Kiwi agencies are celebrating after the winners of the Campaign Asia Agency of the Year awards were announced overnight in Singapore.
Campaign Asia is judged by client marketers across the Asia Pacific region who review agency innovation, key work and recognition, business performance, client retention and relationships, culture and talent management and industry contribution.
Scoring a hattrick
Special has walked away with a trifecta of Agency of the Year titles, defending its position as New Zealand Creative Agency of the Year and Integrated Agency of the Year.
Colenso BBDO and Motion Sickness were both awarded silver in the Creative Agency of the Year category.
Its PR arm won PR Agency of the Year for the second year in a row and Matt Barnes, Client Partner in Special Wellington received a category commendation for Young Business Leader of the Year.
Tony Bradbourne, Special’s founder, says, “To win Creative Agency of the Year, Integrated Agency of the Year, and PR Agency of the Year for the second year running is a clean sweep any agency leader would be proud of.
“Campaign Asia is a prestigious regional award show, which sees our work judged by the best marketing and communication professionals across Asia Pacific – and I’m so proud to see Kiwi creativity continue to be recognised internationally.”
Kelly Grindle, Managing Director of Special PR, adds, “This caps off an incredible year, which continues to see Special PR recognised as the most effective PR agency in New Zealand by all major award shows.
“We have continued to add new clients to our portfolio, deliver some show-stopping PR campaigns and improve profitability – but most importantly, we’ve built an enviable team of the best PR practitioners in the country. They work hard every day to make Special a success, and I’m exceptionally proud of the work that they do.”
Special highlights
Key highlights from Special in 2024 include Cliché Codes from Uber Eats and the latest brand campaign for Contact– while also launching The Inclusive Code, a new set of tools to drive better disability inclusion in advertising.
From Special PR, highlights included the return of the Pizza Hut buffet for its 50th anniversary, the creation of the KFC Gravy Train for Super Rugby and the creation of “the restaurant with the most stars” to drive international appreciation for Kiwi cuisine for Tourism New Zealand.
Last month Special was also named ‘Agency of the Year’ by industry heavyweight B&T for the fifth year in a row, while Special PR continues to be the most awarded agency by the Pressies and has maintained its title as ‘Large PR Agency of the Year ‘by the New Zealand Public Relations Institute.
Lovely end to 2024
Together was named NZ Media Agency of the Year and also topped the rankings for Australia/NZ Programmatic Agency of the Year.
PHD Aotearoa took out silver and OMD the bronze award.
Co-founder and Managing Partner Rufus Chuter says the award win was a great way to wrap up 2024 for him and his team.
“Being named NZ Media agency of the year and top programmatic agency in Australia and New Zealand is a lovely way to end a big year. I’m very thankful and proud of the whole Together team, our brilliant clients and publisher partners for supporting us this year. We’ll be raising a glass together in our new office next week.”
Big year for Motion Sickness
It has been a big year for Motion Sickness who was also recognised at the Campaign Asia Agency of the Year Awards.
The agency took out Silvers for both NZ Creative Agency of the Year, and AU/NZ Boutique Agency of the Year
This past year has seen the agency reach new heights, with significant growth in new clients, award-winning campaigns, top-tier talent, and industry recognition as well as being its 10th year in business.
As noted by General Manager Alex McManus, “Motion Sickness has had its best year on record, and I think it’s just telling of the exceptional talent in this team, and their ambition to make a real difference to our client’s businesses – this agency metal belongs to them.”
Founder/ECD Sam Stuchbury achieved an impressive hattrick of individual Gold awards, claiming the titles of AU/NZ Agency Growth Leader, Young Business Leader and Young Creative Person of the year.
“We are stoked to see Sam take out the trifecta at AOY 2024”, says McManus. “His relentless commitment to Motion Sickness delivering the best creative in the world is receiving the credit it deserves – and after a brief summer break, we can’t wait to build on this momentum in 2025”.
Read the full list of award winners from Aotearoa and Australia on the Agency of the Year Awards website.
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