Media Leader of the Year  

There are four Media Leader of the Year awards, selected by our judges: 

• Agency leader 
• Media owner leader 
• Brand leader  
• Technology leader 

Our judges are seeking individuals (or co-leaders) who have truly championed excellence within their organisations. Whether it’s through a series of smart, strategic decisions that led to meaningful success—or one bold move that defined their leadership—what matters most is the impact they’ve made. 

Our leaders' awards recognise those who lead with purpose, inspire others, and drive positive change in our industry. 

Judges’ Special Choice Award  

The Judge’s Special Choice award is reserved for someone within or outside the media industry who has made a powerful impression on those within it. It could be a leader, thinker, or changemaker whose work has inspired better business practices, championed positive change, or influenced the way we lead. 

Each judge will nominate one individual they believe deserves this recognition. Together, the judging panel will vote to select the person who has made the most meaningful impact on our industry from beyond its borders. 

Media Leader of the Year  

Recognising outstanding senior leaders across media. The Leadership Awards celebrate people in our community at the top of their game—those who are driving real change, growth, and innovation within their organisations and across the industry. 

Open to professionals at managing director level or above (or marketing director for the Brand category), these awards are split into four categories: 

• Media Agency Leader
• Media Owner Leader 
• Brand Leader  
• Technology Leader 

We’re looking for leaders who embody our core values:

• Disruption: challenging the status quo
• Inclusion: building better, more diverse businesses
• Courage: making bold, impactful decisions
• Excellence: delivering outstanding results

Nominees should demonstrate how these values have contributed to business growth, a stronger company culture, and a clear, positive direction over the past year. 

Future Media Leader of the Year

This award recognises an emerging leader who is already making a significant impact in the media industry. They may not yet hold a senior title, but their influence, ideas, and leadership qualities are impossible to ignore. 

New for this year, nominations or entries must come exclusively from anyone who has been part of the Future 100 since its incarnation in 2022. 

The winner is chosen by our Future 100 community—a group of rising stars and forward-thinkers shaping the future of media. From a carefully selected shortlist, they’ll vote for the individual they believe best represents the next wave of leadership. 

This is about celebrating potential, spotlighting fresh perspectives, and championing the future of our industry. 

There is no fee to enter this category.

Leadership Team of the Year 

Celebrating teams at the top. This award recognises a leadership team that has demonstrated outstanding strategic thinking, innovation, and decision making over the past 12 months. Open to teams from media owners, agencies, brands, and technology businesses. 

Judges will be looking for examples of how the team worked together to achieve meaningful business goals, such as: 

• Driving profitability or revenue growth
• Building sustainable and ethical business models
• Creating a positive, inclusive workplace culture
• Leading innovation through technology or new business structures
• Inspiring staff development and organisational growth

Company of the Year

There are four Company of the Year awards, each recognising a business that has delivered exceptional results and stood out from the competition:

• Agency of the Year
• Media Owner of the Year
• Brand of the Year
• Technology Company of the Year

Each company must demonstrate:

• Media excellence 
• Clear, compelling success stories from the past year
• What made them stand out in a competitive landscape
• Strong work and measurable impact

Each of the four categories have a unique set of guidelines, but essentially judges will want to know what made your business unique this year.

Sustainability Excellence Award 

This award celebrates a media organisation that has shown true leadership in sustainability. Judges will be looking for initiatives with proven results in areas like:

• Managing environmental and social challenges
• Making investments that prioritise long-term environmental or social good—even at the expense of short-term profit

This award honours those who are building and championing a better, greener future for our industry and beyond.

Talent Excellence Award

This award recognises a media company that has gone above and beyond to invest in its people. Judges will be looking for:

• A clear “People First” approach to company culture
• Learning and development programmes with measurable impact
• Initiatives that support diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Support for staff 

This is about celebrating companies that know their people are their greatest asset—and act on it.

Trust in Media Excellence Award

This award honours media organisations that have built their reputation on trust, transparency, and quality. Judges will be looking for:

• A commitment to honest, accurate, and responsible content
• Investment in quality over quantity
• Clear examples of how trust has positively impacted the business
• A track record of educating, informing, and entertaining with integrity

This is for those who put audience and advertiser trust at the heart of everything they do.

Best Use of AI Excellence Award

This new award recognises a company or team that has used artificial intelligence in a truly innovative and impactful way. Judges will be looking for:

• Creative and effective use of AI in media planning, audience engagement, measurement, operations or beyond 
• Tangible results that demonstrate business or audience impact
• Responsible and ethical use of AI technologies
• A forward-thinking approach that sets a new standard for the industry

This award celebrates those who are not just using AI—but using it brilliantly.