The 2026 edition of the Vertex Awards continues our mission to honor the very best in package design for Retailer-owned Brands around the world. With hundreds of entries from more than 50 countries, the competition reflects the creativity, innovation, and strategy driving this dynamic global industry.

As part of our global recognition, we award Agency of the Year in three regions, spotlighting the studios, agencies, and in-house teams that earn the highest total point scores across all categories:

• Best of Show = 10 points

• Publisher’s Choice = 7 points

• Gold = 5 points

• Silver = 3 points

• Bronze = 1 point

This year’s top honors in the Americas go to a powerhouse of global creativity and local insight: Equator.

With studios spanning Chicago, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, West Michigan, and Toronto, plus creative roots in Manchester and Nottingham, Equator has built a reputation for delivering brand experiences that are as strategic as they are stunning. Founded in 1998, the agency is now more than 300 strong, led by Global Creative Director Michael Duffy, and driven by a passion for pushing boundaries.

At Equator, they don’t just design packaging; they “transform the ‘what’ into ‘what could be’,” blending global thinking with local perspective to create brands that resonate deeply and perform brilliantly. Their 2026 Vertex Awards entries embodied that mission, earning top scores across multiple categories and securing the title of Agency of the Year – Americas.

This is no one-off. It marks Equator’s second consecutive Agency of the Year win at the Vertex Awards.

Congratulations to Equator for showing us what’s possible when ambition meets imagination.