Agency of the Year
These awards recognise agencies specialising in media, public relations or creative services that have driven strong growth and measurable results for their financial services clients. Finalists are highlighted alongside the specific client work that showcases their impact. Success is assessed through metrics such as revenue growth, lead generation, brand recognition and trust, digital performance indicators and the ability to elevate client messaging and market positioning. The 2026 Agency of the Year - PR & Communications award will not proceed to voting but instead be determined by the Financial Standard editorial team.
Campaign of the Year
The Campaign of the Year awards acknowledge campaigns across banking, ETFs, financial advice, financial education, insurance, managed funds, platforms, retirement and superannuation. Campaigns are to have exceeded their campaign objectives and generated a return of investment, including but not limited to, revenue, cost per conversion, return on average spend, overall impressions and reach.
Leader of the Year
These awards honour agency, communication, distribution and marketing managers and leaders who have shown dedication, innovation and strategic thinking. Winners will have achieved success to drive growth for the organisation and clients. Key success metrics and testimonials should be included as part of the submissions. The 2026 Leader of the Year - Communications award will not proceed to voting but instead be determined by the Financial Standard editorial team.
Rising Star of the Year
The Rising Star of the Year award recognises up-and-coming media, distribution and marketing professionals with less than five years of industry experience, who has made an immediate impact on their organisation. The rising stars execute sales, marketing and advertising campaigns, driving new ideas and a strong return of investments.
Team of the Year
These awards recognises teams across distribution and marketing who have worked together to deliver growth across sales, brand awareness and client engagement.
Community Initiative of the Year
This award acknowledges a campaign or initiative that set out to change the access to resources, overall behaviour or affect the thinking of their customers or the wider community. This campaign has achieved the most significant social benefits.
2025 MAX Award Winners
View the 2026 MAX Awards finalists by category
Agency of the Year - Media
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Winner: Fundamental Media |
Finalists:
Fundamental Media
Havas
Nibble Edge
Ptarmigan Media
The Dubs
Agency of the Year - PR & Communications
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Winner: PritchittBland Communications |
Finalists:
Honner
KirkBlancato Communications
Madden & Assoc.
PritchittBland Communications
Reverb Media
Community Initiative of the Year
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Winner: UniSuper - STARS project |
Finalists:
Challenger and Women Up North: Spring Gala
Colonial First State: CFS EmpowerHer
Entireti Foundation
HESTA: HESTA Excellence Awards
UniSuper: STARS project
Campaign of the Year - ETFs
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Winner: Macquarie Asset Management with Fundamental Media: Macquarie Active ETF - Hybrid Campaign |
Finalists:
Fidelity International: Driving Growth and Diversification Beyond US Large Caps
Global X ETFs: Beyond Borders
Macquarie Asset Management with Fundamental Media: Macquarie Active ETF - Hybrid Campaign
Munro Partners: Grounds & Growth Series
PIMCO with Ptarmigan Media: PIMCO EARN ETF Campaign
Campaign of the Year - Financial Advice
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Winner: Stockspot - Smart investing, simplified |
Finalists:
Akumin: Akumin Rebrand
Canaccord Genuity with The Dubs: The Generational Blueprint
ORDE Financial with The Dubs: Building Futures
Otivo: Everyone needs a financial plan
Stockspot: Smart Investing, Simplified
Campaign of the Year - Financial Education
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Winner: Generation Life - Nothing more certain |
Finalists:
Fidelity International: Navigating the AI Book - A Framework for Investing
Generation Life: Nothing More Certain
Neuberger: Neuberger Berman Private Markets Academy
State Street Investment Management: Sustainable Investing Campaign
T. Rowe Price with Fundamental Media: GHI - Debunking the myths of global high income fund
Campaign of the Year - Insurance
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Winner: TAL - Life takes guts |
Finalists:
Budget Direct: Quote First
HCF: Life Protect
NobleOak: Life Insurance
TAL: Life Takes Guts
Zurich: Further, Together
Campaign of the Year - Managed Funds
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Winner: La Trobe Financial - La Trobe Private Credit Fund (LF1) |
Finalists:
BNP Paribas Asset Management with Ptarmigan Media: BNP Paribas Global Absolute Return Bond
Centuria with Fundamental Media: LifeGoals Campaign
Fidelity International: Finding Tomorrow's Future Leaders, Today
La Trobe Financial: La Trobe Private Credit Fund (LF1)
Warakirri Asset Management: Emerging markets equities - the missing piece in your portfolio?
