The drinks were flowing and the gongs were going at the B&T Awards 2017 on Friday night, with CHE Proximity proving the big winner.

More than 600 people dressed to the tune of the swinging 60s and packed into Peninsula in Melbourne to find out first hand who would be recognised as the industry’s finest.

The Chaser‘s Andrew Hansen and Craig Reucassel were put in charge of making sure there was a beginning and an end to the evening, playing the role of MCs with much humour.

This year’s entries to the B&T Awards totalled over 400, which our esteemed judges eventually whittled down to 34.

In his opening address, B&T’s editor-in-chief, David Hovenden, acknowledged that the awards ceremony had taken place in the face of adversity.

“Who would have thought Melbourne would turn on whether like this?” he told the damp but spirited crowd.

“However, as all of our finalists tonight are testament to, adversity is actually opportunity. It’s a disruption of the status quo.

“For the fleet of foot tonight, there’s extra meals to be snared and more room on the dance floor.

“In our industry, it’s first mover advantage to be had as new technologies and ways to work see clients looking for fast moving agencies.

“I’m a proud Australian, and I firmly believe we have nothing to fear from the rest of the world and the talent on display in this room is the equal to any in the world.

“In an industry flooded with people from the northern hemisphere namely Britain, last week’s Ashes Test shows they are all at sea in these conditions and not the measure of homegrown talent.

“Australia, it’s time we were fiercely proud of what we have and can do, and while the rest of the world is welcome to join in, don’t expect us to bow down or be bested by you. This is our backyard.”

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of this year’s B&T Awards, and big ups to our esteemed judges and stupendous sponsors.

So, without further ado, here are your winners for the B&T Awards 2017:

Best Ad Campaign

Clemenger BBDO Melbourne – ‘Meet Graham’, Transport Accident Commission Victoria

Best Digital Campaign

Ogilvy Australia – AAMI SmartPlates

Best Media Campaign

Carat – ‘Forza Horizon 3: A Race to Remember’

Best OOH Campaign

Adshel and McCann Melbourne – ‘Made Possible by Melbourne’

Best PR Campaign

Adhesive PR – ‘Pith by Mini’, KitchenAid

Best Programmatic Trading Team

OMG Programmatic Australia

Best Radio Campaign

NOVA Entertainment – ‘Vodafone Powers Nova’

Best TV Campaign

The Monkeys – ‘Celebrate Australia’, Meat & Livestock Australia

Best Use of Mobile

Ogilvy Australia – AAMI SmartPlates

Best Use of Real-time Marketing

The Monkeys – Qantas Out of Office Travelogue

Best Use of Social Media

BMF – ‘You’ve Gotta Have a Team’, Football Federation Australia

Best Use of Sponsorship

The Works – ‘Optus Olympics: The Support Network’

Content Marketing Strategy of the Year

Columbus, MKTG and Dentsu Mitchell – ‘Girls, Make Your Move’, Department of Health

Data-driven Marketing

CHE Proximity – ‘The Hearing Test in Disguise’, Cochlear

Employer of the Year – Over 100 Employees

Lavender

Employer of the Year – Under 100 Employees

The Royals

Marketing Team of The Year

Winner: Woolworths

Highly commended: Barbeques Galore

Marketing Technology Company of the Year

Metigy

Media Brand of the Year

VICE

Media Sales Team of the Year

NOVA Entertainment

Young Achiever of the Year

Jane Burhop, Common Ventures

Emerging Agency of the Year

Emotive

State Agency of the Year – Queensland

Clemenger Brisbane

State Agency of the Year – NSW

The Monkeys

State Agency of the Year – Victoria

Clemenger BBDO Melbourne

Direct Response/Performance Agency of the Year

CHE Proximity

Production Company OF THER YEAR

Revolver/Will O’Rourke

PR Agency of the Year

Red Agency

Independent Agency of the Year

Winner: Atomic 212°

Highly commended: AFFINITY

Research Agency of the Year

The Leading Edge

Branding, Design & CX Agency of the Year

The Works

Media Agency of the Year

PHD Media

Advertising Agency of the Year

CHE Proximity

B&T Agency of the Year

CHE Proximity