Finalists revealed for Mediaweek's Next of the Best Awards, 2025

Mediaweek is proud to reveal the finalists for the Next of the Best Awards 2025, our annual celebration of the rising stars shaping the Australian media, marketing, and creative industries.

The winners, from the shortlisted names below, will be announced at the Next of the Best Awards at the W Sydney on Friday, June 13.

Sponsored by News Corp Australia, LISTNR, and Rolling Stone AU/NZ, this promises to be an unforgettable night.

You can buy tickets here.

Here are the Next of the Best finalists (in no particular order). A huge congratulations to everyone on the shortlist; your passion, creativity, and impact are driving the industry forward, and we’re delighted to celebrate your achievements.

Media Salesperson

Lisa-Marie Lavocah, Mamamia
Ari Petropoulos, News Corp Australia
Bree Tassell, oOh!media
Izabella Paoliello, GroupM
Madeleine Smith, oOh!media
Leona McConnell, oOh!media
Bryce Crosswell, SCA
Emily Clifford, oOh!media
Tara Peck,The Guardian
Rianna Danis, News Corp Australia
Jack Castles, Vinyl Media
Patrick Condon, Foxtel Media
Danielle O'Meara, oOh!media

Media Planner & Buyer

Rachel Knight, dentsu QLD
Cleo Lam, Spark Foundry
Josh Fick, dentsu QLD
Danica Berjanovic, OMD
Monique Gerada, dentsu QLD
Courtney Cholakos, dentsu QLD
Cassie Broad, Starcom
Lennie Butler, Spark Foundry
Jun Sayabath, UM
Maddie Phillips, dentsu QLD
Liz Lonsdale, Howatson+Company
James Turner, Howatson+Company
Justin Arlt, Wavemaker
Michael Mellington, UM

Journalist (TV/radio/print/digital)

Clare Todhunter, Nine
Matilda Boseley, Guardian Australia
Sharn Jaye, Mamamia
Emily McPherson, Nine
Krista Schade, The Riverine Grazier

TV and Film Production

Jess Eva, Maker Media
Holly Bryar, Bryar Casting
Justin Corbett, Perpetual Entertainment

Audio Talent (Host, Producer, Creator)

Gia Moylan, Deadset Studios
Emily Tresidder, SCA
Ashleigh Smith, SCA
Nicola Dale and Di Edwards, Over the Backfence
Emily Vernem, Mamamia
The Hot Hits with Nic and Loren, SCA
Sean Brown, SCA
Lucy and Nikki, SCA
Jonathon Moran, News Corp Australia

Advertising Creative (Individual or Team)

Mary Karananos, Paramount
Meg Bellemore and Ciara Bowe, Guardian Australia
Mikela Burnham, News Corp Australia
David Vale, HSLR
Caitlin Lee, Steph Yin and Za Rathie, Total Sport + Entertainment

AdTech Specialist

Winne Lui, Nine
Doy Moreau, Audience360
Andrew McKeown, oOh!media
Pranai Devulapalli, oOh!media
Annie Marendaz, The Media Store

Marketing Talent

Emma Petersen, Paramount
Drew Worthington, Vinyl Media
Rose McClelland, oOh!media
Holly Butts, SCA
Kate Hornstein, EVDirect
Angelina Das, News Corp Australia
Marcus Billingham-Yuen, News Corp Australia

Publishing Innovator

John Guanzon, Man of Many
Nicole Douglas, Nine
Stephanie Rigg-Smith, Are Media
Ramon Rodriguez, News Corp Australia
Harry Parsons, Man of Many
Dianna Molinaro, News Corp Australia

Digital Content Creator

Nan's Favourites, The Gifted Group
Silk Cartwright, The Gifted Group
Sharn Jaye, Mamamia
Grace & Matt, The Gifted Group
Gabrielle De Ramos, The Gifted Group
Olivia James, Mamamia
Jenna Benson, ARN
Brittany O'Brien, The Gifted Group

Changemaker

Lily Nielsen, Wavemaker
Santosh Murthy, Identity Communications
Asier Carazo, Atomic 212º
Jazmaree Dawson, EssenceMediacom
Zoe Lassig, Havas Media
Nalina Tran, News Corp Australia
Alyce Wilson, SCA
Sharnee Rawson, Guardian Australia
Kiri Martin, SCA
Luke Amasi, iProspect

Leadership

Julia Sheehan, Leo Australia
Madison Lawler, SQUAD (Mamamia)
Harry Badcock, Abe’s Audio
Jessica Nikolovski, oOh!media
Patrick Whitnall, AiMCO
Asier Carazo, Atomic 212º
Rebecca Ackland, SCA
Chris Ernst, dentsu QLD
Bryce Crosswell, SCA
Marilla Akkermans, Equality Media + Marketing
Jessica Miles, Integral Ad Science
Lorraine Woods, Atomic 212º

Next of the Best key info:

Date: Friday, June 13, 2025 from 6.30pm Location: W Sydney Tickets: Here