AXIS Awards Announces 2025 Finalists

The Comms Council is proud to announce the finalists for the 2025 AXIS Awards.

Representing creativity and innovation across all corners of the industry, this year’s finalists demonstrate the power of ideas brought to life.

With categories ranging from Craft Emerging Talent to Integrated Campaigns, the 2025 AXIS Awards continue to spotlight the best in creative excellence.

Visit the Comms Council website to view the full list of finalists and join on Thursday March 27th  2025 at the Viaduct Events Centre to celebrate their achievements.

CASTING

3&7 -- One NZ, Finding Jade
Good Oil Films -- Department Of Social Services, Stop It At The Start
MOFA -- Olivani, Forever Young
Motion Sickness -- Les Mills, Be Imperfect
Motion Sickness -- The New Zealand Herpes Foundation, Make New Zealand the Best Place in the World to Have Herpes
Scoundrel -- Medical Assurance Society, The Overthinker
THE SWEETSHOP -- Waka Kotahi - New Zealand Transport Agency, Hard Lessons
THE SWEETSHOP -- Auto Trader, Tell New Zealand about your car
THE SWEETSHOP -- Goodman Fielder, I’m Bored Too
THE SWEETSHOP -- Canterbury of New Zealand, Canterbury of New Zealand | 120 Years

PRODUCTION DESIGN

Bastion Shine -- Whittaker’s, Pantry Piece
FINCH Company -- Pure Blonde, A Place Purer Than Yours
Good Oil Films -- Department Of Social Services, Stop It At The Start
Good Oil Films -- Entain, Bet It Out
Scoundrel -- Medical Assurance Society, The Overthinker
THE SWEETSHOP -- Auto Trader, Tell New Zealand about your car

CINEMATOGRAPHY

3&7 -- One NZ, Finding Jade
3&7 -- Waka Kotahi / New Zealand Transport Agency, Safer Vehicles
Motion Sickness -- Les Mills, Be Imperfect
Scoundrel -- Medical Assurance Society, The Overthinker
Supernormal -- World Health Organisation, The Stories Of Our Lives
THE SWEETSHOP -- Waka Kotahi - New Zealand Transport Agency, Hard Lessons
THE SWEETSHOP -- Auto Trader, Tell New Zealand about your car
THE SWEETSHOP -- Canterbury of New Zealand, Canterbury of New Zealand | 120 Years

EDITING

FINCH Company -- BNZ, A World Without Coffee
FINCH Company -- Pepperstone, Don’t Be Fine With It - Tennis
Good Oil Films -- Department Of Social Services, Stop It At The Start
Motion Sickness -- Les Mills, Be Imperfect
THE SWEETSHOP -- Waka Kotahi - New Zealand Transport Agency, Hard Lessons
THE SWEETSHOP -- Auto Trader, Tell New Zealand about your car
THE SWEETSHOP -- Goodman Fielder, I’m Bored Too
THE SWEETSHOP -- Canterbury of New Zealand, Canterbury of New Zealand | 120 Years

ANIMATION

Blockhead VFX & The Sweetshop & Special Group NZ -- Squirrel, Wake Up To The Squirrel Effect
FINCH Company -- Contact, Flatties
Assembly -- Hospitals United for Sick Kids, Lightyears from home

VISUAL EFFECTS

MOFA & Fathom VFX -- Myer, Humbug

DIRECTION

3&7 -- One NZ, Finding Jade
3&7 -- Waka Kotahi / New Zealand Transport Agency, Safer Vehicles
FINCH Company -- New Zealand Herpes Foundation (NZHF), Make New Zealand The Best Place In The World To Have Herpes
FINCH Company -- Pepperstone, Don’t Be Fine With It - Tennis
FINCH Company -- Pepperstone, Don’t Be Fine With It - Suits
Honeymoon Films -- CERT NZ, Use That Password
Motion Sickness -- Les Mills, Be Imperfect
Scoundrel -- Medical Assurance Society, The Overthinker
THE SWEETSHOP -- Waka Kotahi - New Zealand Transport Agency, Hard Lessons
THE SWEETSHOP -- Auto Trader, Tell New Zealand about your car
THE SWEETSHOP -- Goodman Fielder, I’m Bored Too
THE SWEETSHOP -- Canterbury of New Zealand, Canterbury of New Zealand | 120 Years

ORIGINAL COMPOSITION

Liquid Studios -- Whittakers, Pantry Piece
TBWA\New Zealand -- Fonterra Anchor - Milk, Real Good – Alban
TBWA\New Zealand -- Fonterra Anchor - Milk, Real Good – Lance
THE SWEETSHOP -- Canterbury of New Zealand, Canterbury of New Zealand | 120 Years

