Mediaweek - Next Of The Best 2026

next of the best

Leadership in Motion

Where influence becomes leadership

Next of the Best is Mediaweek’s awards program recognising the leaders driving outcomes across Australia’s brand, media, marketing and technology ecosystem.

From brand marketers and agency strategists to platform innovators, publishers and founders, these awards celebrate the individuals already shaping the industry’s direction.

Next of the Best moves beyond emerging talent to recognise the operators trusted with responsibility – the people leading teams, building products and delivering real impact today.

Categories

Are you leading the work that defines your organisation?

Next of the Best recognises the individuals delivering real impact across the media, marketing and technology ecosystem.

These categories celebrate the people trusted with responsibility and driving meaningful outcomes across brands, agencies, publishers and platforms.

Whether you’re leading a team, building a product, shaping strategy or driving change, these awards recognise the individuals moving the industry forward.

Submit your entry and be recognised among the leaders shaping the industry today.

Finding The Right Category

Entries should be based on the impact of your work, not your job title or employer type.

If your role involves:

Driving growth or commercial outcomes
Influencing strategy or decision-making
Leading teams, products or initiatives
Shaping culture, innovation or change

then there is a category designed for you.

Leadership is assessed based on scope, responsibility and influence, not seniority or tenure.

If you’re unsure which category is the best fit, select the one that most closely reflects the impact of your work.
Our editorial team may move entries to a more appropriate category during judging if required.

Get in touch with us or read the full criteria

Key dates

Submissions Open Monday 16th March

Submissions Close Thursday 23rd April at 23.59

Finalists Announced Monday 27th April

Event

11 June 2026

6.30pm

ivy Ballroom

330 George Street Sydney

Dress code: Cocktail

FAQ

Have questions about entering or attending?

Visit our FAQ page or contact the Mediaweek events team for more information.

Get in touch with us or check out our FAQ

Take me to FAQs

SCA’s Alyce Wilson on making change count after Next of The Best win

SCA’s Alyce Wilson on making change count after Next of The Best win

Next Of The Best winner Jess Eva on self-doubt, storytelling, and building a business

Next Of The Best winner Jess Eva on self-doubt, storytelling, and building a business

Next of the Best: Beyond The Win Natasha Lee sits down with Henry Innis, co-founder and CEO of Mutinex, to talk bold moves, big insights, and what it really takes to lead in a shifting landscape.

Next of the Best: Beyond The Win we speak with Tiff Ng, founder of social media agency The Social Story and winner of Mediaweek’s Next of the Best Change Maker Award.

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