Camiel Kesbeke en Pieter Valley klauteren naar de top bij The Best Social Awards

2026-03-06 roddel

Amsterdam, vrijdag, 6 maart 2026.
Camiel Kesbeke is verkozen tot beste realityster tijdens de twaalfde editie van The Best Social Awards. Zijn prijs onderstreept de groeiende macht van televisiepersonalities op social media. Contentcreator Pieter Valley won de prestigieuze The Best Social 100, gebaseerd op 355.000 publieksstemmen. Het is een nieuw kijkmiljoen voor de sector. YouTube-groep Bankzitters pakte de prijs voor beste lange video’s. Het merk HEMA domineerde de zakelijke categorieën met vijf prijzen, waaronder beste campagne voor Skibidi School. De avond laat zien dat authentieke content en slimme merkstrategieën doorslaggevend zijn. De afzet verschuift steeds meer naar online platforms waar makers en merken rechtstreeks contact zoeken met hun publiek.

camiel kesbeke crowned best reality star

Camiel Kesbeke was named best reality star at the twelfth edition of The Best Social Awards. The recognition highlights his influence stemming from both television exposure and strong social media presence. As the son of Oos Kesbeke from the RTL series De Augurkenkoning, he leveraged public familiarity into digital engagement. His win underscores how traditional media figures successfully transition into dominant online personalities. The award ceremony took place in Theater Amsterdam, marking a significant moment in the Dutch digital content landscape [1].

Pieter Valley emerged victorious in the inaugural Best Social 100 competition, receiving the most votes among peers and audiences alike. The contest involved assembling personal top five lists from the broader creator community. With 355,000 total votes cast, this became the highest participation rate since the awards began in 2014 [355000], setting a new benchmark for audience involvement. Valley’s humorous short-form videos resonated widely, distinguishing him in a competitive field dominated by fast-paced digital storytelling [2][3].

bankzitters recognized for long-form excellence

YouTube group Bankzitters received the award for best long-video maker. Known for combining music production with comedy sketches, they boast 1.3 million subscribers on their channel. Their ability to sustain viewer interest across extended formats sets them apart in an environment favoring brevity. Beyond entertainment, they regularly perform live at major venues such as the Ziggo Dome. This accolade confirms their position as leaders in long-form Dutch digital content creation [1][4].

HEMA dominates business categories with five wins

Retail brand HEMA claimed five prizes during the business segment of the evening. They earned accolades including Best Campaign, Best Community Management, and Best Brand on both Instagram and Snapchat. The campaign ‘Skibidi School,’ developed with agency Truus, secured dual honors for creativity and audience interaction. Another collaboration with GoSpooky titled ‘From Sail to Sale’ won Best Reactivation Moment. These results illustrate HEMA’s strategic mastery in aligning brand identity with viral trends [5][6].

triumph of authentic storytelling and brand agility

The overall outcome emphasizes authenticity and responsiveness in modern digital communication. Individual creators succeeded through relatable humor and personal branding, while companies like HEMA excelled by integrating seamlessly into cultural moments. Agencies such as Truus and GoSpooky played crucial roles behind several winning entries. Public voting reached unprecedented levels, indicating rising interest in creator culture. The event confirmed that real-time connection remains central to social media success in 2026 [3][5][6].

Bronnen

HEMA Best Social Awards