Bauer Media has announced the finalists in the Most Popular Television Commercial category at the 61st annual TV WEEK Logie Awards, to be held on the Gold Coast later this year.

Twelve of Australia’s best advertisements are eligible for the new Logie Award.

In its inaugural year, the Most Popular TV Commercial category received an overwhelming number of entries from agencies all across Australia.

A panel of leading industry experts were responsible for shortlisting the numerous submissions and undertook a rigorous selection process in order to narrow down the top 12 advertisements to move forward to the public vote.

2019’s judging panel consisted of: Pippa Chambers, editor of AdNews, James Manning, editor of Mediaweek, Michael Lynch, CEO and founder of Campaign Brief, David Hovenden, editor and publisher of B&T, Thomas Woodgate, editor of TV WEEK, Adam Thorn, bespoke editor at Mumbrella and Jane Waterhouse, general manager of Bauer Media’s Story54.

TV WEEK editor Thomas said: “We had an overwhelming response to this campaign in its very first year and we are thrilled to be submitting some of Australia’s finest creative for the consumer vote.

“It’s been really pleasing to see how the industry has embraced this award. It was our intention to showcase the creativity within the advertising industry and the level of submissions was superb.

“Some of the best creative is being produced right here in Australia and the commercials this year proved that. We were looking for ads that really captured the diverse nature of our country and there were plenty.

“Judging was an extremely tough process, so thank you to all that submitted for making our jobs so difficult! It’ll be over to the public to decide the final winner, so I wish all entrants the very best of luck”.

The top 12 commercials shortlisted for 2019 include

•  Australian Santa crashes Christmas – Aldi, created by BMF
• Dundee: Australia’s Tourism Ad in Disguise – Tourism Australia, created by UM and Droga5

• First Dance – Apple, created by TBWA Sydney, MAL Sydney, MA LA and MA Singapore

• Frank – Westpac, created by DDB Sydney 

• I am the Captain of my Soul – The Invictus Games, created by Edge

• It’s a Mystery – Budget Direct, created by 303 MullenLowe

• Join the Queendom – Bonds, created by Leo Burnett Melbourne

• Lamb Side Story – Meat Livestock Australia, created by The Monkeys

• Making My Christmas – Myer, created by Ikon Communications

• Naked Wrestling – KFC, created by Ogilvy Australia

• Serena Project: I Touch Myself by Berlei J. Walter Thompson Sydney

• Tastes like Australia – Vegemite, created by Thinkerbell 

Public voting officially opens today with the 61st TV WEEK Logie Awards held at The Star Gold Coast in Queensland, June 30.