Introducing the Pepper Hot 30: Celebrating the Humans Behind Social Marketing's Best Work

Why We're Creating the Pepper Hot 30

As we’re all familiar, marketing is an industry built on recognition.

Every year, we celebrate the campaigns that captured attention, the brands that achieved extraordinary growth and the creative work that set new standards. We analyse results, share case studies and spotlight the strategies and on-camera talent that delivered success.

What we talk about less often are the people behind those moments.

Great social media marketing is rarely the work of just one person. It’s the result of talented teams collaborating across disciplines, working together to combine expertise and perspectives. But within those teams are individuals whose leadership, vision and determination helped to make it all happen and move the industry forward.

They’re not always the loudest in the room. Their names may not always be attributed to campaigns, their faces aren’t in the content, but their impact is felt in the work, the teams around them and in the marketers they inspire along the way.

Ultimately, we believe that marketing is about people.

A human-first philosophy shapes everything we do, from how we help brands connect with audiences to how we build communities within the industry.

So, we’re launching the Pepper Hot 30 List: an annual list recognising the marketers shaping the future of our industry.

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Meet the Founding Class of 2026

For our inaugural year, we'll be recognising 30 exceptional marketers from in-house brand teams across the UK.

We're looking for the people behind the strategies, campaigns and decisions that are helping brands grow, stay relevant and connect with audiences in new ways. Leaders that are building high-performing teams, championing fresh ideas and finding opportunities where others see challenges.

Some may be established leaders, while others may be emerging voices making a significant impact in their organisation. Job title and years of experience aren’t what’s important: it’s the influence they’re having on their business, teams and wider social marketing community.

Which marketer do you know that makes people take notice, whose leadership has helped others succeed, and whose contribution is helping to shape the future of our industry?

More Than a List

The Pepper Hot 30 is about more than just recognising great marketers.

We’re shining a light on the people behind the work, celebrating their achievements and bringing together a community of marketers who are helping to shape what’s next.

Those selected for the Founding Class of 2026 will be featured across Pepper’s channels through interviews, editorial features and social media spotlights, giving them a platform to share their stories, experiences and perspectives with the wider industry. We’ll also provide a dedicated PR and social media toolkit, for both individuals and brands they represent to celebrate their inclusion on the list.

Then there’s the event.‍

‍In August 2026, we’ll bring together the Founding Class for the first-ever Pepper Hot 30 Celebration Event. An opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, meet other marketers doing incredible things and spend an evening celebrating the people behind some of the UK’s most exciting brands.‍

‍Our ambition is for the Hot 30 to become more than just an annual list. We’re building a community, where marketers can share ideas, build relationships and continue inspiring one another long after the list is published.‍

‍As the programme grows, members of the Founding Class will be invited back to help share future editions of the Hot 30 as judges, helping us recognise the next wave of marketing talent across the UK.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for marketers working within in-house teams who are making a meaningful impact. 

The people driving growth, building brands, leading teams, championing new ideas and helping shape the industry through their work.

Some may be experienced marketers with years of experience behind them. Others may be rising stars making a significant impact early in their careers. What matters isn’t age or tenure, but the contribution you’re making, the influence you’re having and the results you’re helping to create.

Whether you’re leading a social media marketing function, building a category-defining brand, or quietly making a huge difference behind the scenes, we want to hear your story.

Nominations are open to markets across brand, growth, digital, social, content, customer marketing and leadership roles, provided they’re working within an in-house brand team based in the UK.

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To be considered for the Pepper Hot 30 2026, nominees must:

• Work within an in-house brand social marketing team (agency, consultancy and freelance marketers are not eligible)

• Hold responsibility for social media, social strategy, content, community, influencer marketing or digital brand communications

• Be based in the UK

• Work for an established consumer or B2B brand with significant market presence, growth potential or cultural relevance

• Be currently active in their role

Nominations Are Now Open

If there's someone in your team, organisation or network who deserves recognition, we'd love to hear about them.

Whether you're nominating a colleague, a manager, a peer or even yourself, every submission will be carefully reviewed by the Pepper team.

Nominations are completely free and will remain open until 19:00 BST, 10th July 2026

Know someone who belongs on the Pepper Hot 30? 

Click here to submit your nomination, or use the form below:

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