Our Definitive List of The Best Creative Advertising Agencies in Australia in 2025
We’ve been fortunate to partner with the very best creative advertising agencies across Australia. And we’ve seen first-hand how a high-performing creative agency plays a crucial role in driving business success and enhancing the marketing impact of our clients’ brands, campaigns and initiatives. After all, the Australian advertising and marketing industry is home to some of the world’s most outstanding creative advertising agencies, celebrated for their exceptional creativity, strategic expertise, award-winning work and integrated marketing solutions that deliver real business growth. From Sydney to Melbourne, Brisbane and beyond, we’re lucky to have been able to work with the top creative advertising agencies in Australia. All recognised globally for their excellence in creativity, brand strategy and AI-powered innovation. Below is our list of the top creative advertising agencies in Australia we’ve had the privilege and pleasure of working with.
Our Criteria for Ranking Australia’s Best Creative Advertising Agency Partners
Any list of world-class Australian creative agencies must apply a thorough evaluation and ranking process of the following key criteria:
We assessed each agency’s standing within the advertising industry, focusing on accolades such as Cannes Lions, Effie Awards, and prominent Australian honours including AdNews, Campaign Brief, Mumbrella, B&T, AWARD Awards, and the APAC and Australian Effies. Consistent recognition across these platforms signals excellence in creativity, innovation, and marketing performance.
2. Client Portfolio & Campaign Success
We reviewed the breadth, quality, and longevity of each agency’s client relationships, along with standout campaign case studies. Agencies that serve both established brands and emerging businesses, and deliver measurable outcomes, demonstrate adaptability and effectiveness across diverse markets.
3. Creative Quality & Innovation
We evaluated creative output across media channels including print, TV, radio, social media, PR, and digital. Agencies were rated on originality, storytelling, and the ability to craft compelling, innovative solutions tailored to each brand’s unique challenges.
4. Digital Expertise & Social Media Reach
With digital platforms playing a central role in modern marketing, we examined each agency’s capabilities in areas like social media, programmatic advertising, performance marketing, and data analytics. We also considered their use of emerging technologies such as AI and VR to create integrated campaigns.
5. Strategic Insight & Planning
We looked at how agencies develop brand and creative strategies aligned with client goals. This included their approach to market research, consumer insights, brand positioning, and media innovation. Agencies that translate strategic thinking into impactful campaigns stood out.
6. Innovation & Market Responsiveness
We analysed how agencies embrace new technologies and adapt to evolving market conditions. This included their response to shifts like the COVID-19 pandemic, investment in R&D, and agility in navigating emerging platforms and trends.
7. Client Feedback & Satisfaction
We considered testimonials, case studies, and direct client input to gauge satisfaction and results. Agencies with long-term client relationships and strong word-of-mouth endorsements were rated highly.
8. Market Presence & Business Growth
We assessed each agency’s size, market share, and growth trajectory. While scale isn’t everything, agencies with a strong presence often have the resources to manage complex, multi-channel campaigns. Growth and new client acquisition were also key indicators.
9. Specialist Expertise & Service Range
We identified unique specialisations that set agencies apart, such as sector-specific knowledge (e.g., finance, healthcare, tech) and niche services like experiential marketing or influencer partnerships. Agencies with deep expertise offer more tailored and impactful strategies.
10. Team Leadership, Talent & Diversity
We reviewed the experience and credentials of agency leaders and creative teams. Agencies led by seasoned professionals and those investing in emerging talent were viewed favourably. Diversity within teams was also a key factor, as inclusive cultures foster broader perspectives and more resonant creative work.
1. HERO – Campaign Brief Australia Agency of the Year 2024 & 2025
For the second consecutive year, this year HERO once again claimed the top spot on the coveted Campaign Brief Australia Agency of the Year Hot List. Selected from over 300 agency entries, this number one ranking reflects HERO’s consistent delivery of world-class creativity, strategic excellence and integrated marketing solutions that deliver real business impact. True to their mantra “We Turn Brands Into HEROES,” HERO continues to produce groundbreaking work recognised for both its world-class creativity and effectiveness.
Year after year, HERO’s ranked at the top of Australia’s most awarded agencies, for both creativity and effectiveness. Its accolades include being named #1 Independent Agency by both the Effies APAC and Australian Effies, and winning Agency of the Year titles from the New York Festivals, Mumbrella, AdNews, B&T, and Campaign Brief. HERO’s work has also been recognised globally at top-tier festivals including Cannes Lions, One Show, Clios, London International Awards, D&AD, Adfest, and Spikes Asia.