BEST USE OF ADAPTED MUSIC

Franklin Rd Music & Sound -- Qantas, Qantas - Just the Two of Us
VML and Larry Killip -- Kaibosh, Rescued Jingles

SOUND DESIGN

Liquid Studios -- Waka Kotahi, Motorcycles

ART DIRECTION - DIGITAL

Special -- University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Down For It
Clemenger UnLtd -- Ministry of Social Development, Love Creep

ART DIRECTION - EXPERIENTIAL

Saatchi & Saatchi -- Toyota New Zealand, Hilux Hybrid - 3.5 Tonne Headline
DDB Group Aotearoa -- Sky, House of the Dragon 'Baattlewear'

ART DIRECTION - OUT OF HOME

Augusto / UFO Rodeo -- Sustainable Coastlines, Trash Species of Aotearoa New Zealand
Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, The bacteria that grew a campaign - Fizz
Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, The bacteria that grew a campaign - Sunny Side Up
Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, The bacteria that grew a campaign - Galaxy
Motion Sickness -- Karangahape Road Business Association, EAT IT
Saatchi & Saatchi -- Toyota New Zealand, Hilux Hybrid - 3.5 Tonne Headline
TBWA\New Zealand -- Fonterra - Anchor, Anchor. Real Milk. Real Good.

COPYWRITING - FILM & VIDEO

Clemenger UnLtd -- Ministry of Social Development, Love Creep #07 Threats of Self-Harm
Clemenger UnLtd -- Ministry of Social Development, Love Creep #21 Gaslighting
EightyOne -- MAS, The Overthinker
FCB Aotearoa -- ONE NEW ZEALAND, Finding Jade
Special -- DB Breweries, Export Ultra Cold Call Back Service
Special -- National Cyber Security Centre, Scamathon

COPYWRITING - PRINT

FCB Aotearoa -- NZTA Waka Kotahi, Hard Lessons

COPYWRITING - OUT OF HOME

Colenso BBDO -- Delivereasy, Delivereasy Fish and Chips
Colenso BBDO -- Delivereasy, Delivereasy Only Cowards Surrender

COPYWRITING - RADIO

Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, No Ugly - Perineum Sunning? No thanks
Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, No Ugly - Coffee Enema? No thanks
Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, No Ugly - Yoni Steaming? No thanks
Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, No Ugly Sport - Indoor Soccer
Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, No Ugly Sport - Backyard Cricket
Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, No Ugly Sport - Charity Fun Run

COPYWRITING - DIGITAL

Clemenger UnLtd -- Ministry of Social Development, Love Creep

COPYWRITING - OTHER

Special -- DB Breweries, Export Ultra Cold Call Back Service

DESIGN - 360

4AM -- Auto Trader, Auto Trader - Brand Identity
Motion Sickness Design Office -- Four Words, Four Words

DESIGN - PRODUCT TECH

Colenso BBDO -- Mars, Adoptable. By PEDIGREE.
Daylight -- Sustainable Seas, Tohorā
Motion Sickness -- Whānau Ora, Real-Time Reo

DESIGN - PRODUCT NON-TECH

Saatchi & Saatchi -- Coastal Trail, Trail Raiser

DESIGN - EXPERIENCE

Clemenger UnLtd -- Ministry of Social Development, Love Creep
Colenso BBDO -- Spark New Zealand, Killabyte
Special -- DB Breweries, Export Ultra Cold Call Back Service

DESIGN - IMAGE

Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, The bacteria that grew a campaign
Motion Sickness -- Karangahape Road Business Association, EAT IT
Saatchi & Saatchi -- Toyota New Zealand, Lexus Amazing Replays
Stanley St -- Citizens Advice Bureau, Advice Auctions
Special -- National Cyber Security Centre, Scamathon
TBWA\New Zealand -- Fonterra - Anchor, Anchor. Real Milk. Real Good.

USER INTERFACE DESIGN (UI)

DDB Group Aotearoa -- Volkswagen NZ, The Greenprint

DESIGN - WEBSITE

Assembly -- Ministry of Social Development, Love Creep
Grafik -- Motion Sickness, Design Office

LESS THAN 30 SECONDS

DDB Group Aotearoa -- Goodman Fielder, Puhoi Valley 'Naughty' - Caveman
TBWA\New Zealand -- ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZ Turn off your phone

30 SECONDS

Colenso BBDO -- Bank of New Zealand, Sorry Russell
FCB Aotearoa -- NZTA Waka Kotahi, Safer Vehicles
FCB Aotearoa -- ONE NEW ZEALAND, Power Bill
Saatchi & Saatchi -- Chorus, Avoid Sharing

