Digiday reports that Kepler, Samsung Ads, and Kraft Heinz are among the winners of the 2026 Digiday Media Buying and Planning Awards. The outlet says the winning entries reflect a media market increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making, and integrated audience strategies. According to the coverage, multiple programs use AI tools to find and engage high-value audiences. Several campaigns also adjust tactics during active flight, using performance data to improve results in real time. The winners further emphasize coordinated, cross-channel planning, with organizations designing omnichannel efforts that align messaging and targeting across different platforms rather than treating each channel separately. While the specific campaigns and categories are not detailed in the provided excerpt, the common thread across winning work is the combination of audience targeting powered by data and AI with operational flexibility for ongoing optimization, alongside planning that spans multiple media formats. The report frames the awards as an indicator of how advertisers and media buyers are applying technology and analytics to planning and execution.