AUCKLAND, Today: The Interactive Advertising Bureau of New Zealand (IAB New Zealand) has announced the Executive Judging Panel for the 2025 IAB NZ Digital Advertising Awards.
Now in its 9th year, the Awards celebrate innovation and excellence across a sector worth $2.42 billion in 2024, up 10.8% year-on-year.
More than 125 experts will judge this year’s entries, with the executive panel of eight senior leaders chaired by Gareth Codd, General Manager of Technology, Product and Data at MediaWorks and IAB New Zealand Board Director, acting as Convenor.
Judges will review entries across categories including Sales, Ad Operations, Channel Excellence and Campaign Effectiveness, as well as the top Grand Awards: Media Publisher of the Year, Media Agency of the Year, and Creative Agency of the Year.
New in 2025 is Best Use of Generative AI, celebrating campaigns and strategies that harness emerging AI tools to spark creativity, efficiency and measurable impact. The addition highlights the pace of change and technology’s growing influence.
“Each year the IAB NZ Digital Advertising Awards highlight the incredible talent and innovation within our industry,” says Gareth Codd, Convenor of Judges.
“It’s a privilege to chair such a diverse and experienced executive judging panel, and I look forward to recognising the work that is not only driving business results today but also shaping the future of digital advertising in Aotearoa.”
“Each year the IAB NZ Digital Advertising Awards highlight the incredible talent and innovation within our industry.” – Gareth Codd
2025 Executive Judges include:
- Spencer Bailey – Head of New Zealand, Meta
- Iris Benedikt – Chapter Lead, Head of Digital Performance Marketing, Air New Zealand
- John Buckley – Director of Digital Revenue & Strategy, Stuff
- Gareth Codd – General Manager of Product, Technology & Data, MediaWorks (Convener)
- Craig Delany – General Manager Commercial, MetService
- Katie Macdiarmid – Chief Information Officer, NZME
- Valerie Walshe – Chief Revenue Officer, TVNZ
- Vanessa Williams – General Manager Marketing & Media, realestate.co.nz
The full list of judges is available online. The 2025 IAB NZ Digital Advertising Awards take place at Shed 10/Level 1 on Thursday 20 November, with tickets available from 5 September.
Sponsors include Blis, Hype & Dexter, LUMO, Market Media, Meta, MediaWorks Rova, NZME, Perion, SKY NZ, Stuff, The Trade Desk, Trade Me, TVNZ, Vistar Media, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
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