OVER 30 SECONDS

4AM -- Auto Trader, Auto Trader - Tell NZ About Your Car
EightyOne -- MAS (Medical Assurance Society), The Overthinker
FCB Aotearoa -- ONE NEW ZEALAND, Switcheroo
FCB Aotearoa -- ONE NEW ZEALAND, Finding Jade
FCB Aotearoa -- NZTA Waka Kotahi, Hard Lessons
Motion Sickness -- Les Mills New Zealand, Be Imperfect
Saatchi & Saatchi -- Pepperstone, Don’t Be Fine With It - 80s McEnroe
Saatchi & Saatchi -- Pepperstone, Don’t Be Fine With It - Bad Suit
Special -- DB Breweries, Export Ultra Cold Call Back Service

CAMPAIGNS

FCB Aotearoa -- ONE NEW ZEALAND, Let’s Get Connected
Special -- DB Breweries, Export Ultra Cold Call Back Service
Special -- National Cyber Security Centre, Scamathon
TBWA\New Zealand -- ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZ Putting NZ on Patrol

INNOVATION IN TV, CINEMA, OR VOD

TBWA\New Zealand -- ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZ Putting NZ on Patrol

TV & BROADCAST - LESS THAN 90 SECONDS

Saatchi & Saatchi -- Toyota New Zealand, Lexus Amazing Replays

BRANDED CONTENT CAMPAIGN

Saatchi & Saatchi -- Toyota New Zealand, Lexus Amazing Replays
TBWA\New Zealand -- ANZ Bank New Zealand, Putting NZ on Patrol

MUSIC CONTENT

DDB Group Aotearoa -- McDonald’s New Zealand, Make It Click

INNOVATION IN BRANDED CONTENT

Saatchi & Saatchi -- Toyota New Zealand, Lexus Amazing Replays
Colenso BBDO -- Spark New Zealand, Killabyte

MAGAZINE

FCB Aotearoa -- NZTA Waka Kotahi, Hard Lessons (Mathew)
FCB Aotearoa -- NZTA Waka Kotahi, Hard Lessons (Nigel)
Pitchblack -- Norsewear, Fly the flag

NEWSPAPER

Colenso BBDO -- Mars, Don’t Judge, Adopt: Glasses.
Colenso BBDO -- Mars, Don’t Judge, Adopt: High School.
Colenso BBDO -- Mars, Don’t Judge, Adopt: Goths.
FCB Aotearoa -- Green Cross Health - Life Pharmacy, Thankfully on Uber Eats (Condoms)
FCB Aotearoa -- Green Cross Health - Life Pharmacy, Thankfully on Uber Eats (Rectal Cream)
FCB Aotearoa -- Green Cross Health - Life Pharmacy, Thankfully on Uber Eats (Pregnancy Test)
FCB Aotearoa -- Nestle, Puppy News-pee-per
Stanley St -- Restaurant Brands - KFC, KFCURRENCY

PRINT - CAMPAIGN

FCB Aotearoa -- Green Cross Health - Life Pharmacy, Thankfully on Uber Eats
FCB Aotearoa -- NZTA Waka Kotahi, Hard Lessons

INNOVATION IN PRINT

FCB Aotearoa -- Nestle, Puppy News-pee-per

OUT OF HOME - STANDARD

Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, The bacteria that grew a campaign - Sunny Side Up
Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, The bacteria that grew a campaign - Fizz
FCB Aotearoa -- Mercury, Password’s on the Back
Motion Sickness -- Karangahape Road Business Association, EAT IT
Saatchi & Saatchi -- DB Breweries, Tui - Yeah Righting The Country
Stanley St -- Restaurant Brands - KFC, KFCURRENCY
TBWA\New Zealand -- Fonterra - Anchor, Anchor. Real Milk. Real Good. (Popeye)

OUT OF HOME - SPECIAL BUILD

TBWA\New Zealand -- ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZ x AFC Day One

OUT OF HOME - NON-TRADITIONAL

DDB Group Aotearoa -- McDonald’s New Zealand, McDonald’s Ad-ons
DDB Group Aotearoa -- Sky, House of the Dragon 'Baattlewear'
Dentsu Creative Aotearoa -- Tegel Foods Ltd, Free Range Crowds
Dentsu Creative Aotearoa -- Woolworths New Zealand, The Bee Supermarket
FCB Aotearoa -- Foodstuffs NZ, PAK’nRAVE
FCB Aotearoa -- Foodstuffs NZ - PAK’nSAVE, Wall of Frames
Saatchi & Saatchi -- Toyota New Zealand, Hilux 3.5 Tonne Headline
Special -- Tourism New Zealand, Pou-o-Kai: The restaurant with the most stars
TBWA\New Zealand -- ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZ x AFC Day One

