YouTube NZ Marketing Awards 2026 finalists announced! 

We're absolutely thrilled to unveil the finalists for the YouTube NZ Marketing Awards 2026.

Find the complete list of finalists for 2026 here.  

Awards Night is on Wednesday, 2 September at Spark Arena - a glamorous evening of fine dining, drinks and celebration. Book now and take your place among Aotearoa's best marketers..

Now in its 35th year, the Awards celebrate the collective excellence in strategic and creative thinking that goes into award-winning marketing. They recognise exceptional marketing and marketing professionals that shape successful businesses across all aspects of the discipline. They:

• set the standards for marketers and their service industries in a local context.
• provide examples of integrated marketing that have been rigorously judged by an independent panel of some of the country’s most respected marketers and business leaders.
• raise business and organisational awareness - both private and public sector - of the value of marketing, and understanding of the economic importance of marketing excellence.
• demonstrate the tangible (commercial and human) benefits that accrue from marketing excellence.

The YouTube NZ Marketing Awards offer recognition over 34 awards in three key areas:

• 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.

• The 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.

Key dates to be aware of include:

• Judging rounds 1&2: May to July
• Finalists announced: Tuesday, June 23
• Awards Night: Wednesday, September 2 at Spark Arena

The 2026 YouTube NZ Marketing Awards Night promises to be unforgettable. Expect high-energy glamour, three-course fine dining, drinks, networking, and a fabulous after-party — all in honour of the biggest and brightest marketing talent in Aotearoa. Don't miss out, book now!