IHAC Awards 2026 judging panel revealed

The In-House Agency Council (IHAC) has unveiled its 26-strong judging panel for the 2026 IHAC Awards.

The judges are from Amazon, TikTok, Westpac, Telstra, Optus, Sportsbet, Mars, Bupa, Youi, Sydney Opera House, Seek, Wesfarmers Health, Bentley Systems, Val Morgan, Nexxen, Springboards.ai and -lution.

Now in its fourth year, the IHAC Awards assess work across eight categories, including new awards for Best Use of AI, Best Use of Media and Leader of the Year.

“In-house and hybrid teams are producing work at an extraordinary pace and scale. Last year we saw nearly triple the number of entries, which tells us just how quickly in-house capability is growing and how much pride teams are taking in their work,” said Abby Blackmore, head of IHAC.

“This judging panel reflects the reality of where great work is coming from today - inside brands. To be judged by leaders of this calibre is meaningful recognition, and in 2026, we’re excited to see even more teams put their hands up and showcase what they’ve created,” said Blackmore.

The judges

Best Integrated Campaign and Best Use of Media:
Mike Worden - Chief Media Officer, -lution
Kate Blakeley - Agency Development Manager, Amazon
Liam O’Meara - National Sales Director - Digital, Val Morgan
Tanja Williams - Head of Client Success APAC, Nexxen
Liana Dubois - Managing Director ANZ, Entertainment Partners
Tim Hernardi - General Manager, Marketing, Sportsbet
Benjamin Oliver - Media & ICP Lead ANZ - Pet Nutrition, Mars
Phil Spurden - Associate Director, Digital Marketing,

Best Creative Work and Award for Good:
Nick Thomas - Partner, -lution
Anna Jackson - Head of Brand, Content & Creative, Westpac
Sheena Sudra - Executive Director, Marketing, Keypath Education
Pete Randeria - Marketing Director, T2
Naomi Driver - General Manager Marketing, Bupa
Kerry Kalcher - Head of Marketing & Engagement, Canteen
Melissa Gamble - National Marketing & Communications Manager, Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia
Gemma Poesaste - Head of In-House Agency, Roam, Telstra

Best Use of AI and Award for Agility:
Adam Murphy - Insights & Innovation, -lution
Pip Bingemann - Founder & CEO, Springboards.ai
Nichola Quail - Co-Founder & APAC Member, AI Marketers Guild
Victoria Walker - Chief of Staff, Design, Bentley Systems
Sophie Harris - Senior Manager, Brand & Marketing Operations, Wesfarmers Health
Angela Greenwood - Chief Marketing Officer, Youi
Sarah Hetherington - Executive Manager, Creative Services, CBAgency

Leader of the Year:
Abby Blackmore - Head of IHAC
Amy Lee - Recruitment Lead, -lution
Kelly Umberfield - Head of Agency AU/NZ, TikTok
Alexander Concannon - Chief Marketing Officer, Valiant
Belinda Watson - Head of APAC Content & Creative Studio, Seek
Stephen O’Connor - General Manager Marketing, Sydney Opera House
Michael Sinclair - Head of Brand Performance, DDB

Entries are free to enter and open to in-house and hybrid teams across Australia and New Zealand until 6 February.

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