Val Morgan Outdoor (VMO) has announced the winners of the Ultimate Media Champion (UMC), a competition that aims to unite the Australian media industry through health and wellness.
Over six intense weeks, more than 200 media agency professionals tested the limits of their mental and physical strength, endurance, and determination through a bespoke training program designed by the country’s top personal trainers in preparation for the final UMC event.
The state based final events were held across Fitness First and Goodlife gyms—venues within VMO’s Active network. Finalists faced a series of high intensity challenges, expertly created by Fitness Lifestyle Group, to determine the Ultimate Media Champions.
Zoe Stanek
Alex Kralikas, OMD
The 2024 Ultimate Media Champion winners from Queensland were Zoe Stanek from Wavemaker and OMD’s Alex Kralikas. The winners from New South Wales were This is Flow’s Kate Dampney and Philip Hasiuk from Wavemaker. Victoria’s champions were Merci Donald from Principle Media Group and Wavemaker’s Delwin Lim.
“The Ultimate Media Champion competition has demonstrated the power of community and teamwork, made possible by the VMO Active network and our team of expert trainers across our gyms,” Andy Chamoun, executive general manager FLG Australia, said.
“We’re proud to have partnered with VMO to bring this unique and inspiring event to life and showcase the incredible resilience of the participants. Congratulations to the well deserving winners.”
Kate Dampney
Philip Hasiuk
“Six individuals have been awarded the prestigious title of Ultimate Media Champion, each sharing in a prize pool of over $50,000 and receiving a coveted UMC belt,” Chamoun added.
Paul Butler, managing director of VMO, said: “The energy, dedication, and collaboration of over 200 competitors from across the industry has been nothing short of remarkable.
“The success of this event has extended far beyond the competition itself— and has united the industry around a shared commitment to well-being. Our goal is to keep driving this conversation and championing the importance of health and wellness, year after year, with The Ultimate Media Champion.”
Merci Donald
Delwin Lim