The Australian Direct Marketing Association (ADMA) announced the winners of its annual Awards for Excellence at a gala event last night in Sydney.

The awards recognise excellence in the industry, with all candidates nominated by others in the industry and the judging panel comprising previous winners.

Winner of Australian Direct Marketer of the Year was Sandra De Castro who, as CMO of NAB, led the NAB ‘Break Up’ campaign that began earlier this year.

Young Australian Direct Marketer of the Year, which recognises an outstanding marketer under 30 years of age, was awarded to Rebecca Bezzina, group account director at Mark, who leads a team of seven people across clients including Qantas, Google, Nestle and the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.

2011 Pinnacle Awards for the best-of-the-best entries received each year

ADMA Awards Grand Prix
Clemenger DDBO – ‘Break Up’ for the National Australia Bank.

David Ogilvy Creative Award
Naked Communications – ‘How Speed Kills Killed Speed’ for The Transport Accident Commission.

Lester Wunderman Effectiveness Award
BMF Advertising – ‘New York on $50’ for Expedia.

The Australia Post Winged Messenger Award
BMF Advertising – ‘Amazing Wow Sit Down Thing’ for BMF Advertising

2011 Gold Award winners

Digital, apps and new development:

Whybin/TBWA/Tequila – ‘Dog-A-Like’ for Pedigree.

Creative (art direction):

M&C Saatchi – ‘Make Cyberspace a Better Place’ for Optus.

Creative (campaigns):

Clemenger BBDO – ‘Break-Up’ for National Australia Bank.

Creative, PR and experiential:

DDB Group/Rapp Melbourne – ‘Open Book Project’ for the Reach Foundation.

Creative, PR and experiential:

Naked Communications – ‘How ‘SpeedKills’ Killed Speed’ for the Transport Accident Commission.

Digital (website):

Soap Creative – ‘World’s biggest PAC-MAN’ for Namco Bandai and Microsoft.