Campaign Brief WA honours the industry’s leaders, rising stars and changemakers: See who won the individual people awards

It was a big night for the Perth industry at the Gala Oasis Ball and Campaign Brief WA Awards, held in front of 800 guests at the Crown Towers Ballroom. In total, 11 Creative Awards were presented, alongside 12 Organisation, Agency and People Awards recognising the state’s top agencies, companies and industry leaders.

Campaign Brief WA’s Advertising Person of the Year: Michelle Testa

In a year marked by growth, transformation and purpose-driven leadership, Michelle Testa stands out as a deserving Advertising Person of the Year.

There are those who do their job well, and then there are those who help reshape the industry around them. Over the past year, Carat Perth Client Partner Michelle Testa has firmly established herself as one of the most influential figures in Western Australia’s advertising landscape – driving meaningful change across clients, community and industry.

At Carat Perth, where she leads government and major enterprise clients, Testa has overseen some of the state’s most complex and socially significant campaigns. From domestic violence prevention and road safety to recruitment for critical frontline roles and sustainability initiatives, her work sits at the intersection of communications and real-world impact.

Beyond the agency, Testa’s impact has been equally significant. As Chair of The Oasis Committee, she has reinvigorated one of WA’s most important industry initiatives supporting youth homelessness through The Salvation Army. Her introduction of the Oasis Sleepout – an empathy-led experience that brought together more than 45 industry professionals – raised over $60,000, more than double its original target, while creating a deeper connection to the cause.

Under her leadership, the Oasis Ball and associated initiatives have raised a further $170,000, but more importantly, have reconnected the industry with the human reality behind the fundraising.

This year’s finalists were: Dan Agostino – The Brand Agency, Mark Braddock – Block, Brannon Heath – OMD WA, Alex Paioff – MITP, Astrida Rumbens – Carat Perth and Mel Vella – Advertising Council Australia WA & SA.

For full coverage of winners and the finalists in all categories get the printed edition of the 44 page Campaign Brief Awards magazine. Email Mina on [email protected]

Oasis Ball on stage photo credit: Shot by Thom

OASIS Changemaker of the Year: Leigh Wood

The inaugural Oasis Changemaker Award, introduced at this year’s Campaign Brief WA Awards, honours individuals who contribute meaningfully beyond their day-to-day roles. Those who actively give back to society, the industry, and their organisations. Judged and managed by the Oasis committee, the award reflects the broader purpose of the Oasis Ball: to recognise impact, generosity, and leadership that drives positive change.

This year’s inaugural recipient, Leigh Wood of Nani Creative, is widely regarded as one of those rare leaders who doesn’t just advocate for inclusion – she lives it. In an industry often defined by noise and pace, Wood stands out for her ability to listen: to underrepresented voices, untold stories, and perspectives that deserve greater visibility.

As Co-Founder and Design Director of Nani Creative, an Aboriginal and female-owned agency co-founded with Kevin Wilson, Wood has helped build a business grounded in collaboration, cultural respect, and meaningful storytelling. Together, they have created a space where brands, communities, and creatives come together to produce work that reflects a broader spectrum of lived experience.

Beyond her role at Nani, Wood plays an active and influential part in the wider industry. As Co-President of the Perth Advertising and Design Club (PADC).

Worthy finalists for this award were Kate Downie (Beautiful Pictures), Josh Edge (Anthologie) and Jessica Steliou (Mamamia).

Campaign Brief WA’s Marketing Manager of the Year: Emma Foreman

Kitchen Warehouse’s rise as one of Australia’s most exciting retail brands in 2025 has been driven by a clear belief: creativity is a commercial advantage. A major part of that transformation is Marketing Manager Emma Foreman, whose leadership has delivered standout campaigns and exceptional business growth, earning her Campaign Brief WA’s Marketing Manager of the Year.

Emma Foreman’s impact is grounded in a rare combination of retail understanding and creative ambition. Having started on the shop floor in 2019, she brings deep product knowledge and a firsthand understanding of customer behaviour. This nsight has translated into highly effective, culturally relevant marketing. Working closely with agency partners including Block, Berlin and Special Group, she has helped position Kitchen Warehouse as a brand that consistently punches above its weight.

