This category is open to agencies that have recently set up shop in Malaysia, and been in operation here no earlier than 1 Jan 2022. The agency can be a brand-new independent venture, or be part of an expansion by an established agency overseas. There will be a Local Hero award for this category.

This category recognises outstanding stewardship and excellence from an agency chief executive officer / managing director who has demonstrated exceptional and effective leadership and guidance while making a significant impact to their agency’s overall output.

Entrants can nominate themselves or be nominated by others; this category is limited to CEO/MD level positions, and should show evidence of business impact in the following areas within the eligibility period:

• Single most important achievement
• Operational excellence at the agency
• Leadership and motivation at the agency
• Strategy and implementation
• People development and performance under their watch
• Commercial results against objectives
• Client retention under their watch
• Contributions to the industry at large

Testimonials for this category are encouraged.

This category recognises outstanding work from an agency team which has made a significant impact to their clients’ overall marketing campaigns, executions, and results. Entrants can use one particular campaign as a case study of evidence to form their entry or can use aspects from various projects, but all work must have taken place within the eligibility period and they must show evidence of:

• Outstanding achievements in campaigns and project management
• Creativity and innovation
• Strategic thinking
• Excellent execution
• Successful results against objectives / KPIs
• Any other exceptional achievements or work that especially merits this award.

Testimonials for this category are encouraged.

• Clear and open communication that ensures both parties are on the same page.
• How you developed trust and mutual respect to deliver quality work and make informed decisions.
• How did you ensure an alignment of goals and values to ensure you were committed to the same objectives?
• Collaboration and teamwork: How did you work together to achieve common goals and make decisions that benefited both parties?
• Adaptability and flexibility: How did you adjust to changing circumstances and prove you were open to new ideas and approaches?
• Long-term commitment: How are both parties should be committed to working together over the long term to achieve shared goals.

This award recognises the outstanding efforts of an agency in fostering a positive and inclusive work environment for its people. Judges will be looking at how the entrants implemented effective practices and initiatives to promote employee satisfaction, engagement, and well-being, resulting in a culture that is supportive, collaborative, and promotes employee development. Please include examples of the following:

• Clear and consistent communication: Show how the agency developed open lines of communication, transparent policies and procedures, and/or regular check-ins with employees to help create a culture of trust, accountability and mutual understanding.
• Employee empowerment: Show how the agency encouraged employee ownership of their work by giving them autonomy, resources and support they needed to succeed.
• Recognition and appreciation: Show how the agency displayed appreciation for their staff’s hard work and achievements in order to foster a positive and motivating culture.
• Professional development: Show how the agency invested in the professional development and growth of employees to help create a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
• Inclusion and diversity: Show how the agency created a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion to help to foster a sense of belonging, respect, and understanding among employees.
• Work-life balance: Show how the agency encouraged and supported employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance to help to create a culture of well-being and satisfaction.
• Strong leadership: Show how the agency’s senior leadership team led by example, were transparent, and communicated effectively to help create a culture that aligned with the company’s goals and values.

This category recognises outstanding work from an agency talent under the age of 30. To qualify, the entrant must have been 29 at any point during the eligibility period. They should demonstrate how they made a significant impact to their clients’ overall marketing campaigns, executions, and results. Entrants can use one particular campaign as a case study of evidence to form their entry or can use aspects from various projects, but all work must have taken place within the eligibility period and they must show evidence of:

• Outstanding achievements in campaigns and project management
• Creativity, innovation and the ability to pivot quickly and effectively
• Strategic, out-of-the-box thinking
• Excellent execution
• Successful results against objectives / KPIs
• Any other exceptional achievements or work that especially merits this award.

Testimonials for this category are encouraged.

This category will recognise the most successful performing agencies across all categories. The top 5 performing agencies will be shortlisted, and the winner will be revealed in the big finale at the AOTY gala dinner celebration.

Points System:

• Gold: 4 points
• Silver: 2 points
• Bronze: 1 point

Tie-Breakers:

• Most Gold: If total points are tied, the agency with the highest number of Gold awards wins.
• Most Silver: If Gold awards are also tied, the agency with the highest number of Silver awards wins.
• Highest Average Score: If a tie still persists, the brand with the highest average score percentage (as assigned by the judges across all their winning entries) will win.

This category will recognise the most successful performing Local Hero agency across all categories. Only independent agencies that were founded in Malaysia are eligible for consideration. Multiple offices in other countries is permitted as long as the agency was founded in Malaysia, with no ownership by parent agencies or holding companies.

Points System:

• Local Hero: 1 point

Tie-Breakers:

• Most Gold: If total points are tied, the agency with the highest number of Gold awards wins.
• Most Silver: If Gold awards are also tied, the agency with the highest number of Silver awards wins.
• Highest Average Score: If a tie still persists, the agency with the highest average score percentage (as assigned by the judges across all their winning entries) will win.