global and national brands including Barclays, Aviva, Colman’s, Start-Rite, Norwich City, Bernard Matthews, Lotus Cars, Virgin Money, Naked Wines and Kettle Chips all have roots in the region.

Alongside this heritage, the city is home to top creative agencies, university courses, Nielsen Brandbank and Britain’s biggest brand archive. Together, they form a unique creative ecosystem.

Brandland was created to bring this community together. It is not just a club, but a movement, using Norwich’s maverick, do-different spirit to lead the world towards better branding.

What Is Gather?

Gather is Brandland’s awards programme, described as part festival and part award show. It is an open celebration of branding work from Norwich and the surrounding areas, featuring: a daytime exhibition , an evening awards ceremony and drinks reception.

All shortlisted work will be professionally displayed on large exhibition boards throughout The Forum’s foyer and auditorium spaces, giving each entry a platform to be seen by the wider industry.

The Category We’re Sponsoring: Brand Story

We are sponsoring the Brand Story category.

This award celebrates the power of words and storytelling in branding. It focuses on the verbal articulation of what makes a brand special, from brand manifestos and positioning statements to brand books, websites and campaigns.

Judges are looking for story and strategy working seamlessly together through clear, smart and distinctive writing. Entries may come from internal brand teams, agencies, freelancers, or copywriters, and can be presented in a variety of formats as long as the writing is central to the work.

Other Categories at Gather

In addition to Brand Story, Gather includes:

Brand Identity – visual identity and design systems
Brand Communication – campaigns and communications shaped by brand thinking
Brand Growth – brand work that has driven measurable business transformation
Young Blood – for under-25s, including student and graduate work

There are also two special prizes:

Brand for Change – recognising social impact
Brand for Planet – recognising sustainability

The Exhibition and Awards Day

All shortlisted entries become part of a full-day exhibition at The Forum, Norwich, showcasing the best branding work from Norwich and the surrounding areas.

The day includes:

Daytime exhibition: browse the work, meet creators and connect with the community
Evening awards ceremony: judges share insights and winners are announced
The venue’s large foyer and auditorium provide a setting that reflects the scale and quality of the work on display.

Key Dates

Nominations open: 2nd March
Event date: 9th June 2026
Venue: The Forum, Norwich

Find Out More

Gather is open to anyone working in and around branding and the creative industries in Norwich and the surrounding areas, including brand owners, agencies, independents, students and graduates.

More details about submissions, categories and tickets will be shared by Brandland in the lead-up to nominations opening. To explore the awards, learn more about the categories, and stay up to date, visit Brandland’s website.

Pivotal Sponsors the Brand Story Category at Brandland’s Gather Awards