Categories

Excellence in B2B Marketing Strategy

Open to businesses whose products and services are directed toward other businesses – for example delivery companies, business software companies, business course providers and more. 

Excellence in Brand Transformation Strategy

The judges are looking for the best example of where marketing identified and led to the transformation of a brand application that resulted in significant improvement for the business. This includes master brand, product or service strategy. Note: the launch must be within the last 12 months – March 2023 onwards.

Excellence in Consumer Products & Services Strategy

Open to companies whose main focus is to market and sell products and/or services for personal consumption by directly engaging and effectively influencing the consumers’ path to purchase. This can include companies specialising in non-FMCG consumer durables, appliances, consumer services, and packaged products etc. Note: you may not enter this if entered into the Excellence in Fast Moving Consumer Goods Strategy category.

Excellence in Data Insights Strategy

The judges are looking for the most outstanding example of a situation where customer/market data was used to provide insights to optimise marketing strategy and performance, design a product or service in fulfilment of a customer need, and/or address retention or acquisition strategy that leads to increase revenue and/or customer satisfaction.

Excellence in Fast Moving Consumer Goods Strategy sponsored by Cartology

Open to companies of all sizes that market products which are purchased on a regular basis, usually inexpensive, and the result of a low-involvement decision-making process Note: You may not enter this if entered into the Excellence in Consumer Products & Services Strategy category.

Excellence in Financial & Banking Marketing Strategy

Open to any organisation which provides the market with banking, securities, investments, loans, real estate, credit cards, insurance or other financial products or services. 

Excellence in Healthcare/Beauty Marketing Strategy

This category is open to entries from all healthcare, wellness, beauty and pharmaceutical providers, suppliers and resellers (e.g. gyms, haircare services and providers, pharmacy and natural health products, personal services, retirement homes etc.)

Excellence in Long-Term Marketing Strategy sponsored by Are Media

This award recognises marketing excellence over a sustained period of no less than three years. The award will go to the company or brand that best demonstrates how a superior marketing strategy, consistently applied, has driven business improvement over time. Note: You are not eligible to enter the Excellence in Long-Term Marketing Strategy category if you have won this category in the past three years.

Excellence in Marketing Communication Strategy sponsored by NZME

This award recognises exceptional marketing communications strategy that has delivered brand and/or revenue outcomes. Judges will consider the communications strategy clearly linked to the target audience, channel planning, and strategic messaging, with a clear articulation of return on marketing expenditure.

Excellence in MarTech Strategy

This award recognises the successful adoption and use of marketing tools/technology that support the marketing team in meeting strategic objectives, and has clearly documented overall business benefits. 

Excellence in New Brand Development 

The judges are looking for the best example of commercial success from the creation of a new business, product or service or an entire brand to meet a market need/opportunity. Note: The brand/business must be less than three years old in order to be eligible.

Excellence in Not-for-Profit Marketing Strategy

Open to not-for-profit organisations/charities only, whose activities involve fundraising, community services or any other activities. Note: You may not enter this category if you have entered the Excellence in Public Sector/Government Marketing Strategy category.

Excellence in Public Sector/Government Marketing Strategy

Open exclusively to government departments and State-Owned Enterprises Note: You may not enter this if you entered into the Excellence in Not-for-Profit Marketing Strategy category. 

Excellence in Social Purpose Driven Marketing Strategy

The judges are looking for the entry that can best demonstrate how a company’s corporate social responsibility programme has been brought to life through its marketing & communications activities. How this campaign had a positive impact on the purpose. This can include a focus on sustainable growth, brands or campaigns built around a social or environmental issue, or any other purpose-driven marketing activity that has helped improve broader society.

Excellence in Sponsorship Strategy

This category honours and rewards outstanding partnerships of any kind (sports, arts, causes, individuals etc.) and is open to both the recipients of sponsorships and the sponsors themselves. Companies need to demonstrate synergy of the sponsorship with brand values/strategy and business outcomes. 

Excellence in Travel/Leisure & Entertainment Marketing Strategy

Open to providers of travel and transportation services (e.g. airlines, hotels, car rental firms, mass transit systems), tourism providers, cultural attractions, sports, entertainment, venues and vacation properties. Retail and online travel agencies are also included in this category.

Excellence in Utilities/Communications Marketing Strategy

Open to communications and utility companies such as telecommunications carriers, electric/gas power companies, and Internet and broadband service providers. 

Best B2B Marketing Campaign

Open to businesses whose products and services are directed toward other businesses – for example delivery companies, business software companies, business course providers and more.

Best B2C Marketing Campaign

Open to businesses whose products and services are sold directly to consumers – For example retail outlets, FMCG, consumer electronics, etc.

