Thompson Spencer’s CEO/Co-Founder Melanie Spencer receives Commendation in Campaign Asia Awards’ Agency Head of the Year category

In a whoop-inducing achievement, Melanie Spencer, CEO and Co-Founder of independent agency Thompson Spencer, has been honoured with a Commendation in the hotly contested Agency Head of the Year category at the Campaign Asia Agency of the Year Awards. Announced at the awards evening held at the Ritz Carlton in Singapore this week, Spencer is the only person across New Zealand and Australia to be recognised in this category, highlighting her standout leadership on a global stage.

The Commendation shines a bright spotlight on Spencer’s transformative impact on Thompson Spencer and the advertising industry as a whole. Over the past year, she has scrupulously spearheaded the integration of five specialist offerings under one Thompson Spencer brand as well as the opening of London and Sydney offices, creating a socially-led, full-service, international powerhouse that is impossible to ignore. 

Under Spencer’s guidance, Thompson Spencer has experienced significant growth in both team and client rosters, with key client wins including Honda NZ, Goodman Fielder, Wattyl Australia & NZ, Auckland Transport, El Jannah Australia, and Noel Leeming… with more wins to be announced soon.

Thompson Spencer’s Co-Founder, Wendy Thompson, celebrated Spencer’s recognition: “The wins just keep coming! Can I please get a big round of applause for our fearless leader, Melanie Spencer, who received a Commendation for Australia/New Zealand Agency Head of the Year in the important Campaign Asia Awards. She was the only person singled out in this category across NZ and Australia – which is a big deal! We see how hard your work and how much you put into growing this company and all of us humans along the way, Mel, and we thank you. We couldn’t be prouder.”

Spencer’s leadership philosophy is rooted in fostering long-term, trusting relationships within her team and with the agency’s clients. She has been instrumental in driving innovation, creativity, and growth, always with community building at the heart, delivering not just commercial success, but a culture where collaboration and human connection flourish.

On hearing the good news, Spencer noted: “This is special, really REALLY special but I have to say, I feel somewhat uncomfortable to be singled out here! I have my biggest supporter, Wendy Thompson as my running mate, Brent Impey as our incredibly smart and level headed Chairman, the most talented Senior Leadership team – Carlene Managh, Olivia Thompson, Nick Fleming and Chandni Patel – all alongside a combined team of the most astounding people I admire (and am in awe of!) every single day. This recognition is for all of us.”

The Campaign Agency of the Year Awards are highly respected, celebrating excellence across Asia-Pacific. Spencer’s commendation sits her firmly among an elite group of agency heads who make a profound impact on their agencies and the wider advertising industry. This shiny recognition adds to a year of milestones for Thompson Spencer, reinforcing its position as a dynamic and progressive global-facing agency.