Colenso BBDO takes out coveted Agency of the Year title at AXIS Awards 2023; Special scores Grand AXIS for Partners Life ‘Last Performance’; Sweetshop named Production Co. of the Year

(Pictured above: AXIS Agency of the Year – Colenso BBDO)

The 43rd annual AXIS Awards were held on Thursday evening, bringing together some of the most talented and innovative minds in Aotearoa’s advertising industry. The event was held at Shed 10 and hosted by the wonderful Anika Moa, who added a slice of classic kiwi humour.

The event followed AXIS Speaks, a creative speaker event held the morning of the awards saw some of the greatest creative heavyweights from all over the world come to inspire the next year of creative work.

The night was filled with anticipation as the industry eagerly awaited the announcement of this year’s winners. With a record number of entries, the competition was fierce, making it a monumental task for the judges to select the winners, but in the end, it was 28 Gold, 59 Silver, and 110 Bronze awards handed out to deserving winners.

The Grand AXIS, which is awarded to the single outstanding piece of work of the last year, was awarded to Special (pictured above) for its 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 2 Golds, with one also taking a Grand Prix, for its work “Te Kākahu Hou” for Education New Zealand and “Summer Never Sleeps” for Kathmandu, respectively.

Says Tony Bradbourne, founder and CEO, Special: “Special is our name and a benchmark for the type of work we strive for everyday – it’s a high bar! So 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 Lisa Fedyszyn, executive creative director, Special: “It’s a great thrill to have our Partners Life campaign take out the Best In Show at Axis. 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.”

Says Rory Gallery, chief strategy officer, Special: “We often talk about bringing an idea back to life, and in this instance, we can honestly say we have. 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. The agency’s innovative work on the Skinny “Phone it in” campaign won six of its Gold awards in the categories of Radio & Audio, Out of Home, Direct Marketing and Craft. While its work with Spark, “Beyond Binary Code” earned it Gold in both the Design, Digital and Interactive categories. This culminated in Colenso BBDO taking out Agency of the Year, and its 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. Its 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, which won Gold in the PR & Brand Experience & Activation category for its work on Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s “You’re Cooked – The Test Kitchen Activation” and Dentsu Creative, which won two Gold in the Film & Video category for its 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 its work with Tourism New Zealand “If you seek”.

The final two Grand Prix went to the Campaign ‘Road to Zero – Toll Booth’ for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency in both the Film & Video category with FCB (pictured above) and in Craft – Direction with 3&7. The same campaign scored 3&7 a Gold for Craft – Cinematography.

Says Leisa Wall and Peter Vegas, co-CCOs, FCB: “We couldn’t be prouder of our team at FCB or more grateful for our ongoing collaboration with some amazing clients. Massive thanks to the Communications Council for organising a great day and evening, bringing the industry together to celebrate creativity.”

Scoundrel picked up four Golds for its work “Summer Never Sleeps” with Kathmandu. Sweetshop took out the Production Company of the Year title for 2023, along with a Gold for Craft – Cinematography for its 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.

Says Simon Lendrum, chief executive officer of the Comms Council: “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.”

The night ended on a high note with DJs Flamingo Pier providing the perfect soundtrack to celebrate the winners and toast to another year of creative excellence.

For the complete list of results, please visit the Comms Council website: https://commscouncil.nz/axis

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