The first- and last-to-have-launched AOY categories – Creative and Small – close off a week of shortlist announcements with their respective nominees revealed below.
The main AOY category was originally launched 35 years ago, recognizing creative agencies and their impressive body of work (which includes five campaigns, the most of all the categories). Meanwhile, the newest category on the block, Small AOY, launched in 2019, recognizes the nimble independent shops with 50 staffers in their ranks.
This year’s batch of winners will take centre stage in Toronto on November 2, when strategy celebrates the 35th anniversary of its much-anticipated Agency of the Year competition.
In case you missed it, here are the finalists also up for an award in Design, Digital, PR and Media.
Agency of the Year: Shortlist
Broken Heart Love Affair
Cossette
Courage
LG2
McCann
No Fixed Address
Ogilvy
One Twenty Three West
Rethink
Sid Lee
Taxi
Zulu Alpha Kilo
Agency of the Year: Jury
Rachel Abrams, Group CD, Bensimon Byrne
Israel Diaz, founder, Sunday+Night
Stephen Jurisic, Dean, Miami Ad School
Irfan Khan, freelance CD/copywriter
Matt Kohler, managing director, McCain
Matt Litzinger, founder, CCO, The Local Collective
Alanna Nathanson, co-CEO and CCO, G&G Advertising
Rubina Singh, CMO, Wealthsimple
Janie Thériault, director of integrated marketing communications, Loto-Québec
Small Agency of the Year: Shortlist
Angry Butterfly
Cartier
Fuse Create
Hard Work Club
Juliet
Mackie Biernacki
Ray Agency
Target
The Hive
Will
Wunder
Small Agency of the Year: Jury
Heather Cameron, director, brand marketing and creative, DoorDash
Lori Davison, CSO, Diamond
Dan Howe, CMO, Pattison Food Group
Mark Marsolais-Nahwegahbow, founder, Birchbark Coffee Company
Michael Mayes, ECD, Zulu Alpha Kilo
Joanna Monteiro, CCO, Publicis
Dave Nourse, EVP, client success, Art & Science
Janice Ryder, country manager, KitchenAid
Brittany Wilson, director, brand management, Tangerine
