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
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
First entry submissions are due 5 December 2025.
WHO SHOULD ENTER THE AWARDS?
Are you a standout player in the world of PR and communications? Have you and your team developing innovative campaigns and achieving remarkable results? If so, this is your chance to shine.
Be sure to enter if you work in the following areas:
- PR and Brand Communications
- Social Media and Influencer Marketing
- Stakeholder, External, Media or Community Relations
- Corporate (including CSR) or Public Affairs
- Employee Communications
- Marketing Communications
- Publicity
- Account Management and Business Development
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
AUDIO PARTNER
EVENT DETAILS
25 March 2026 | Crown Sydney
Timings:
Pre-Ceremony Drinks: 6:30pm
Awards Ceremony: 7:00pm - 11:30pm (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.