The most prestigious PR & communications awards
The CommsCon Awards return for 2026 to recognise excellence, innovation and impact across Australia and New Zealand’s PR and communications industry. Communications professionals now sit at the heart of business leadership, tasked with navigating complexity, building trust, and shaping the narratives that define reputation and public confidence.
These prestigious awards now include new categories recognising this transformation. Best Use of Strategic Communications has been launched to recognise teams driving reputation, stakeholder influence and long-term corporate trust. Non-Traditional Campaign of the Year has been redefined to highlight communications thinking applied to behaviour change, customer experience and innovation.
Plus, this year the Emerging Talent award will be free to enter, reflecting Mumbrella’s commitment to supporting the next generation shaping the future of the profession.
2026 AWARD CATEGORIES
CAMPAIGN CATEGORIES
Best Social Media or Digitally-Led Campaign
Best B2C Campaign
Best B2B Campaign
Best Campaign with a Small Budget
Best Use of Owned Media
Best PR-Led Content Creation
Best Internal Communications or Change Management Campaign
Launch or Relaunch Campaign of the Year
Best Government or Public Sector Campaign
Best PR-Led Brand Partnership
Corporate Social Responsibility or ESG Campaign
Pro Bono Campaign of the Year
Best Use of Research, Insights & Strategic Planning
Best Media Relations-Led Campaign
Best Use of the Creator Economy
NEW - Best Use of Strategic Communications
Non-Traditional Campaign of the Year
PEOPLE CATEGORIES
Emerging PR & Communications Talent of the Year - FREE
PR Professional of the Year
PR Leader of the Year
BUSINESS CATEGORIES
Best PR Employer
Best In-House PR Team
PR Agency of the Year - Boutique/Small (1-6 Staff)
PR Agency of the Year – Midsize (7-25 Staff)
PR Agency of the Year – Large (26+ Staff)
Strategic Communications Team of the Year - NEW
Entry submissions have now closed.
CONFIRMED SHORTLIST FOR 2026
MEET THE 2026 JURY
Laura Beament
Head of Global Comms, PR & CSR,
Jurlique
Kristy Brown
Head of Communications ANZ,
Belgravia Leisure
Stuart Terry
Founder,
We Are Different
Kirsty Dunn
Director of Communications,
Tinder Australia
Rob Lowe
Director & Co-Founder,
Poem Group
Justine Sywak
Director of Public Relations,
Shannon Behaviour ChangePR
Joanna Stevens
Regional Director Communications,
Meta
Claire Kimball
Founder,
Squiz Media
Angela Scrymgour
Head of Publicity & Events,
ABC
Andrew Giles
Head of Brand & PR ANZ,
Ingram Micro
Amy Ashworth
Managing Director,
Eleven PR
Vinne Schifferstein Vidal
Managing Director,
Made This - Clemenger Group
Simone Gupta
Founder,
Supermassive
Luke McClelland
Head of Communications, Australasia,
Mastercard
Adam Freedman
Head of Brand, Communications & Loyalty,
The digiDirect Group
Patricia Routledge
Country Communication Manager,
IKEA Australia & New Zealand
Meet Your MC
Fashion Critical is an anonymous Australian fashion commentator, digital creator and the author of Fashion Critical: Red Carpet Lewks and LOLs from an Undercover Fashion Critic (2025).
Known for her razor-sharp critiques of celebrity red-carpet fashion, she has built a fiercely devoted following including designers, stylists, celebrities themselves and of course, everyday Aussies, all of whom who pour over her verdicts long after the trophies have been handed out.
Her signature catchphrases and sharp wit have turned her unapologetic post-event “albums” into essential scrolling after every major awards night, reaching tens of millions around the world.
Social media aside, FC is regularly called upon by the Australian media to dissect high-profile fashion moments - from the Oscars to the Olympic Opening Ceremony, bringing her trademark wit to every interview.
BOOK TABLES
Live Entertainment
DJ Claire Elliott is a globally sought-after and trusted DJ with over 15 years of experience playing high-end clubs and major events.
Known for her energy and seamless genre-blending, she’s a top choice for elite brands and large-scale productions. Claire specializes in open-format sets and has performed for stadium events, TV, radio, and collaborations with world-class entertainers. Her standout performances include opening for Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, the AFL Grand Final, and televised events like the AFL Footy Show Final and T20 cricket and a residency for Virgin in Ibiza.
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Make It A Day
Attending the gala dinner? Make it a day and join the conference. It's the perfect opportunity to make connections with other bright minds and gain valuable insights to further elevate your success.
FIND OUT MOREBOOK YOUR TABLES TODAY
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KEY DATES
First Entry Deadline:
5 December 2025
Final Entry Deadline:
12 December 2025
Shortlist Announcement:
19 February 2026
Awards Ceremony:
25 March 2026
VIEW THE 2025 WINNERS GALLERY
Best Social Media or Digitally-led Campaign
The Original Mouthful - Mango Communications with DDB Sydney for McDonald's Australia
Best B2C Campaign
Tiny Towns - Herd MSL for Airbnb
Best B2B Campaign
Open Road, Open Up - We Are Different for GME Australia
Best Campaign with a Small Budget
Open Road, Open Up - We Are Different for GME Australia
Best Use of Owned Media
Odd Jobs - HAVAS Red for Tourism Tasmania
PR-led Content Creation
Pesto The King Penguin Chick - Merlin Entertainments for SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Best Internal Communications or Change Management
Insider Threat True Crime Video Series / Security, Integrity & Fraud Awareness Week 2024 - Australian Taxation Office
Launch or Relaunch Campaign of the Year
Inspiring the Space Generation - Thrive PR + Communications with Initiative, Brightworks & SoldOut Events for LEGO Australia & New Zealand
Best Government Sponsored Campaign
Influencing Federal Election Promises for Australia’s Growth Areas – ImpactInstitute for National Growth Areas Alliance
Best PR-led Brand Partnership Campaign
Orgasmic Skin – CampaignLab for Lovehoney
Corporate Social Responsibility
The First Wheelchair Ballkid – Eleven for Mastercard
Pro Bono Campaign of the Year
The Spot - Ogilvy PR with Glue Society, The Beautiful & Useful Studio, Skin Check Champions, Melanoma & Skin Cancer Advocacy Network for Bristol Myers Squibb & La Roche-Posay
Best Influencer Strategy
Australia's Ultimate 2nd Car – Poem with EssenceMediaCom, Hello Social & Special Group for Uber Carshare
Best Use of Research and Insights
AI & Music - APRA AMCOS
Best Non-Traditional Business Opportunity
PetWatch - Howatson+Company for Petbarn
Best Media Relations-Led Campaign
For Every Child – SOCIETY for Australian Education Union
Best New PR Talent of the Year
Anna Hobdell - The Lottery Corporation
PR Professional of the Year
Lauren Myers - BBC Studios
PR Leader of the Year
EJ Granleese - History Will Be Kind
Best PR Employer
Think HQ
Best PR Team of the Year - In-house
Merlin Entertainments
PR Agency of the Year - Boutique/Small
Think Communications
PR Agency of the Year - Midsize
Sefiani
PR Agency of the Year - Large
Eleven
EVENT DETAILS
25 March 2026 | Crown Sydney
Timings:
Pre-Ceremony Drinks: 6:30pm
Awards Ceremony: 7:00pm - 11:00pm (AEST)
Getting There:
1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000
Click here for more information on getting there.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and live. We celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and connections to the lands and waters of NSW. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.