Campaign of the Year - Platforms
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Winner: MLC Expand - MLC Expand Retirement Boost |
Finalists:
AMP North: Where Growth Happens
BT: Built with Intent
MLC Expand: MLC Expand Retirement Boost
Netwealth: Accelerate Summit
Campaign of the Year - Retirement
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Winner: Challenger - Lifetime proposition campaign |
Finalists:
Allianz Retire+: AGILE
AMP North: Where Growth Happens
Challenger: Lifetime Proposition Campaign
Generation Life: Outhinking Today
Campaign of the Year - Superannuation
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Winner: Australian Retirement Trust - Awaken your super |
Finalists:
Aware Super: Now that's super helpful
Australian Retirement Trust: Awaken your Super
CBUS Super: Keeping Your Super Safe
Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation with AIA: AIA Vitality Starter
UniSuper: Retirement Outlook
Rising Star of the Year - Distribution
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Winner: Amber-Lee Kristensen - Janus Henderson |
Finalists:
Lucas Di Falco: Pinnacle Investment Management
Tom Hogan: Global X ETFs
Amber-Lee Kirstensen: Janus Henderson
Baron Pearce: Aoris Investment Management
Rising Star of the Year - Media and Marketing
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Winner:
Media: Arya Mishra - Ptarmigan Media
Marketing: Codey Angeloski - Colonial First State |
Finalists:
Codey Angeloski: Colonial First State
Arya Mishra: Ptarmigan Media
Padmaja Ravi: Fundamental Media
Nicole Sitosta: Aware Super
Annie Wilson: BNP Paribas Asset Management
Leader of the Year - Agency
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Winner: Jack O'Shaughnessy - Fundamental Media |
Finalists:
Mary Hughes: Ptarmigan Media
Katelyn Hynes: Ptarmigan Media
Chris Nardi: Ptarmigan Media
Jack O'Shaughnessy: Fundamental Media
Deepika Rodrigo: Nibble Edge
Leader of the Year - Communications
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Winner: Rebecca Chivers - Insignia Financial |
Finalists:
Rebecca Chivers: Insignia Financial
James Dowling: CBUS Super
Elizabeth McArthur: Future Super
David McNamara: UniSuper
Patrick Wright: Vanguard
Leader of the Year - Distribution
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Winner: Anthony Mardini - Dimensional Fund Advisors |
Finalists:
Anthony Mardini: Dimensional Fund Advisors
Ben Moore: AllianceBernstein
Lisa Salamon: Ellerston Capital
Jordan Tang: Janus Henderson
Scott Thomas: Hamilton Lane
Leader of the Year - Marketing
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Winner: Victoria Gardiner: Macquarie Asset Management |
Finalists:
Karlee Currall: Generation Life
Nicola Duncan: La Trobe Financial
Victoria Gardiner: Macquarie Asset Management
Natasha Millward: Metrics Credit Partners
Dean Weinbren: TermPlus, part of Pengana Capital
Team of the Year - Distribution
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Winner: La Trobe Financial |
Finalists:
BlackRock
Colonial First State
La Trobe Financial
GSFM
Yarra Capital
Team of the Year - Marketing
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Winner: Generation Life |
Finalists:
BNP Paribas Asset Management
Generation Life
La Trobe Financial
Schroders
TermPlus, part of the Pengana Capital Group