Best Data Driven Marketing Campaign

The judges will reward entries that demonstrate where customer/market data has been used to formulate a marketing initiative that resulted in outstanding business results.

Best In-House Marketing Campaign

The judges are looking for the best example of marketing campaigns that were planned and executed by in-house marketing or creative teams. This could include real-time/social media marketing, branded content campaigns or innovative digital products/brands such as websites, chatbots, or CX/customer service solutions.

Best Marketing Campaign on a Shoestring Budget

The judges will be looking for the proven effect of a short-term initiative on the success of a business with a total marketing budget of less than $30,000. Note: Any contra deals need to be included in the budget.

Best Not-for-Profit Marketing Campaign

Open to not-for-profit organisations/charities. This award is for the best fundraising or community service outcome e.g. planting trees, raising money, saving lives, building homes, funding research, etc.

Best Public Sector/Government Marketing Campaign

Open exclusively to government departments and State-Owned Enterprises Note: You may not enter this if you entered into the Best Not-for-Profit Marketing Initiative category.

Best Retail & e-Commerce Marketing Strategy

Open to retail and business operations (digital or bricks and mortar) where the majority of revenue comes from direct purchase – for example supermarkets, online retailers, online insurance providers, fast food restaurants, and any other type of retail operations.

Best Use of Content Marketing Campaign (NEW)

This award celebrates how exceptional content supports marketing objectives by blending compelling storytelling with strategic execution and achieves significant business outcomes. Open to all industries and content types, from written articles and videos to podcasts and social media posts, this category is not just about creating engaging content; it’s about crafting messages that resonate with audiences and deliver measurable returns on investment (ROI).

Entrants are judged on their ability to harness the power of content to connect with their target audience, drive meaningful engagement, and achieve specific marketing objectives, such as increased brand awareness, lead generation, or social impact. Submissions should demonstrate a clear strategy, content excellence, and, most importantly, quantifiable results that showcase the content’s contribution to the organisation’s success.

Best Use of Video Marketing Campaign (NEW) sponsored by YouTube

This award highlights video marketing excellence, where strategy meets storytelling to produce not just viewership but demonstrable marketing outcomes. Open to entries from all industries, this category celebrates videos shared across various channels showcasing an unparalleled ability to engage audiences, compel action, and deliver a measurable return on investment.

Entrants will be evaluated on their ability to craft compelling video content that resonates with their target audience, encourages viewer action in line with campaign objectives, and has a positive impact on the marketing outcomes for the business. Submissions should highlight innovative storytelling and effective engagement strategies and clearly demonstrate how the videos have driven specific business outcomes such as increased sales, enhanced brand visibility, or successful lead generation.

Brand of the Year (NEW)

This award recognises the brand that has made the most significant impact in its market over the past year, building on its previous achievements. The successful brand will exhibit a deep strategic approach, far surpassing mere tactical efforts. It must showcase outstanding share of voice, financial performance, innovation, creativity, and consistency. Judges will assess the brand’s innovation in its holistic approach, scrutinising how it integrates aspects like product innovation, pricing strategies, distribution channels, strategic partnerships, and inventive promotions. This prestigious award is a testament to the creme de la creme of brand excellence in New Zealand. (This category will be judged by the indomitable marketing professor Mark Riston)

Marketer of the Future

An award open to those at the very beginning of their marketing careers. This will be awarded to the marketer, who with no more than two years’ marketing experience, and 3 years business experience, has been able to make a significant contribution to a marketing project or initiative within their company over the last 12 months. Note: Applicants need to be NZ residents at time of application.

Marketer of the Year sponsored by oOh!Media

An award to recognise an exceptional marketing professional. The judges are looking for a marketing leader who has demonstrated success in a diverse range of marketing skills and competencies and has achieved outstanding results throughout his or her marketing career, with an emphasis on measurable achievements in the past 12 months.

Marketing Team of the Year sponsored by Stuff

This award recognises the marketing team that has been instrumental to the success of their organisation. Reinforced by measurable results, demonstrate how your team’s collaborative and strategic approach to marketing has helped transform the performance of your business, within the past 12 months. 

Marketing Hall of Fame

An award for individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the New Zealand marketing industry, who have distinguished themselves in marketing and/or related fields; contributed to the betterment of marketing and its reputation; individually motivated others to excel by mentoring, inspiring, training or volunteering; and completed their primary careers.

Best Overall Marketing Campaign

Overall winner from the Short-Term Marketing Initiatives.

Supreme Marketing Excellence Award sponsored by YouTube

Overall winner from the Marketing Excellence Awards.