Sydney, 11 September 2026: The Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) is proud to announce the national winners of the 44th AMI Marketing Excellence Awards, recognising outstanding achievement across Australia’s marketing profession.

For 44 years, the AMI Marketing Excellence Awards have recognised excellence in Australian marketing, celebrating the strategic thinking, creativity, innovation and measurable impact of marketers, teams and organisations across the country. The 2026 Awards attracted a record 258 entries, demonstrating the strength and breadth of marketing talent across Australia. This year, awards were presented across 17 Campaign Categories and 11 Special National Award Categories.

The winning work spans brand revitalisation, customer experience, data and insight, AI and technology, content and social media, public sector marketing, sustainability and purpose-led marketing, reflecting both the diversity of the profession and the rapidly evolving environment in which marketers operate.

AMI Acting CEO Kathryn Illy said: “Our 2026 winners reflect the increasingly important role marketers play in driving growth, building brands, understanding customers and creating meaningful impact for organisations and communities. What stands out is the combination of strong strategic thinking, creativity and execution across such a diverse range of sectors and organisations. Congratulations to all our finalists and winners on this significant professional achievement.”

Special National Award Winners

• The Lisa Ronson, Next Generation Marketing Leader Award: Laura Jeffries, Associate Product Marketing Manager – Google
• Certified Practising Marketer of the Year: Steve Fontanot, Commercial Managing Director, APAC, Havas Red & Managing Director, Havas Blvd
• Chief Marketing Officer of the Year: Caroline Raj, Senior Director, Marketing – ServiceNow
• Future Leader of the Year: Katherine Venus, Head of Small Business Marketing – NAB
• Marketing Team of the Year: Origin Marketing Team
• Agency of the Year (Under 50 Employees): Paper + Spark
• Agency of the Year (Over 50 Employees): Apparent
• Life Member Award: Bronwyn Heys & Chris Taylor
• Sir Charles McGrath Award: Andrew Thornton
• Marketing Campaign of the Year (Under $1M): Bravehearts – Grooming Hides Behind Harmless – Bravehearts & Engine Group
• Marketing Campaign of the Year (Over $1M): SafeWork NSW Irreplaceable Advertising Campaign – Department of Customer Service NSW

National Category Winners

• Acquisition Marketing: LJ Hooker – The Difference
• Australian Made Excellence Award: Tambo Teddies Pty Ltd – Tambo Teddies – Childhood Friends for Life
• B2B Marketing Excellence: Affinda & Content Rebels – How Affinda Became Unmissable in B2B Search
• Brand Revitalisation: Patties Food Group & TBWA – Lean Cuisine ‘Listen to Nobody but Your Body’
• Content & Social Media Marketing: Apparent & GTI – The Wake Up Call
• Creative Effectiveness: Apparent & GTI – Answer the Call
• Data & Insight Driven Marketing: Department of Customer Service NSW – SafeWork NSW Irreplaceable Advertising Campaign
• Excellence in Customer Experience: Children By Choice & 3 Phase Marketing – Empowering Reproductive Autonomy: A Digital-First CX Transformation
• Excellence in the Use of AI & Technology: Affinda & Content Rebels – The AI Content Engine Built to Be Given Away
• Experiential and Event Marketing: Hunter Medical Research Institute – HMRI Poo Palace
• Marketing Strategy: Priceline Pharmacy | Wesfarmers Health – Anything Menopause Campaign
• Not for Profit Marketing: Bravehearts & Engine Group – Bravehearts – Grooming Hides Behind Harmless
• Product or Service Launch or Relaunch: Priceline Pharmacy | Wesfarmers Health – Anything Menopause
• Public Sector Marketing: Department of the Premier and Cabinet & South Australia Police / Showpony – Young Drivers – ‘Sucks to Be You’
• Retention & Loyalty: HCF / Wink – HCF Thank You App
• Small Budget Marketing: Down Syndrome NSW / The Creative Collective – Down Syndrome NSW – EOFY Tax Appeal
• Sustainability and Purpose Driven Marketing: Sydney Water / Elastic (Part of IVE Group) – Sydney Water Royal Easter Show Brand Activation

About AMI

Be inspired, connected and confident in an ever-changing marketing landscape with the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI). Since 1933, AMI has been the leading professional body for marketers in Australia, committed to supporting the development and advancement of the marketing profession. Through professional development, accreditation, industry recognition and connection, AMI helps marketers build the capability they need to progress their careers and create greater impact within their organisations. For more information visit ami.org.au.

Press Contact:

Kathryn Illy
Australian Marketing Institute
Kathryn.illy@ami.org.au
0410 497 146