In the past year alone, HERO reinforced its reputation with standout campaigns like Maybelline’s globally-acclaimed Through Their Eyes campaign, which earned a Grand Prix at Mad Stars, Gold at AWARD, and top honours at Spikes Asia, along with a Silver Cannes Lion. HERO’s work for Toyota and Fujifilm also received widespread acclaim, with the Fujifilm Instax Mindography campaign winning at Spikes Asia and being recognised in the Mumbrella Award for Innovation. HERO’s creative leadership was further celebrated with wins for Social Media Campaign of the Year and Game Changer of the Year at AdNews.
In 2025, HERO was also Australian Independent Creative Agency of the Year at WINA Festival (World Independent Advertising Awards). The win marks the first time in the Festival’s 10 year history that an Australian agency has appeared in the global award show’s Top 10 winners. HERO was awarded the prestigious Grand prix and a Gold trophy in Promo Activation for The Toyota C-HR Diamond Collection, Silver in Innovation / Product Innovation for Fujifilm Mindography, and Bronze in Media / Alternative Media The Toyota C-HR Diamond Collection, sealing HERO’s place as Australia’s most awarded independent creative agency.
HERO was also Australian Agency of the Year – and HERO Australia’s most awarded independent creative advertising agency – at the New York Festivals. Even HERO’s office is award winning: the HERO HQ is the only media and marketing business in Australia listed in the prestigious Australian Interior Design Awards, the Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) and the global INDE. Awards.
2. McCann – Renowned for the Most Awarded Campaign in Cannes Lions History
McCann Australia has earned a global reputation as one of the most creatively celebrated and effective agencies, including being named the most awarded agency in the world. Its legendary “Dumb Ways to Die” for Metro Trains remains the most awarded campaign in advertising history and catapulted McCann Australia to the top of the global awards charts. Our own experience working alongside McCann has been nothing less than outstanding in every way.
Indeed, McCann has consistently topped rankings for creativity and effectiveness, including the Effie Awards, Campaign Brief Hot List, and the WARC 100. The agency’s work is regularly honoured at international festivals such as Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, New York Festivals, and London International Awards, as well as local platforms like Mumbrella, B&T, AdNews, MADC, BADC, and AWARD Awards.
As part of the McCann Worldgroup, the agency combines global scale with local insight, operating across 120+ offices in 95 countries while maintaining a strong independent presence in Australia. This dual capability has enabled McCann to deliver award-winning campaigns across sectors—from Mastercard and University of Melbourne to V/Line, whose “Guilt Trips” campaign won the Cannes Lion Grand Prix for Creative Effectiveness.
3. SMART – A Strategic Alternative to Traditional Thinking
Founded in a drafty Melbourne church, SMART evolved into a leading independent agency across Melbourne, Sydney, Queensland, and New Zealand. Built by former multinational agency leaders, SMART was designed to be the kind of agency they always wanted to work in: strategic, creative and unconventional. SMART has gone on to be recognised globally and locally, with accolades from AdNews, B&T, and Campaign Brief, as well as awards from Effies, Cannes Lions, New York Festivals, and One Show. Its client roster includes adidas, ANZ, Coca-Cola, Ferrero, Levi’s, McDonald’s, Specsavers, Unilever, Volvo, and Vodafone. We have worked extensively with SMART over the years and consider them to be an outstanding creative partner.
4. The Red Republic – Reputational Firepower Through Owned and Earned Creativity
Continuing the theme of independent creative forces, it’s only fitting that we include The Red Republic as another standout creative agency known for bold ideas and strategic storytelling. By blending creativity with commercial focus, Red Republic delivers campaigns that are not only visually striking but also drive real results across PR, digital, and social platforms. Their strength lies in a collaborative team culture that brings together experts across disciplines. Agile, trend-savvy, and deeply client-focused, The Red Republic consistently creates work that resonates, builds lasting impact, and keeps brands ahead of the curve.
5. BBE – Better Brand Experiences
BBE is the agency that has built its name and its fame on delivering Better Brand Experiences. This includes multi award-winning campaign’s like the Victoria Police force’s, ‘Senior Constable Laurie Fox’. This moving campaign told the tragic story of Senior Constable Laurie Fox, who took his own life but became an unexpected police spokesperson through Deep Fake technology, which recreated his likeness to spearhead a campaign breaking down the barriers that prevented officers from talking about mental health issues and suicide. The campaign was awarded for its outstanding effectiveness at the APAC Effies with 2 Golds, 1 Silver and a Commendation Special Grand Prix. The campaign was also awarded at the Caples, B&T and MADC Awards, as well as at the AdNews, Mumbrella, One Show, Webby, AWARD and Ad Stars Awards.
