Apparent, Paper+Spark, Engine and 303 among winners at 2026 AMI Marketing Excellence Awards

The Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) announced the national winners of the 44th AMI Marketing Excellence Awards, recognising outstanding achievement across Australia’s marketing profession.

Some of this year’s major winners include Apparent, named Agency of the Year (Over 50 employees); Paper+Spark, named Agency of the Year (Under 50 employees); and Bravehearts and Engine Group awarded Marketing Campaign of the Year (under $1M) alongside the Department of Customer Service NSW and 303, which won Marketing Campaign of the Year (over $1M).

Says Zeina Khodr, Founder and Managing Director of Paper + Spark: “Being named Agency of the Year for a fourth time is something we’re incredibly proud of. It reflects the talent, commitment and curiosity of our Sparks, and the trust our clients place in us to help solve multifaceted challenges and deliver work that gets results.

“What makes this year particularly special is the range of clients who’ve come on board, and the way our team has grown alongside them. Bringing strategy, creative, communications and digital together, and using new tools like AI intelligently, is resonating with organisations navigating real complexity.

“Awards are never the reason we do what we do, but they’re a good moment to recognise the people behind the work and everything we’ve built together.”

Also recognised were Caroline Raj from ServiceNow, named Chief Marketing Officer of the Year, and Steve Fontanot of Havas Red and Havas Blvd, named Certified Practising Marketer of the Year.

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.”

VIEW THE PRINT MAGAZINE + PAST ISSUES ONLINE. SUBSCRIBE NOW.

Register for FREE HERE and receive the Campaign Brief Daily Bulletin and/or the global Best Ads Best of the Week Bulletin.              Subscribe to Campaign Brief Magazine.

#More Creative News   #No paywalls   #No annual membership fees

Subscribe to Portfolio & Reel for current listings of Australian and NZ ad agency and production company leadership and key personnel