The 2025 YouTube NZ Marketing Awards are officially open for entries

AUCKLAND, Friday: Aotearoa’s top marketing talents are back in the spotlight as entries open for the YouTube NZ Marketing Awards. These awards celebrate outstanding marketing strategies, campaigns, and individuals across the industry.

Following last year’s incredible event, NZ Marketing magazine and the NZ Marketing Association are once again teaming up with YouTube. Marketers nationwide are invited to showcase how their creativity and strategy have driven real results.

Caroline Rainsford, Country Director of Google New Zealand says, “We are thrilled to continue our sponsorship of the YouTube Marketing Awards in New Zealand. At YouTube, we’re proud to play a small part in recognising the incredible work that comes out of our local marketing scene.

Last year’s work was truly inspiring, so we can’t wait to see this year’s entries. We also can’t wait to share more from New Zealand’s most loved streaming platform on the night.”

The YouTube NZ Marketing Awards spotlight the best in Kiwi marketing, with 34 awards across three categories:

• Marketing Excellence Awards
• Marketing Campaign Awards
• Individual Awards

Marketing Excellence Awards recognise outstanding strategies across industries, proving how smart marketing drives real business impact.

Marketing Campaign Awards celebrate bold, agile initiatives that tackled short-term challenges and delivered measurable results in 12 months or less.

“These awards really are a showcase of the absolute best of Aotearoa’s marketing industry. The level of entries just keeps getting higher – raising the bar for the industry here as a whole.” – Penny Murray

Individual Awards honour the marketers who have shaped their business or brand’s success, both now and for the future.

“These awards really are a showcase of the absolute best of Aotearoa’s marketing industry. The level of entries just keeps getting higher – raising the bar for the industry here as a whole,” says Penny Murray, NZ Marketing magazine editor.

“2024 was a landmark year for marketers, showcasing outstanding strategies and campaigns across every sector of our industry. I’m excited to see who has demonstrated true bravery and innovation—and who has reaped the rewards of their bold approach,” says John Miles, CEO of NZ Marketing Association.

Judging is led by the NZ Marketing Association and returning Convenor of Judges, Michael Friedberg, ensuring a thorough and fair process.

Last year’s Awards Night was a massive success, with 1,000 industry professionals coming together to celebrate the best in Kiwi marketing. Plans are already in motion for the 2025 event, set for 3 September at Spark Arena.

This year, the awards are proudly brought to you by our premier sponsor, YouTube.

Key dates for 2025:

• Call for entries: Thursday, 13 March
• Entries close: Monday 28 April, 5pm
• Extension deadline: Monday 5 May, 5pm (at an additional $ 150+GST)
• Judging rounds 1&2: May to July
• Finalists announced: Monday, 23 June
• Awards Night: Wednesday, 3 September at Spark Arena