Let’s be brutally honest.
Wedging a strict awards deadline in amongst an Easter chocolate coma and a chaotic maze of four-day work weeks was always going to test the limits of an industry that runs almost entirely on caffeine, willpower, and 11th-hour deck revisions.
So, when the inbox started overflowing with agencies, publishers, and brands ‘suggesting’ they’d like just a little more time to get their submissions polished, we thought it best to do the right thing.
Consider this your official, public-holiday-induced reprieve.
We’ve extended the deadline for the 2026 Mediaweek Next of the Best Awards to 23:59 on Friday, 1 May.
Flex your bench strength
But here’s a free piece of intel from behind the portal doors. This program isn’t just about scoring your organisation another shiny desk ornament.
The sharpest agencies, platforms, and brands work the system. They aren’t relying on a one-person show. They’re flexing the depth of their entire bench, and putting forward multiple leaders and entries.
From creatives and strategists through to product, partnership and commercial specialists, these are the people who do the heavy lifting and drive real, tangible outcomes across the board.
If you have individuals across your business delivering standout work, don’t leave them unrecognised while your competitors take the spotlight.
We’re looking for the absolute best across: Creative & Content, Product & Innovation, Audience & Growth, Partnerships & Commercial, and Purpose & Impact.
Zero excuses left
Don’t leave your good work on the table. We mapped the industry into four distinct tribes, and 16 leadership categories to make it easy. Not sure how that went, but there’s still time to claim your space:
The Growth Engines
• Agency Media Leadership
• Sales & Commercial Leadership
• Partnerships Leadership
• Retail and Commerce Leadership
The Architects
• Product & Innovation Leadership
• Data & Insights Leadership
• Publisher & Platform Leadership
• Entrepreneur
The Magnets
• Agency Creative Leadership
• Brand & Growth Leadership
• Influence & Audience Leadership
• Audio & Entertainment Leadership
The Guardians
• News & Journalism Leadership
• People & Culture Leadership
• Sustainability & Purpose Leadership
• Change Maker
Remember, the absolute titans of the industry, such as OMD Australia chief executive Sian Whitnall, Westpac chief growth and marketing officer Michelle Klein, and Foxtel Media chief executive Mark Frain– will judge your work.
These leaders actively control massive budgets and hire the top tier of talent. Having them review your submission is a career-defining opportunity.
And the best part? It costs zero dollars to enter. The form is quick and simple to complete. You’ll spend more time sitting in a WIP meeting discussing when to schedule the next WIP meeting.
The portal doors remain open just a little bit longer, but this really is the final call.
You have no more long weekends left to save you, (well ok- there’s one) and our judges are waiting.
Start your entry here. See you on the finish line.