Mediaweek has unveiled the winners for its inaugural Next of the Best Awards. The latest entry in Mediaweek’s event calendar celebrates people under the age of 40 in the media industry. Hosted by Mitch Churi, the Next of the Best Awards took place at the Doltone House in Jones Bay Wharf as the city skyline was lit up by the first night of Vivid.
What are Mediaweek’s Next of the Best Awards?
Mediaweek’s inaugural Next of the Best Awards recognised the exciting talent in the industry under the age of 40 across media agencies, media sales, content creators, and marketing.
The night featured 12 awards selected by an industry panel of 10 experts. At the inaugural Mediaweek Next of the Best Awards, Jimmy Hyett was named the Grand Prix winner, on a night that celebrated the top media talent under the age of 40. The event also revealed the top 100 most influential Australians on Social Media, with Hugh Jackman, revealed as #1.
The night featured Tori Forsyth performing at the awards ceremony who brought her unique blend of country and rock music. Following the awards, Peking Duk’s Keli Holiday performed at the Rolling Stone Next of the Best After Party, capping off one of the nights of the year.
Who were the Next of the Best Awards winners?
AD TECH
GOLD: Nik Kontoulas, Founder and CEO, JustEggs Digital
SILVER: Dylan Dharmadasa, Head of Product, Finecast
BRONZE: Berina Colakovic, Director of Sales APAC, StackAdapt
RADIO
GOLD: James Willis, Executive Producer, Ben Fordham Live (2GB Breakfast)
SILVER: Andrea Thiis-Evensen, Supervising Producer, News Corp
BRONZE: Pedro Vitola, Executive Producer, The Kyle & Jackie O Show
TV PRODUCER
GOLD: Mike Searle, Supervising Casting Producer, Endemol Shine Australia
SILVER: Jasmine Kostas, Managing Editor, Sunrise, Seven Network
BRONZE: Emma Lamb, Founder, Mischief Maker within Dreamchaser Entertainment
MARKETING AGENCY
GOLD: Rosie Baker, Group Communications Director, GroupM
SILVER: Chris Parker, Founder and Group CEO, Awaken Media and Awaken Creative
BRONZE: Lauren Thornborough, Senior Client Director, UM Sydney
MARKETING CORPORATE
GOLD: Alexander Concannon, Head of Growth Marketing, Employment
SILVER: Joey Nguyen, Partner, Deloitte Digital
BRONZE: Tess Herrett, Marketing Manager, Michael Cassel Group
PUBLISHING
GOLD: Katya Wachtel, Editorial Director, Broadsheet Media
SILVER: Julia Naughton, Head of Life – Culture, Lifestyle and Travel, Nine Publishing
BRONZE: Poppy Reid, The Brag and Rolling Stone Australia
TV TALENT
GOLD: Sarah Abo, Co-Host, Today
SILVER: Brooke Boney, News and Entertainment Presenter, Today
BRONZE: Tanya Hennessy, TV Presenter
RADIO TALENT
GOLD: Brittany Hockley, Podcast and Radio Host, ARN
SILVER: Chris O’Keefe, Radio Host, 2GB Sydney’s Drive Program
BRONZE: Mitch Churi, Radio Host, ARN
MEDIA AGENCY SPECIALIST – INDEPENDENT
GOLD: Jimmy Hyett, CEO and Founder, This Is Flow
SILVER: Rory Heffernan Managing Director, Atomic 212
BRONZE: Catherine Edghill, General Manager, Hatched Sydney
MEDIA AGENCY SPECIALIST – ALL AGENCIES
GOLD: Chris Colter, Chief Strategy and Product Officer, Initiative Australia
SILVER: Philipa Noilea-Tani, Chief Investment Officer, Wavemaker
BRONZE: Tom Kirkham, Head of Transformation, OMD Sydney
SALESPERSON – MEDIA
GOLD: Rachel Miller, Senior Group Business Director, Foxtel Media
SILVER: Michila Macleod, National Sales and Partnerships Director, Broadsheet Media
BRONZE: Tara Duncan, Consortium Advertising Sales Manager, News Corp
NEW BUSINESS GROWTH
GOLD: Matt Stephens, Head of Client Engagement, Finecast Australia
SILVER: Rory Heffernan, Managing Director, Atomic 212
BRONZE: Sam Geer, National Marketing Director Initiative
CREATIVE AGENCY & CONTENT AGENCIES
GOLD: Olivia Warren, Managing Director, MBCS
SILVER: Tiff Ng Founder and Chief Storyteller, The Social Story
BRONZE: Adam Ireland, Managing Director, BRING Agency
MARKETING – MEDIA
GOLD: Stephanie Stone, B2B Marketing Manager, TikTok AUNZ
SILVER: Georgi Oates, Head of Media, Southern Cross Austereo
BRONZE: Sam Trevethan, Head of Design, Seven Network
PR – MEDIA
GOLD: Tess Fisher, Senior Publicist, Paramount ANZ / Network
SILVER: Robert Sharpe, Head of Corporate Communications, Seven West Media
BRONZE: Eliza Elliott, National PR Manager, SCA
PR AGENCY – INDEPENDENT
GOLD: Kate Lord, Managing Director, Akin Agency
SILVER: Alex Hayes, Principal, Clear Hayes Consulting
BRONZE: Grace Garrick, Director and Founder, MVMNT Agency
PR – AGENCY
GOLD: Rosie Baker, Group Communications Director, GroupM
SILVER: James Griffiths, Executive Creative Director, BRING Agency
BRONZE: Candice Jackson, Senior Publicity Consultant, Ogilvy PR
Read the full list here.
