The Media Federation of Australia (MFA) has launched the 2021 MFA Awards, calling on media agency members to submit their best work.
Returning after a Covid-induced postponement in 2020, the MFA Awards will be celebrated with a black tie gala dinner at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on 14 October 2021. The Seven Network has signed on as the Grand Prix Sponsor, marking the 11th consecutive year of sponsoring the category, and comedian Claire Hooper is returning as the host of the awards.
MFA Awards host Claire Hooper
MFA CEO Sophie Madden said: “The 2021 MFA Awards will continue our focus on celebrating work that demonstrates media agencies’ contribution to achieving tangible, long-lasting results for clients. This year’s recognition and celebration will be even more important as we shine a light on how agencies and clients adjusted to the challenges posed by Covid-19. This will also be the first time in two years that our industry is able to come together and recognise the most effective campaigns created during that time.”
Peter Horgan, MFA Chair and CEO of Omnicom Media Group, added: “The MFA Awards are the pre-eminent event on the media agency industry calendar because it reminds us what is important – and that’s the strong focus on effectiveness and excellence in execution in the work we do for clients. At the end of the day, that comes down to the passion and commitment of everyone in this industry and I for one can’t wait to celebrate with them on 14 October.”
The Awards will follow the format first introduced in 2019 when the program was revamped, with categories split into three pillars: ‘Outcomes’ (4 categories), ‘Execution’ (7) and ‘People and Community’ (6). A new Covid category is introduced, bringing the total number of entered categories to 17.
The Covid Media Pivot category has been created to recognise the effort and process agencies went through in adapting, changing and creating new media approaches during the Covid-19 pandemic. Judges will look for how agencies delivered short-term results during a difficult period, or potentially created a new path to long-term resilience and growth.
The Grand Prix and Hall of Fame bring the total of awards to be handed out on the night to 19. Click here to view a full list of categories.
The MFA Awards are open for entries until 23 July. Download the entry criteria here.
Tickets to the MFA Awards are currently on sale on the MFA website.