MCCANN NEW ZEALAND NAMED MOST EFFECTIVE AGENCY OF THE YEAR

McCann New Zealand has been crowned Most Effective Agency of the Year, with AA Insurance NZ winning the Grand Effie and Goodman Fielder New Zealand named Most Effective Advertiser. The agency also secured 13 Effie trophies across leading brands, underscoring the collaborative strength of strategy, creativity and commercial impact.  

McCann New Zealand has achieved a defining industry milestone, being named Most Effective Agency of the Year at the Effie Awards, a recognition that underscores its ability to deliver creative work that drives measurable business results. The accolade was part of a night of triumph for the agency and its partners, with AA Insurance NZ taking the coveted Grand Effie and Goodman Fielder New Zealand crowned Most Effective Advertiser.  

The Effie Awards, long regarded as the benchmark for marketing effectiveness, celebrate campaigns that combine creativity with commercial impact. McCann New Zealand’s success was amplified by its impressive haul of 13 trophies, comprising five Golds, five Silvers and three Bronzes. These wins spanned a diverse portfolio of clients, including Mercury NZ, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Foodstuffs North Island Limited, Foodstuffs South Island, Samsung New Zealand and One New Zealand. Each campaign demonstrated the agency’s ability to unlock cultural and human insights, translating them into work that resonated with audiences while delivering tangible outcomes for brands.  

The Grand Effie awarded to AA Insurance NZ highlighted the strength of McCann’s partnership model, where collaboration between client and agency produced work that not only captured consumer attention but also delivered sustained business growth. Goodman Fielder New Zealand’s recognition as Most Effective Advertiser further reinforced the agency’s role in shaping brand narratives that achieve both creative distinction and commercial success.  

What made the evening particularly memorable was the collective spirit in the room. Representatives from strategy, creative, production, media, data and client service came together to celebrate the achievements, reflecting the integrated approach that has become central to McCann’s philosophy. This sense of unity underscored the idea that effectiveness in marketing is not the product of isolated brilliance but of cross-disciplinary collaboration.  

The campaigns for Mercury NZ and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi showcased how creativity can be harnessed to address pressing societal and behavioural challenges, while Foodstuffs’ work demonstrated the agency’s ability to connect with consumers across regions through culturally attuned storytelling. Samsung New Zealand and One New Zealand added further breadth to the agency’s portfolio, proving its versatility across technology and telecommunications.  

For McCann New Zealand, being named Most Effective Agency of the Year is both a celebration of past achievements and a challenge for the future. In an industry where effectiveness is increasingly scrutinised, the agency’s success signals its readiness to continue leading with creativity anchored in impact. The recognition also highlights the enduring relevance of the Effie Awards in championing work that proves the value of marketing as a driver of business growth.  

As the agency looks ahead, the wins serve as a reminder that effectiveness is not just about awards but about the sustained ability to move people, markets and brands. McCann New Zealand’s achievement reinforces its commitment to delivering “Truth Well Told” in ways that matter commercially and culturally.