OUT OF HOME - INTERACTIVE

FCB Aotearoa -- Mercury, Big Crowd Energy Meter
FCB Aotearoa -- Mercury, Password’s on the Back
Special -- DB Breweries, Export Ultra Cold Call Back Service

OUT OF HOME - CAMPAIGN

4AM -- Auto Trader, Auto Trader - Win a Billboard OOH Campaign
Colenso BBDO -- Mars, Adoptable. By PEDIGREE.
Colenso BBDO -- Mars, Don’t Judge, Adopt.
DDB Group Aotearoa -- McDonald’s New Zealand, McDonald’s Ad-ons
Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, The bacteria that grew a campaign
FCB Aotearoa -- Green Cross Health - Life Pharmacy, Awkboards
Motion Sickness -- Karangahape Road Business Association, EAT IT
Motion Sickness -- Whānau Ora, Real-Time Reo
Stanley St -- Restaurant Brands - KFC, KFCURRENCY

TRANSIT

DDB Group Aotearoa -- Volkswagen NZ, The Greenprint
Saatchi & Saatchi -- Toyota New Zealand, Hilux Hybrid - 3.5 Tonne Headline
Special -- KFC, All aboard the Gravy Train

INNOVATION IN OUT OF HOME

Colenso BBDO -- Mars, Adoptable. By PEDIGREE.
FCB Aotearoa -- Green Cross Health - Life Pharmacy, Awkboards
Motion Sickness -- Whānau Ora, Real-Time Reo
Saatchi & Saatchi -- Toyota New Zealand, Hilux Hybrid - 3.5 Tonne Headline

RADIO - 30 SECONDS OR LESS

TBWA\New Zealand -- ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZ Fraud Reflections - Black Friday
TBWA\New Zealand -- ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZ Fraud Reflections - Cyber Monday
TBWA\New Zealand -- ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZ Fraud Reflections - Boxing Day

RADIO - OVER 30 SECONDS

Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, Charity Fun Run
Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, Backyard Cricket
Droga5 Aotearoa, Part of Accenture Song -- No Ugly, Indoor Soccer

RADIO - CAMPAIGNS

Clemenger UnLtd -- Ministry of Social Development, Going Through The Emotions
Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, Weird Wellness? No thanks
Droga5 Aotearoa -- No Ugly, Say Yes Please to Winning
FCB Aotearoa -- Green Cross Health - Life Pharmacy, Thankfully on Uber Eats
Pitchblack Partners -- VTNZ, Pete from Papakura
TBWA\New Zealand -- ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZ Fraud Reflections

INNOVATIVE USE OF RADIO & AUDIO

Federation -- Maritime New Zealand, The World’s Longest Safety Briefing
Federation -- Maritime New Zealand, Trip Report Takeover
Special -- DB Breweries, Export Ultra Cold Call Back Service

LONGFORM AUDIO

FCB Aotearoa -- Foodstuffs NZ, PAK’nRAVE
Federation -- Maritime New Zealand, The World’s Longest Safety Briefing

DIRECT - PHYSICAL

Federation -- Maritime New Zealand, Safety Message In A Bottle
Saatchi & Saatchi -- Coastal Trail, Trail Raiser

DIRECT - DIGITAL

Clemenger UnLtd -- Ministry of Social Development, Love Creep
Colenso BBDO -- Mars, Meowzer
Colenso BBDO -- Mars, Adoptable. By PEDIGREE.
FCB Aotearoa -- Mercury, Password’s on the Back
Special -- DB Breweries, Export Ultra Cold Call Back Service
Stanley St -- Citizens Advice Bureau, Advice Auction

DIRECT - CAMPAIGN

Clemenger UnLtd -- Ministry of Social Development, Love Creep
DDB Group Aotearoa -- Goodman Fielder, Vogel’s 'Certified Toasters'
Special -- DB Breweries, Export Ultra Cold Call Back Service
Stanley St -- Citizens Advice Bureau, Advice Auctions
TBWA\New Zealand -- ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZ Putting NZ on Patrol

CREATIVE USE OF DATA IN DIRECT

Colenso BBDO -- Mars, Meowzer
Colenso BBDO -- Spark New Zealand, Killabyte
Colenso BBDO -- Mars, Adoptable. By PEDIGREE.
DDB Group Aotearoa -- Goodman Fielder, Vogel’s 'Certified Toasters'

INNOVATION IN DIRECT

Colenso BBDO -- Mars, Adoptable. By PEDIGREE.
Special -- DB Breweries