SPECIAL SYDNEY TRIUMPHS AT APAC EFFIES

Special Sydney has swept the 2026 APAC Effie Awards in Singapore, winning the Grand Effie for Uber Eats’ “Get Almost Almost Anything” campaign and securing both Independent Agency of the Year and Agency of the Year. The agency’s creative partnership with Uber Eats was hailed for its long-term brand-building impact.  

Special Sydney emerged as the standout winner at the 2026 APAC Effie Awards, held in Singapore, claiming the Grand Effie for its celebrated “Get Almost Almost Anything” campaign for Uber Eats. The work repositioned the delivery platform as a service extending far beyond restaurant food, cementing its role in everyday convenience. The agency also collected a Gold for the witty extension “Get Almost Almost Anything Maybe even Andy”, further demonstrating the versatility of the brand platform.  

The scale of Special Sydney’s success was underscored by its recognition as both Independent Agency of the Year and Agency of the Year, a rare double honour that reflected the accumulated impact of its work. Celia Garforth, Chief Strategy Officer for Uber APAC at Special, described the achievement as a powerful endorsement of creativity in a challenging marketing climate. “To be recognised at this level for the sustained success of our work with Uber Eats is a massive honour, particularly in a marketing environment where the odds are increasingly stacked against investing in long-term, creatively led brand building,” she said. Garforth extended thanks to the Effies judges and to Uber Eats for continuing to trust in the transformative power of creativity.  

This year’s competition was fierce, with 121 finalists vying for recognition. Of these, 67 campaigns were awarded: one Grand Effie, 15 Golds, 20 Silvers and 31 Bronzes. The awards highlighted not only individual creative brilliance but also broader shifts in the regional marketing landscape. Leo ended a seven-year streak by winning Agency Network of the Year for the first time in APAC Effie history, signalling a changing dynamic among global networks.  

Grab also made its mark, winning the most special awards of the evening, including Brand of the Year and Marketer of the Year. The company placed third in the Agency of the Year rankings, underscoring its growing influence in the region’s marketing ecosystem.  

Danielle Jin, chairperson of the 2026 awards, emphasised the enduring importance of human insight in effective marketing. “Every year the APAC Effie Awards recognises marketing excellence from around the region and the people behind it, driving phenomenal results with their creative ingenuity and strategic thinking,” she said. “The work recognised this year demonstrates that in a world of increasing complexity and distraction, effective marketing still begins with understanding people.”  

The night’s results reinforced the Effies’ reputation as the benchmark for effectiveness in marketing, rewarding campaigns that deliver measurable impact while resonating deeply with audiences. For Special Sydney, the accolades represent not only a celebration of creative achievement but also a validation of its long-term partnership with Uber Eats, which continues to redefine the boundaries of on-demand delivery.