Here’s the shortlist for the 2025 AIMCO Awards

The 2025 AIMCO Awards shortlist has been revealed.

The announcement:

The Australian Influencer Marketing Council (AiMCO) today unveiled the shortlist for its prestigious 2025 AiMCO Awards, with a record number of entries shortlisted.

More than 100 creators, brands and industry representatives have been selected on the shortlist from a record 255 entries submitted for this year’s awards, which recognise the best and brightest in the nation’s influencer marketing sector (see full shortlist below).

This year’s awards include several new categories, including Best Long-Term Ambassador & Partnership, Best Creator-Led Brand & Business, Unsung Hero, Best Standalone Influencer Campaign and Marketing Team of the Year.

Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony, held to coincide with the inaugural AiMCO Summit, in February next year. The top accolade, the Most Influential Industry Award, will be selected from the winners across the brand categories.

The AiMCO Awards, now in their fifth year, are the largest celebration of the nation’s influencer marketing industry, honouring the brands, creators, agencies and businesses that are setting the bar for innovation and creativity in the sector.

This year’s entries were reviewed by an expert panel of judges representing leaders across the marketing, media, creative and influencer industries.

AiMCO managing director, Patrick Whitnall, said: “We are thrilled to officially announce the shortlist for the 2025 AiMCO Awards. To have 110 creators, brands, agencies and industry talent represented on this year’s shortlist is incredible, and speaks to the calibre and growth in our industry over the past 12 months.

“This year, our judging panel had the challenging task of reviewing more than 250 submissions, each showcasing an unparalleled depth and breadth of creativity, character and originality. I’d like to thank our judges for their efforts – we were overwhelmed with the quality of the submissions, and we look forward to formally acknowledging the best of the best in our industry in February.”

The 2025 AiMCO Awards Major Partner is AI-powered influencer marketing technology Fabulate, with more partners soon to be announced.

This year’s shortlist is below and can also be found at http://www.aimco.org.au/aimco-awards-2025-shortlist

 

2025 AiMCO Awards shortlist:

CREATORS

Best Food & Beverage Creator

• Kate Jenkinson, Neuralle (@katejenko)
• Chloe Wheatland, Made by Muse Agency (@chloeevegan)
• Steph de Sousa (@steph_cooks_stuff)
• George Georgievski (@schoollunchbox)
• Adrian Widjonarko (@adrianwidjy)

Best Beauty, Fashion & Style Creator

• Rach D’Oliveira, Day Management (@rachel_de_oliveira)
• Joanna Fleming (@joannafleming)
• Razia Moe, One Daydream (@raziamoe)
• XiaoXiao Wang, One Daydream (@xiaoxiaowangg)
• Ben Blue, JRM Group (@ben_blue)

Best Comedy & Entertainment Creator

• Kick It Forward, Neuralle (@kick.it.forward)
• Macfarlane Bros, Neuralle (@macfarlanebros)
• Clayton’s World, JRM Group (@claytons_world_)
• Toni and Ryan (@ryan.jon and @tonilodge)
• Rhylee Passfield, JRM Group (@rhyleep)

Best Gaming Creator

• Aussie Antics, Click Media (@ausantics)
• Eystreem, Spawnpoint Media (@eystreem)

Best Home, Lifestyle & Travel Creator

• Loui Burke, Day Management (@louiburke)
• Brooke Styles, Born Bred Talent (@brooke.styles)
• Haz and Loz, Made by Muse Agency (@haz_and_loz)
• Jiny Maeng, Born Bred Talent (@jiny.maeng)
• Adrian Widjonarko (@adrianwidjy)

Best Family, Parenting & Pets Creator

• Ben McIntosh, Day Management (@benjmcintosh)
• Brooke Thomo, Huume Management (@cedarandsprinkle)
• Clayton’s World, JRM Group (@claytons_world_)
• Princess Honeybelle (@princesshoneybelle)
• The Haddad Family, JRM Group (@thehaddadfamily_)

