Entries are now open for the 2026 Australian Effie Awards. This year, BMF, 2025’s Effective Agency of the Year, has supplied the incentive, The Proof is in the Effie, in a campaign that highlights the key ingredients behind successful entries – work with real substance, not just frosting – and the reward once you have the right mix of marketing.
Tony Hale, CEO of Advertising Council Australia, stated “The Proof is in the Effie reinforces what these awards have always stood for. As scrutiny on spend increases, the Effies remain the industry’s clearest validation that disciplined marketing delivers real business results.”
The 2026 program expands opportunities for brands, creative and media agencies to collaborate, reflecting the growing influence of media strategy, data and partnerships in driving effectiveness. New categories for 2026 include International Marketing, Health Marketing, Sponsorship Activity and Best New Entrant (sponsored by Google). Updated and specialist categories, including Media-Led Ideas, Data-Driven and Performance Marketing, further reflect the role of integrated thinking in delivering growth.
Josh Faulks, CEO, AANA, commented, “Demonstrating effectiveness has never been more critical. The Effies matter because they bring clarity by linking strategy, investment, and execution directly to results. That discipline matters now more than ever.”
ACA will host the annual Effie: How To Webinar on March 24, covering entry structure, judging criteria and case writing. Previous winning case studies are available to ACA members, with last year’s work showcased at Inside Effectiveness in Sydney on February 24, and Melbourne on February 26.
Entries are open across more than 30 categories. On-time deadline is Monday May 4.