Operating with disciplined budgets, Foreman has delivered a series of innovative campaigns that combine originality with measurable results. For Mother’s Day, Mumnipulate the Algorithm turned the traditional gifting dynamic on its head, using data and targeting to put control in the hands of mums themselves. The campaign drove 19.3% year-on-year sales growth, alongside significant uplifts in traffic and search.

For Black Friday, she reimagined the category’s reliance on discounting with Bake Friday, using heat-sensitive baking paper to reveal hidden offers. The idea cut through a crowded retail moment, delivering 27% sales growth and the biggest trading week in the brand’s history.

At Christmas, 60 Days of Prepmas combined humour and utility, featuring a deliberately awkward AI character guiding consumers through festive preparation. Supported by an integrated campaign across radio, digital and in-store, it delivered 43% year-on-year sales growth and significant increases in both online and store traffic.

Beyond campaign work, Foreman has also led initiatives that reinforce long-term brand and business value. The Great Pan Exchange, a sustainability-focused program addressing cookware waste, has diverted more than 22 tonnes from landfill while securing a partnership with Recycle Mate, positioning Kitchen Warehouse as a leader in circular retail practices.

Her influence extends across the entire marketing ecosystem, from overseeing the evolution of Kitchen Warehouse’s in-house brands to leading content, retail experiences, new store openings and the development of Cook magazine. This holistic approach has underpinned a year of exceptional results: store sales up 21%, online sales up 26%, in-house brand sales up more than 50%, and profit rising over 60%.

This year’s runner ups for the Campaign Brief WA Marketing Manager of the Year award were Jane Jones (WA Museum Boola Bardip) and Oscar Devereaux (The Push For Better Foundation). Finalists were Dane Begovich (McDonald’s), Rob Di Giovanni (Bonfire) and Rachelle Green (Parcel Property).

Supernova of the Year: Cathal Mongey

This award recognises young talent that are judged to be future leaders in the industry. First introduced in 2007, the Supernova of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Nova 93.7. This year there were 18 submissions to be judged and we thank Nova’s Nina Santella for leading the judging this year.

Previous winners include Luke O’Sullivan, Meredith Simpson, Matt Nankirvell, Holly Brindle, Natalie Stoelwinder, Eloise Cribb, Tyson Spensieri and Rebecca Di Pardo.

This year’s Supernova of the Year award is awarded to Jucebox’s Cathal Mongey.

In an industry where many are still finding their footing in the early years, Cathal Mongey has taken a different approach by saying yes to every opportunity and using it as a platform to learn, contribute and lead. Just two years into his career, the Juicebox account manager has already made a significant impact across clients, agency culture and the broader WA industry, making him a standout Supernova of the Year.

At Juicebox, Mongey manages a diverse portfolio spanning major enterprise clients including Kent Removals & Storage and EASI Novated Leasing, alongside a range of growth-stage SMEs across automotive, construction, IT and food and beverage. Acting as the primary point of contact from initial discovery and strategy through to execution, his work has delivered measurable commercial results.

His commitment to the industry extends well beyond the agency walls. Over the past 18 months, Mongey has been an active member of the Youngbloods WA committee. A standout contribution was his role in leading Perth Advertising’s participation in the Perth Pride Parade, bringing together organisations including The Design Kids, The Marketer, IN:WA, PADC, ACA and WAMA under one banner – a visible demonstration of inclusivity and collaboration across the sector.

Mongey has also contributed to major industry events, helping organise Emergence Festival in Margaret River and hosting breakout sessions at State of Social 2025 at Optus Stadium.

Finalists for this award are: Jamie Andrawes – OMD WA, Corey Battersby – The Brand Agency, Alex Crouch – The Brand Agency, Joseph Damiano – The Brand Agency, Evy Donaldson – Rare, Isabella Maynard – Nine, Blanche McKie – The Brand Agency, Ashlee Rattray – Carat, Alex Rose – The Brand Agency and Jen Wong – Rare.

For full coverage of winners and the finalists in all categories get the printed edition of the 44 page Campaign Brief Awards magazine. Email Mina on [email protected]