What a year 2024 has proven to be. And how quickly it’s gone.

It seems like just last week, we were putting the finishing touches on our write-ups of last year’s winners: double-checking whether Howatson+Company was all one word with no spaces, debating whether “CHEP Network” was correct or whether simply “CHEP” would do and, of course, asking if the “part of Accenture Song” bit was really necessary for The Monkeys. Similarly, it seems like only yesterday we were in Tropical North Queensland for the Cannes in Cairns extravaganza.

Since then, a lot has changed. Life imitated art for the Murdochs, a matter that is still unsettled. We (largely) seem to have made our peace with AI—and god knows there are some big deals now being done in that space. Australia caught up with the likes of the US, UK and Canada in launching its Ad Net Zero Chapter.

In fact, it might seem the only constant from last year into this were Qantas and Optus lurching from PR calamity to PR catastrophe. But there was another constant: our exceptional adlanders.

In an unceasingly unforgiving market, Australia’s agencies have remained exceptional. You have navigated choppier waters than ever, finding rapidly vanishing audiences and delivering them globally unmatched creative to keep producing results for your clients. But there are some agencies (and client-side marketing teams and tech providers) that have truly stood above the rest. You’ll find all of them below.

If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to take a moment to thank some people. First, our sponsors: Audience360, Boomtown, CRA, Displaywise, GumGum, Hivestack, MiQ, Samsung Ads and YouTube. Without you, the B&T Awards would simply not be possible. Second, I’d like to thank the B&T editorial team for their exceptional work this year. Third, I’d like to thank the broader Misfits Media team—the work you produce never ceases to amaze me.

And finally, I’d like to thank everyone who entered this year’s awards, we have rarely seen such an incredibly strong field. Without your continued support, the B&T Awards would not happen. As we enter our 75th year in 2025, I’d like to hope that you stay with us for the next 75.

We hope you have an unforgettable night and collect plenty of trophies for the pool room!

Yours,
Tom Fogden, B&T Editor.