Best Health, Fitness & Sport Creator

• Elloise Fit, Huume Management (@elloise_Fit)
• Sebastian Serrano-Valladares, ICON Management (@9to5ver)
• Tina Rahimi, Born Bred Talent (@tinarahimii)
• Tony Rhee, Born Bred Talent (@thefunctn)
• Tori Singleton, Vive Management (@ttorisstory)

Best Business & Finance Creator

• Tash Invests, Huume Management (@tashinvests)
• Ella Maegraith, ICON Management (@smileycitrus)

Best Creator-Led Podcast

• Two Doting Dads (@twodotingdads)
• Date with Tait (@datewithtait)
• Toni and Ryan (@ryan.jon and @tonilodge)

Rising Star

• Steph de Sousa (@steph_cooks_stuff)
• Tait McGregor (@taitmcgregor)
• Rhylee Passfield, JRM Group (@rhyleep95)
• Adelle Petropoulos, One Daydream (@a_p_artistry)
• Emily Kristopher, JRM Group (@emilykristopher)
• Mumma Mic (@mumma.mic)

Influence for Good

• Steph De Sousa (@steph_cooks_stuff)
• Esme Louise James (@esme.louisee)
• Brother Boys, JRM Group (@the_brotherboys)

Best Long-Term Ambassador/Partnership (2+ years)

• Steph de Sousa and Aldi Australia (@steph_cooks_stuff)
• Shayla Jay and Contiki, Day Management (@itsshaylajay)

Best Creator-Led Business

• Spawnpoint Media (@eystreem)
• Taz and Alessia (@tazandalessia)
• Steph de Sousa’s The Frugal Foodie and Queen of Easy Recipes (@steph_cooks_stuff)

BRAND

Best Food & Beverage Campaign

• Activia’s Wellness Collective (Always Human)
• Australian Pork, Porkmas Carol feat. My Nonna Fina (Hello)
• Wingstop, Australia’s biggest new brand launch of 2025 (Hello)
• McCain SuperFries Cinematic Universe (OMG Content)
• Aldi, Real Food. Real People. Real Influence. (Social Soup)

Best Beauty, Fashion & Style Campaign

• Rimmel reimagines their Australian Music Strategy (COTY)
• Lynx’s Scented Love Campaign (Hello)
• Neutrogena Ultra Gentle (Publicis Collective)
• Neutrogena Hydronation (Publicis Collective)
• L’Occitane en Provence: Turning Legacy into Lifestyle (Social Soup)

Best Home, Lifestyle & Travel Campaign

• eBay, Parts & Automotive (EssenceMediacom)
• RYOBI x Mighty Car Mods – Ford Falcon XR Drift Project (Techtronic Industries)
• Take a Bref (Wavemaker)
• Kleenex: The Life Changing Loo Roll (We Are Different)
• Klook’s Fandom Tour (Klook)

Best Family, Parenting & Pets Campaign

• Huggies SkinProtect Launch & Bum Masks (Hello)
• Royal Canin Loved by pets. Trusted by those who know. (Social Soup)
• Mustela’s Community of Care (Social Soup)

Best Health, Fitness, Sport & Wellness Campaign

• Numit Numbing Cream (Ego Pharmaceuticals)
• Lynx’s Scented Love campaign (Hello)
• U by Kotex | Ultrathins Conversation Cards (Hello)
• Liquid IV’s Funnest Fun Run (Hello)
• Zyrtec Story Time (Publicis Collective)

Best Entertainment, Gaming & Comedy Campaign

• HBO Max, Australia Launch (EssenceMediacom)
• Paramount+ Australia (Hello)
• Paramount Pictures: Mission: Impossible night run sends Mission: Impossible sprinting to number 1 + biggest Aussie film ever (Hello)
• KitKat, Break Chair (Mindshare Australia)

