2024 Pixel Awards: The year’s top innovators revealed

AUCKLAND, Today: The 5th Pixel Awards have just announced their winners, showcasing remarkable creativity and innovation in Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH). This year brought in a record-breaking number of entries across all categories.

In the industry section, Joachim Pearson and Oscar Randle from Yarn snagged first place for their Bargain Box Crowdometer campaign for My Food Bag. They took home $ 5,000 in cash and a $ 40,000 media campaign.

Their campaign cleverly utilized Google Maps data to show real-time supermarket crowd levels, positioning Bargain Box meal kits as a convenient alternative to avoid shopping chaos.

DDB Aotearoa’s Kara Gouws and Pat Brennan won second place for McDonald’s Yum Only Takes A Moment, earning a $ 10,000 media campaign. Third went to Hayley Tubb and Phaedra Starling, also from DDB, with 5 O’Clock Somewhere for Mac’s.

Rex Carpenter, Labs Project Manager at LUMO, commented, “With so many high-quality submissions from both the industry and students, it was hard to pick just one winner.

“There was an amazing number of entries this year (especially with the students!), but the DOOH cream rose to the top with simple, insight-driven ideas that used fresh data and tech.” – Freddie Coltart

“But what stood out to us from the winning submissions was their fresh use of data, with a simple and clear message to the audience. Showcasing that dynamic creative is at its best when it is big, bold, simple, and clean.”

In the newly introduced Student category, Summer and Mitchell from AUT claimed the top spot for their Kiwis, Know Before You Go campaign for Surf Life Saving NZ, which displays real-time tides on beachside billboards.

Scott Williams from AUT earned second with Car Cricket for ANZ, while Joshua Downs and Harry Brook secured third with Bidboards for Trade Me.

Freddie Coltart, Creative Director at DDB Aotearoa and 2024 Pixels Judge, shared, “There was an amazing number of entries this year (especially with the students!), but the DOOH cream rose to the top with simple, insight-driven ideas that used fresh data and tech.”

Since its inception, the Pixel Awards have seen 199 entries from 160 teams across 95 brands. The 2025 edition is sure to deliver even more groundbreaking campaigns!