YouTube NZ Marketing Awards programme launches for 2026

The YouTube NZ Marketing Awards programme is kicking off for 2026 with the announcement of key dates and first sponsors. 

The YouTube NZ Marketing Awards, hosted by NZ Marketing magazine and the NZ Marketing Association, will be open for entries soon.

Celebrating their 35th year in 2026, the awards recognise New Zealand’s best marketing examples. They cover more than 30 categories across three main areas: Marketing Excellence Awards, Marketing Campaign Awards and Individual Awards.

• Marketing Excellence Awards celebrate excellence in specific disciplines across different sectors, demonstrating how effective marketing strategy has led to measurable results for a business or brand.
• Marketing Campaign Awards recognise innovative and agile marketing initiatives that have identified short-term opportunities or challenges and delivered tangible results within 12 months or less.
• Individual Awards honour marketing professionals who have contributed to a business or brand’s overall marketing success, both in the short and long term.

This year, new awards covering AI and brand collaboration have been added to the programme. Full details will be announced along with the call for entries on March 12.

Check out the 2025 winners

Besides showcasing the industry’s top talent, the award night features fine dining, premium drinks and a show-stopping afterparty.

“Planning for this year’s Awards Night is already in train. It’s going to be fabulous,” says NZ Marketing editor Penny Murray. “The first step is marketers sending in their best work – now is a great time to start thinking about your entries.”

“At the NZ Marketing Association, our role is to help marketers to be brilliant,” says John Miles, Chief Executive of the NZ Marketing Association.

“The YouTube NZ Marketing Awards shine a light on the very best of marketing in New Zealand and set the benchmark for excellence across the industry. Join us on September 2 as we celebrate the ideas and people shaping what great marketing looks like.”

YouTube is premier sponsor

After two brilliant years, YouTube is again on board as premier sponsor, having signed a new three-year commitment to the Awards.

“I’m so pleased to share that YouTube has signed on as premier sponsor of the YouTube NZ Marketing Awards for the next three years!” says Caroline Rainsford, Country Director for Google NZ.

“YouTube is the heart of culture, with music, sports, and entertainment, and your brand at the centre of it all. No matter your objective, YouTube puts the most trusted creators alongside AI solutions that deliver the results. I can’t wait to see what the entries of the 2026 Awards bring to the table!”

As the Award programme launches for 2026, several sponsors have already signed up.

Alongside premium sponsor YouTube, oOh!media and MediaWorks are gold sponsors, with silver sponsor NZME, plus category sponsors Vistar Media, dish magazine, StopPress, SCG and newly launched platform Agency Directory.

In 2025, gold sponsor oOh!media again added extra sparkle with the ‘Most Unmissable Award’ as part of their activation. See who stole the style spotlight here.

Want to get involved? Contact Dan at dan.prestige@scg.net.nz

YouTube NZ Marketing Awards key dates for 2026

• Call for entries: Thursday, March 12
• Entries close: Friday, April 24, 5pm
• Extension deadline: Friday, May 1, 5pm (at an additional $150+GST)
• Judging rounds 1&2: May to July
• Finalists announced: Tuesday, June 23
• Awards night: Wednesday, September 2 at Spark Arena