PR Awards 2026 finalists revealed

The PR Awards 2026 shortlist is here, spotlighting the boldest, smartest, and most impactful communications campaigns across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania.

Now in its 13th year, the programme celebrates the teams, agencies, and organisations that are pushing the boundaries of strategic PR, proving how creativity, data, and purpose can deliver real-world results. From reputation-building initiatives and purpose-driven storytelling to cross-channel engagement and measurable impact, this year’s finalists showcase the growing sophistication and influence of the PR industry.

The awards recognise campaigns, teams, and organisations that are redefining what strategic communications can achieve. At the pinnacle of the competition, the coveted PR Awards Overall Champion title will be awarded to the agency and brand that secure the highest number of gold, silver, and bronze trophies across all categories, cementing their position as leaders in the region’s communications landscape.

All submissions were evaluated by an esteemed panel of senior communications leaders from across the region, ensuring a rigorous judging process that celebrated not only creative ideas but also strategic clarity, measurable impact, and meaningful stakeholder engagement.

Reflecting on the judging process, Azmi Yaakop, chief strategic communications officer at FGV Holdings, shared that the entries showcased the very best of strategic communications. “What stood out most was the tangible impact these efforts delivered to stakeholders and target audiences, a true testament to purposeful storytelling backed by data, creativity, and disciplined execution," said Azmi.

He added that such outcomes are the result of rigorous planning, collaboration, and persistence, encouraging participants to continue refining their craft and pushing the industry forward.

Similarly, Helen Lim, group director of corporate communications at Land Transport Authority, praised the diversity and ingenuity reflected in this year’s submissions, highlighting the teams' abilities to push creative boundaries while remaining grounded in strategy and execution.

Entries this year spanned a wide range of organisational contexts, from government agencies to private sector brands, highlighting how PR teams are navigating varied challenges while delivering thoughtful, measurable outcomes. For Putri Victor, head of corporate communications at Great Giant Foods, the shortlisted campaigns underscored how the role of PR continues to evolve beyond publicity into a strategic driver of business value.

“This year’s nominees reflect the growing maturity of PR as a strategic business driver, a discipline that shapes reputation, influences stakeholders, and delivers measurable business value,” she said.

Echoing this sentiment, Sanjay Nair, head of public affairs and communications, Asia at FrieslandCampina, noted that the strongest work demonstrated sharp strategic thinking and clear results. “The strongest work paired smart channel choices with impact that was measurable and easy to validate," added Nair.

Beyond strategy and metrics, judges also recognised the deeper societal influence that thoughtful communications can achieve. Mary Eunice N. Lodripas, assistant vice president and head of corporate communications at St. Luke’s Medical Center, highlighted how many campaigns went beyond raising awareness to shape perspectives and build trust.

“The finalists have harnessed communication not merely to amplify an issue, but to highlight it with clarity, purpose, and responsibility,” she said. “When communication is informed and intentional, it becomes a strong force that shapes perspectives and strengthens trust over time.”

Other judges pointed to the increasing role of purpose-driven storytelling in modern PR. For example, Manish Mohan, chief partnership and communication officer at Sports Authority of India, said the entries stood out for their bold thinking and strong alignment between strategy and results while Angela Tan, group head of communications at Vena Group, highlighted how the most memorable campaigns humanised their narratives.

She also commended the ability of many teams to deliver outsized results despite limited resources, demonstrating clarity of priorities and precision in execution.

Moreover, Sueanne Mocktar, director of communications and branding and regional lead, Asia at SJ Group, praised the clarity and focus displayed by many participants. “In today’s crowded communications landscape, I’m inspired by entries that showed such clarity of purpose and rose above the clutter,” said Mocktar, adding that many in-house teams effectively leveraged technology and cross-team expertise to deliver exceptional outcomes.

Eager to see which brands and agencies made the cut? View the full list of PR Awards 2026 finalists here.

For more information about our Awards packages:

Sandra Rones
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Bianca Mariz
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biancam@marketing-interactive.com

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