We're excited to announce the 2026 IAB NZ Digital Advertising Awards Executive Judging Panel and the full list of over 150 judges - the largest judging panel ever assembled, marking the Awards’ 10th anniversary.
The IAB NZ Digital Advertising Awards recognise the organisations and practitioners driving the digital advertising industry forward, and it's a sector that is rapidly expanding in-line with global growth. Total digital advertising revenue in New Zealand reached $2.967 billion in 2025*, up 12% year-on-year and reaching 72.1% of total advertising revenue**.
Two new category awards join the 2026 programme: The Campaign Effectiveness Award for Best Content Creation Campaign recognises the growing importance of the creator economy, and the Best Use of Sustainability Award, delivered in partnership with Ad Net Zero, recognises sustainable practice across the industry.
Ten years ago, IAB New Zealand established these awards to celebrate the local digital advertising industry," says Angelina Farry, CEO of IAB New Zealand. "This year's judging panel is the largest we've ever assembled - recognising the scale of the industry, and the work and the people keeping New Zealand at the forefront of the industry globally.”
2026 Executive Judges include:
Spencer Bailey, Head of New Zealand, Meta (Convenor)
Iris Benedikt, Marketing Enablement Lead, Air New Zealand
John Buckley, Director of Digital Revenue & Strategy, Stuff
Craig Delany, General Manager Commercial, MetService
Katie Macdiarmid, Chief Information Officer, NZME (IAB New Zealand Chair)
Valerie Walshe, Chief Revenue Officer, TVNZ
Craig Whitaker, Head of Google Marketing Platform, New Zealand
Vanessa Williams, General Manager Marketing & Media, realestate.co.nz
The full list of Awards judges can be viewed at awards.iab.org.nz/judging.
The 2026 IAB NZ Digital Advertising Awards will be held at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) on Thursday 19 November 2026.
A big thank you to our 2026 IAB NZ Digital Advertising Awards sponsors: Blis, Dailymotion, LUMO, Market Media, MediaWorks, Meta, MetService, NZME, Perion, SKY, Stuff, The Trade Desk, Trade Me, TVNZ+, Vistar Media
* IAB New Zealand Q4/CY 2025 Digital Advertising Revenue Report
**ASA New Zealand Advertising Industry Revenue Report 2025