Creativity shines at Aotearoa’s AXIS Awards 2023

Last night, the 43rd annual AXIS Awards brought together some of the most talented and innovative minds in Aotearoa’s advertising industry.

The event, held at Shed 10, was emceed by the cheeky and hilarious Anika Moa, who kept the audience engaged throughout the night with her wit and charm.

The awards night followed AXIS Speaks, a creative speaker event earlier that day, which was back after a four year hiatus. This event saw some of the greatest creative heavyweights from all over the world come to inspire the next year of creative work.

The energy at the awards ceremony was electric and the competition fierce as the industry eagerly awaited the winners to be announced in each category.

A record number of entries this year meant the judges had their work cut out for them but in the end there were 28 Gold, 59 Silver, and 110 Bronze awards presented to the best of the best.

The Grand AXIS, which is awarded to the single outstanding piece of work of the last year, was awarded to Special for their campaign Last Performance for Partners Life. This campaign had already picked up two Gold AXIS, two Grand Prix, and the coveted Innovation AXIS.

Special also picked up another two Golds, with one also taking a Grand Prix, for their work “Te Kākahu Hou” for Education New Zealand, and “Summer Never Sleeps” for Kathmandu, respectively.

Special founder and CEO Tony Bradbourne says Special is not only the agency’s name but the benchmark for the type of work he and his team strive for.

“It’s great to have so much of our work recognised tonight as achieving that level. Well done to our incredible team, and our ambitious wonderful clients.”

Special Executive Creative Director, Lisa Fedyszyn says it was a “great thrill” to see the Partners Life campaign win Best in Show.

“It’s the result of working with a collaborative, ambitious and creative client and brand that pushes to elevate the category to new levels. Not to mention South Pacific Pictures and their willingness to embrace this unique collaboration.”

Special Chief Strategy Officer – Rory Gallery says the team often talk about bringing an idea back to life and on this occasion they really did.

“We are lucky to work with such wonderful partners who helped to breathe life into the campaign.”

Colenso BBDO was named Agency of the Year after scooping a total of eight Gold awards and a host of silvers across various categories. Their innovative work on the Skinny “Phone it in” campaign won six of their Gold awards in the categories of Radio & Audio, Out of Home, Direct Marketing, and Craft.

While their work with Spark, “Beyond Binary Code” earned them Gold in both the Design, Digital and Interactive categories. This culminated in them taking out Agency of the Year, and their client, Spark, taking out Client of the Year later in the evening. Spark also picked up Gold in Media with PHD.

Clemenger BBDO also enjoyed success at the event. Their work on Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s “Mixed Meds” campaign earned three Gold awards in the Out of Home and Craft categories.

Other notable winners included Motion Sickness, who won Gold in the PR & Brand Experience & Activation category for their work on Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s “You’re Cooked – The Test Kitchen Activation,” and Dentsu Creative, who won two Gold in the Film & Video category for their work on TVNZ’s “It’s free but it could cost you – Wrong Ride.”

The event also recognised the rising stars of the industry, with Colenso BBDO’s Callum McDonald & Charlotte Upton winning the Emerging Talent award. AUT’s Amie Franshaw & Max Hansen taking home the AXIS Student Challenge award for their work on their “Trademe Vi$ ion” campaign.

DDB Aotearoa picked up this year’s Cultural Axis for their work with Tourism New Zealand, “If you seek”.

The final two Grand Prix went to the Campaign ‘Road to Zero – Booth’ for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency in both the Film & Video category with FCB, and in Craft – Direction with 3&7.

The same campaign scored 3&7 a Gold for Craft – Cinematography but they weren’t the only production company awarded on the night. Scoundrel picked up four Golds for their work “Summer Never Sleeps” with Kathmandu, but it was Sweetshop who took out Production Company of the Year for 2023, along with a Gold for Craft – Cinematography for their work with Canterbury, “The World’s Toughest“.

Overall, the event showcased the incredible talent and creativity of Aotearoa’s advertising and media agencies. It also highlighted the impactful campaigns they have produced over the past year. All winners and finalists deserve congratulations for their dedication to delivering work that pushes boundaries and inspires others.

“Axis is back in person, and back with a bang. The quality of the work being celebrated tonight is world-class. Creativity has always been the differentiator that builds value for clients and there was value aplenty on show at this year’s Axis Awards,” says Simon Lendrum, Chief Executive Officer of the Comms Council.

The night ended with DJs Flamingo Pier providing the perfect soundtrack to celebrate the winners on the dance floor along with a Mr Whippy ice cream truck and fries in the courtyard.

For the complete list of results, please visit the Comms Council website.

The AXIS Awards are made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: oOh!media, TVNZ, NZME, TRB, Google, Meta, and Stuff.

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