The people, programs and policies shaping DE&I excellence
Champions of Change is a program that recognizes and celebrates outstanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) achievements within the Australian media, marketing, and advertising industry. It honors the people, programs, and policies creating significant inroads towards a more equitable and inclusive adland.
With almost one in five people likely to leave the industry due to a lack of inclusion or discrimination, Champions of Change aims to inspire progress by recognizing the pioneers in DE&I excellence. The program is open to all media, marketing, and advertising organizations.
The awards will be presented at an evening cocktail party in Sydney.
This award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to fostering DE&I within the workforce. Eligible organizations must showcase holistic, measurable, and sustained policies around recruitment, training, retention, and promotion of underrepresented groups. Entries should demonstrate how these efforts have resulted in tangible outcomes, such as increased diversity in leadership, improved employee engagement, or stronger retention rates among underrepresented groups, illustrating a clear impact on the organization’s culture and long-term DE&I goals.
This award recognizes an internal DE&I initiative that has created meaningful change for an underrepresented group, fostering inclusion, opportunity, and equity within the organization. The initiative must address the specific challenges faced by the group and demonstrate how it has actively worked to overcome these barriers, driving measurable improvements in representation, access, and support within the organization. The group could include a racial or ethnic minority, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, neurodiverse individuals, or another group that has historically faced systemic barriers.
This award recognizes a program or initiative that has made significant contributions to supporting and uplifting diverse communities outside the nominees’ organization. Eligible entries should demonstrate how the initiative has created meaningful opportunities for underrepresented groups, showcasing DE&I efforts that have a measurable impact on society. Successful programs will show tangible outcomes and results, such as increased access to opportunities or resources, improved community engagement, or measurable social change, reflecting the organization’s commitment to creating a positive impact beyond its walls.
This award recognizes an advertising campaign from the last 12 months that demonstrates the power of creativity in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The campaign should authentically represent an underrepresented group, highlighting diverse perspectives and fostering inclusion through powerful messaging. The entry must showcase how the campaign was informed by research, the brief that inspired it, the targeted audience, and its impact. This award celebrates work that challenges stereotypes, pushes creative boundaries, and contributes to greater representation in advertising.
According to the Cannes Lions Global Creativity Report, just 11% of creative directors globally are women. With the lack of gender parity reflected in Australia, this award will honor an individual or agency that is breaking the glass ceiling to inspire change in Australia.
These are the champions. The pioneers. The trailblazers driving DE&I excellence in adland. This award recognizes 15 individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the media, marketing, and advertising industry. Entries should highlight how the nominee has taken action to champion underrepresented groups in their organization, industry, or broader community through measurable policies, initiatives, or programs. The award is open to all industry professionals and can be self-nominated or nominated by an organization.