Best Tech, Business, Finance & Insurance Campaign

• Tyro’s Big Buyout campaign (Hello)
• Superloop, Internet Stick in 2011 (Influential-Publicis Groupe)
• Fujifilm Australia: The Moment Club (We Are Different)

Best Integrated Campaign

• Icons of Culture Feel New in Sydney campaign (Destination NSW)
• Wingstop, Australia’s biggest new brand launch of 2025 (Hello)
• Liquid IV’s Funnest Fun Run (Hello)
• Nescafe Pour It, Mix It, Hack It (HerdMSL)
• Kleenex, The Life Changing Loo Roll (We Are Different)

Best Gifting or Seeding Campaign

• Activia’s Wellness Collective (Always Human)
• Making SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium the hottest ticket in town (Ernest Agency)
• Huggies, SkinProtect Launch & Bum Masks (Hello)
• Aldi, Turning Gifting into Advocacy (Social Soup)
• Launching Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate (Herd MSL)

Influence For Good Campaign

• End Food Waste Australia (Vamp & Hopeful Monsters)
• Influencers deliver much-needed funds (LeapFrogger)
• Australia is for everyone (Tourism Australia)
• Kleenex, The Life Changing Loo Roll (We Are Different)

INDUSTRY

Best Large Agency or Business

• Hello
• Creo | Influence to Impact
• Social Soup
• Theory Crew
• Influence @ WPP Media

Best Boutique Agency or Business

• Ernest Agency
• Hoozu
• Mumpower
• RISER

Best Standalone Influencer Campaign (under $50,000)

• Australian Pork, Porkmas Carol feat. My Nonna Finna (Hello)
• Bunnings, The Feeling of Christmas (Hoozu)
• Klook’s Fandom Tour (Klook)
• Shepmates x BCF Easter Camping with Dads (OMD)
• Coachella (WPP Beauty Tech Labs)

Best Use of Data

• Liquid IV’s Funnest Fun Run, (Hello)
• Lynx’s Scented Love campaign (Hello with Mindshare)
• Neutrogena Hydronation (Publicis Collective)
• Coachella (WPP Beauty Tech Labs)

Most Effective Campaign for ROI

• U by Kotex, Ultrathins Conversation Cards (Hello)
• Paramount Pictures: Mission: Impossible night run sends Mission: Impossible sprinting to number 1 + biggest Aussie film ever (Hello)
• Wingstop, Australia’s biggest new brand launch of 2025 (Hello)

Most Effective Collaboration/Partnership

• U by Kotex, Ultrathins Conversation Cards (Hello)
• Paramount Pictures: Mission: Impossible night run sends Mission: Impossible sprinting to number 1 + biggest Aussie film ever (Hello)
• L’Occitane en Provence, Turning Legacy into Lifestyle (Social Soup)

Best Influencer Marketing Technology or Service

• Creator Flow: Rewriting the Rules of Creator (UGC) Commerce
• Fabulate: Powerful AI for the Creator Economy
• Creo | Influence to Impact
• RISER
• Vamp

AiMCO Trailblazer of the Year

• Alyssa Stevenson, ASM
• Eva Neville, The Gifted Group
• Daniella Kinda, Wavemaker & Influence @ WPP Media
• Stephanie Theonas, WPP Beauty Tech Labs
• Sophie Tonks, WPP Beauty Tech Labs

Unsung Hero Award

• Jess Hope, Create Racket
• Tegan Boorman, Social Law Co
• Sahil Singhvi, WPP Beauty Tech Labs
• Sophie Thomas, WPP Beauty Tech Labs
• Nathan Jones, WPP Beauty Tech Labs

Best Talent Management Agency

• Ace Creators
• Day Management
• JRM Group
• The Gifted Group
• Click Media

Marketing Team of the Year

• COTY Consumer Beauty Advocacy team

• Uber Australia

• Kimberly-Clark IPC marketing team

• MECCA PR & Influencer

• L’Oréal Groupe

Source: Third Avenue Consulting