AUCKLAND, Today: A 26-strong judging panel has been locked in for the IHAC Awards 2026, with senior marketing, creative, media and platform leaders set to judge the best in-house and hybrid work across Australia and New Zealand.IHAC-0126
The line-up includes influential decision-makers from Amazon, TikTok, Westpac, Telstra, Optus, Sportsbet, Mars, Bupa, Youi, Sydney Opera House, Seek, Wesfarmers Health, Bentley Systems, Val Morgan, Nexxen, Springboards.ai, -lution and more.
Now in its fourth year, the IHAC Awards span eight categories, including new additions for Best Use of AI, Best Use of Media and Leader of the Year, reflecting the scale and maturity of in-house capability across the region.
IHAC Head Abby Blackmore says the calibre of judges highlights how far the in-house model has come.
“In-house and hybrid teams are producing work at an extraordinary pace and scale. Last year we saw nearly triple the number of entries, which tells us just how quickly in-house capability is growing and how much pride teams are taking in their work.
“This judging panel reflects the reality of where great work is coming from today – inside brands. To be judged by leaders of this calibre is meaningful recognition and in 2026 we’re excited to see even more teams put their hands up and showcase what they’ve created,” said Blackmore.
“This judging panel reflects the reality of where great work is coming from today – inside brands.” – Abby Blackmore, IHAC Head
All judges will also take part in assessing the overall Agency of the Year award.
Best Integrated Campaign & Best Use of Media
Mike Worden – Chief Media Officer, -lution (Lead Judge)
Kate Blakeley – Agency Development Manager, Amazon
Liam O’Meara – National Sales Director – Digital, Val Morgan
Tanja Williams – Head of Client Success APAC, Nexxen (Lead Judge)
Liana Dubois – Managing Director ANZ, Entertainment Partners
Tim Hernardi – General Manager, Marketing, Sportsbet
Benjamin Oliver – Media & ICP Lead ANZ – Pet Nutrition, Mars
Phil Spurden – Associate Director, Digital Marketing, Optus
Best Creative Work & Award for Good
Nick Thomas – Partner, -lution (Lead Judge)
Anna Jackson – Head of Brand, Content & Creative, Westpac
Sheena Sudra – Executive Director, Marketing, Keypath Education
Pete Randeria – Marketing Director, T2 (Lead Judge)
Naomi Driver – General Manager Marketing, Bupa
Kerry Kalcher – Head of Marketing & Engagement, Canteen
Melissa Gamble – National Marketing & Communications Manager, Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia
Gemma Poesaste – Head of In-House Agency, Roam, Telstra
Best Use of AI & Award for Agility
Adam Murphy – Insights & Innovation, -lution (Lead Judge)
Pip Bingemann – Founder & CEO, Springboards.ai
Nichola Quail – Co-Founder & APAC Member, AI Marketers Guild
Victoria Walker – Chief of Staff, Design, Bentley Systems (Lead Judge)
Sophie Harris – Senior Manager, Brand & Marketing Operations, Wesfarmers Health
Angela Greenwood – Chief Marketing Officer, Youi
Sarah Hetherington – Executive Manager, Creative Services, CBAgency
Leader of the Year
Abby Blackmore – Head of IHAC (Lead Judge)
Amy Lee – Recruitment Lead, -lution
Kelly Umberfield – Head of Agency AU/NZ, TikTok
Alexander Concannon – Chief Marketing Officer, Valiant
Belinda Watson – Head of APAC Content & Creative Studio, Seek
Stephen O’Connor – General Manager Marketing, Sydney Opera House
Michael Sinclair – Head of Brand Performance, DDB
Free to enter and open to in-house and hybrid teams of all sizes across Australia and New Zealand, the IHAC Awards continue to champion the work being built inside brands.
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