Indigenous Business Month: Making our mark toward economic reconciliation
By Professor Shane Hearn, Founder, CultureLink Consultancy. This October, we celebrate Indigenous Business Month, a time to recognise the significant contributions of First Nations businesses to the Australian economy. Over the past decade, Indigenous enterprises have...
From manager to leader: Navigating your new role with heart and smarts
By Clinton Parr, Founder, A Lion and the Vibes *** Transitioning from managing teams and projects to leading people and agencies isn't just more of the same. The skills that got you promoted likely differ from those needed to be a great leader, especially regarding...
AWARD School 2025 ambassadors announced
AWARD School has today announced its 2025 ambassadors – a group of top graduates who’ll guide and support candidates applying for next year’s course. Fifteen creative professionals will provide a unique perspective on what it...
5 minutes with…..Kay Chong
Previously a junior strategist at TBWA/Australia, Kay Chong now travels the world as a senior global thinker for NEXT, TBWA/Worldwide. We caught up with her to chat about her international role, passion for innovation and creativity in crafting winning campaigns, and...
Q&A with Spencer O’Connor, winner, AWARD School 2024 audio brief
Congratulations on your win this year. Can you describe your initial audio concept and what inspired it? Thank you! It’s incredible to see how close the final product is to the initial concept. The idea - a radio ad for the RSPCA spotlighting the impact domestic cats...
Cannes Lions and Spikes Asia jury nominations close Friday
The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2025 Cannes Lions and Spikes Asia juries is fast approaching. Get yours in by 5:00pm AEST tomorrow, Friday 20 September. This is your chance to put forward the industry’s most creative and innovative leaders to judge the...
AWARD School to host free masterclass: ‘Get Creative Quick’: Oct 8, 6:30pm AEDT
AWARD School is hosting a free masterclass on October 8—a one-hour webinar for aspiring creatives filled with expert tips on how to crack a creative brief. Led by AWARD School Co-Chairs, Huei Yin Wong and Ryan Clayton, the interactive session will showcase top...
LIONS releases 2024 Creativity Report
The LIONS Creativity Report, the ultimate global benchmark for impactful creativity, has released its definitive rankings today. The report sees current Campaign Brief Agency of the Year The Monkeys being named runner-up Pacific Agency of the Year and Revolver awarded...
Speakers announced for IPA Business & Agency Leadership, Melb, Oct 27-29
A stellar lineup of agency leaders, executive coaches and talent specialists has been announced for this year’s IPA Business & Agency Leadership course, taking place at Melbourne’s QT Hotel from October 27-29. The three-day residential will be led by industry...
ACA calls for 2025 Cannes Lions and Spikes Asia jury nominations
In its first role as the local representative of Cannes Lions, Advertising Council Australia has officially opened jury nominations for 2025’s Cannes Lions and Spikes Asia Festivals of Creativity. Cannes Lions takes place from 16-20 June 2025 while Spikes Asia is...
‘Sweat the small stuff’: Insights from Sweathead founder and strategy guru Mark Pollard
Last Wednesday in Sydney, ACA hosted an exclusive member-only evening with Mark Pollard - one of the global ad industry’s most respected strategists. He's renowned for his no-nonsense approach, innovative frameworks, and boundless enthusiasm for the art of good...
A new wave of B2B creativity in Australia
Robin O’ConnellSenior Content Solutions Consultant, LinkedIn *** The tides are changing in B2B marketing. Special Australia’s win at the AWARD Awards last month is testament to this — where their Shift 20 Initiative landed gold for the inaugural Best B2B Campaign. The...
45th AWARD Award winners announced!
The Monkeys Sydney, part of Accenture Song named Individual Agency of the Year The Monkeys, part of Accenture Song named Agency Network of the Year Revolver named Production Company of the Year The winners of the 45th annual AWARD Awards were announced tonight at the...
Sarah Cassell named AWARD School 2024 national top student
Sarah Cassell from Perth has been named AWARD School’s national top student for 2024. The announcement was made at The Gold Pencil Award Party, held at This Way Up at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art, which celebrates the year’s best creative work and brightest new...
Anna Fawcett, Scott Nowell and Justin Drape inducted into AWARD Hall of Fame
At an exclusive black-tie ceremony held in Sydney last night, three of Australia's most celebrated creative leaders—Anna Fawcett, Scott Nowell, and Justin Drape—were inducted into the AWARD Hall of Fame. As the 22nd inductees, they join the ranks of advertising...
Decoding effectiveness in an ever-changing industry
Earlier this month, WARC, Cannes Lions and Kantar hosted an exclusive event in Sydney for senior brand and marketing leaders: "Decoding Effectiveness: Strategies for Creative Impact". The session pulled together the latest thinking, cutting-edge examples of effective...
Creative technologist Nilesh Ashra to host interactive AI workshop at This Way Up
AWARD has announced a new addition to the lineup for This Way Up: an AI-focused workshop that fosters creative collaboration and the development of ideas between creatives and media strategists. Presented by Nine, the interactive session Live Experimentation with AI:...
AWARD School announces state finalists for national top student award
The Australasian Writers and Art Directors (AWARD) has announced the state finalists vying to become AWARD School’s prestigious national top student in 2024. Brooke Wiggins from New South Wales; Jess Gough from Victoria; Harrison Coates from Queensland; Albert Hopkins...
Cannes Lions appoints Advertising Council Australia as national representative
Advertising Council Australia (ACA) - the peak body for Australia’s leading advertising agencies - has been appointed as the official representative of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Australia. The strategic partnership will see ACA join an...
45th AWARD Awards held virtually and in person
The 45th AWARD Awards winners will be announced virtually and in person next month at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art as part of This Way Up, Australia's advertising festival of creativity. On Tuesday 13 August and Wednesday 14 August, AWARD will host two virtual...
Nine joins This Way Up festival as sponsor and content partner
Advertising Council Australia and AWARD have announced Nine as a major sponsor for next month’s This Way Up festival, to be held from August 13-15 at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art. Nine will curate and create daily content live from This Way Up and a spin-off...
Behind the scenes of AWARD Awards judging
Kate Idle and Hannah Lawson were named Emerging Team of the Year at last year’s AWARD Awards. They recently shadowed a jury of top creatives to judge entries for 2024's Press, Poster and Dark Arts category. Here, they give us the lowdown on insights gained, and what...
AWARD Uni returns to This Way Up
Following its debut in 2023, AWARD Uni returns to This Way Up, AWARD’s signature creative festival, next month with a new lineup of mentors and a revamped curriculum designed to enhance the performance of mid-weight creatives. The six-session program, developed by...
Contagious to host “Cannes Lions Deconstructed” at This Way Up
Contagious, the creative intelligence powerhouse, is set to host its highly anticipated presentation ‘Cannes Lions Deconstructed’ at This Way Up, AWARD’s signature creative festival, in Sydney next month. The session promises to be the ultimate guide to award-winning...