IHAC.
The In-House Agency Council (IHAC) has revealed its judging panel for the IHAC Awards 2026.
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.
Best Integrated Campaign & Use of Media includes, Mike Worden – chief media officer, -lution (Lead Judge), Kate Blakeley – agency development manager, Amazon, Liam O’Meara – national sales director – Digital, Val Morgan, Tanja Williams – head of client success APAC, Nexxen (Lead Judge), Liana Dubois – managing director ANZ, entertainment partners, Tim Hernardi – general manager, marketing, Sportsbet, Benjamin Oliver – media & ICP Lead ANZ – Pet Nutrition, Mars and Phil Spurden – associate director, digital marketing, Optus.
Best Creative Work & Award for Good includes Nick Thomas – partner, -lution (Lead Judge), Anna Jackson – head of brand, content & creative, Westpac, Sheena Sudra – executive director, marketing, Keypath Education, Pete Randeria – marketing director, T2 (Lead Judge), Naomi Driver – general manager marketing, Bupa, Kerry Kalcher – head of marketing & engagement, Canteen, Melissa Gamble – national marketing & communications manager, Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia and Gemma Poesaste – head of In-House Agency, Roam, Telstra.
Best Use of AI & Award for Agility includes Adam Murphy – insights & innovation, -lution (Lead Judge), Pip Bingemann – founder & CEO, Springboards.ai, Nichola Quail – co-founder & APAC Member, AI Marketers Guild, Victoria Walker – chief of staff, design, Bentley Systems (Lead Judge), Sophie Harris – senior manager, brand & marketing operations, Wesfarmers Health, Angela Greenwood – chief marketing officer, Youi and Sarah Hetherington – executive manager, creative services, CBAgency.
Leader of the Year includes Abby Blackmore – head of IHAC (Lead Judge), 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 and Michael Sinclair – head of brand performance, DDB
Past IHAC Awards winners include Youi Insurance, Movember, Asahi Beverages and MYOB.
Entries close February 6, 2026.
IHAC head Abby Blackmore said the calibre of the judging panel underscores how far the in-house model has come.
“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 Blackmore.
"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."
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