Sponsored by the UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

Best Wine Communicator: Marketing 

In recognition of an individual, working for a wine company, consultancy or agency, that has consistently demonstrated exceptional creativity, strategic insight, and impact in promoting and elevating the visibility of wine brands on more than one occasion.

Successful wine marketing goes beyond traditional advertising; it involves storytelling, brand building, and connecting with consumers on an emotional level. The winner in this category will have demonstrated their marketing expertise over multiple successful campaigns.

Entry criteria:

  1. Open to an individual living and working in Australia who works in a wine company or with customers in the wine industry.
  2. The applicant must have developed and implemented more than one marketing or public relations campaigns for Australian wine brand(s) or wine brand(s) distributed in Australia. This award is about a demonstrated high competence in wine marketing over time, not just a single successful campaign. This may be multiple campaigns for one brand, or different campaigns for different brands. It is suggested that submitting two or three strong campaigns is sufficient.
  3. The campaigns included in the submission may have been implemented in conjunction with agencies or third-party suppliers, but the applicant must have been the project lead who largely influenced the success of the campaigns.
  4. The campaigns included in the submission can relate to advertising, social media, public relations, sales toolkits or integrated marketing campaigns, as long as they relate to wine related products, experiences or events.
  5. The campaigns included in the submission must have been implemented in the English language, and been executed within the preceding three years from 1 July 2022 to 31 July 2025.

Entry Fee:

An entry fee of $55 inc GST applies to every award nomination submission for this category.

 

Judging Criteria:

The judges will consider the following with reference to each nomination:

  1. Clarity provided on the details of the various campaigns submitted, including the target market, the strategic issue that is being addressed by the campaign, a description of the resulting campaign solution, and the intended successes.
  2. Creativity – the extent to which the marketer demonstrated creative thought in the campaigns. For example, by using visual creativity, new strategies, new communication mediums, new ways of working with influencers, or new interactive elements.
  3. Engagement – degree to which the marketer created content that engaged the audience, attracting and holding attention and encouraging a response from the observer that was relevant to the brand. For example, it may include immersive experiences or have inspired interaction with the brand in a physical or virtual manner.
  4. Brand Building – Effectiveness of the various campaigns build a compelling and lasting connection between the brand and the potential audience. The degree to which the brand positioning was clear. Whether the campaigns made the brand stand out in a competitive marketing place.
  5. Effective execution of the campaigns in the marketplace – on budget, on time, and in a manner that achieved the campaigns objectives.
  6. Impact and Results – Campaign performance metrics will be considered against desired outcomes. These may include numerous metrics such as sales growth, brand awareness, brand preference, engagement, consumer sentiment, return on ad spend, conversions, budget variance, etc.  The winner should have demonstrated tangible results, including increased brand recognition, higher sales, or more substantial consumer interaction. While creativity is important, delivering measurable success is a critical factor in selecting the best marketer.
  7. Commitment to ethical practices – favourable consideration will be given to the marketer who demonstrates a commitment to ethical, environmental and socially responsible practices. For example: meeting and exceeding the requirements ABAC marketing code of conduct for alcoholic beverages; consideration of sustainability issues and minimising waste; delivering social benefits to the local community. 
  8. A commitment to developing ongoing excellence in wine communication will be considered favourably. This includes membership to Wine Communicators of Australia.

Prize:

The winner will receive: one year’s membership to WCA valued at $190 (or 1 free renewal for an existing member), a category trophy, and exclusive WCA 2025 award-winner print and web graphics to use in personal marketing and communications.

 

ENTER NOW – Instructions

  1. Download the 2025 Awards Entry Form (Word format) HERE. Save it somewhere safe so you can complete later. Once complete, save as a PDF before returning to WCA.
  2. Click HERE to pay your entry fee. If you are entering multiple categories you can pay multiple fees at once.  
  3. Email your Entry Form and all supporting materials, by the deadline of 15 August, including an image of the nominee and/or organisation to represent your entry, to admin@winecommunicators.com.au

By emailing us your images you acknowledge and accept that WCA has full permission to use this content for promotional purposes.

Please complete ALL STEPS in the Awards entry process, failure to do so may result in your entry not being considered.

KEY DATES:

Entries Close: 15 August 2025

Finalists Announced: mid September 2025

Awards Ceremony: 6 November 2025

Good luck!