Record number of entries for the YouTube NZ Marketing Awards 2025

Today NZ Marketing magazine and the NZ Marketing Association announced that more entries than ever have been submitted into the 2025 edition of the YouTube NZ Marketing Awards.  

The two bodies run the annual awards programme, which celebrate exceptional marketing across strategies, campaigns and individuals.

“This is such a great achievement. To see so many companies – both returning entrants and new ones – eager to celebrate their success over the past year, along with individuals doing outstanding work in marketing. It’s a real boost for our industry,” says Marketing Association chief executive John Miles.

Compared to last year, two areas saw a significant leap in entries: the Marketing Campaign and Individual categories jumped up 20% and more than 30% respectively.

“The NZ Marketing Awards are the highlight of the marketing calendar in Aotearoa. It’s terrific that so many marketers are keen to showcase their work – and the numbers are growing year on year,” NZ Marketing magazine editor Penny Murray.

Showcase of marketing excellence

The YouTube NZ Marketing Awards showcase the best examples of marketing excellence in New Zealand. They offer recognition over 34 awards in three key areas:

• Marketing Excellence Awards
• Marketing Campaign Awards and
• Individual Awards.

Marketing Excellence Awards celebrate excellence in specific disciplines across different sectors, demonstrating how effective marketing strategy has led to measurable results for a business or brand.

The Marketing Campaign Awards recognise innovative and agile marketing initiatives that have identified short-term opportunities/challenges and delivered tangible results within 12 months or less.

Individual Awards honour marketing professionals who have contributed to a business or brand’s overall marketing success, both in the short and long term.

What happens next

Now the entries are in, they’ll undergo a robust judging process led by the NZ Marketing Association and returning Convenor of Judges, Michael Friedberg.

Finalists will be announced on June 23, and the whole process will culminate in Awards Night on September 3 – a glittering black tie event at Spark Arena.

This year, the Awards are being brought to you by premier sponsor, YouTube.

Thanks also go to category sponsors MediaWorks, Mortal, NZME, SalesForce, TRA and Vistar Media.

Upcoming key dates for 2025:

• Judging rounds 1 & 2: May to July
• Finalists announced: June 23
• Awards Night: September 3