The judges of this year’s MPA Inspiration Awards say Manchester’s creative and media firms are embracing the power of collaboration and promoting young talent.
The shortlist has been revealed for the MPA Inspiration Awards 2025 to celebrate the successes of Manchester’s media, digital and creative agencies.
The awards are in their 13th year and are run by the MPA, the not-for-profit association originally known as the Manchester Publicity Association. The winners will be announced at the Midland Hotel in Manchester on October 16.
The judging panel was chaired by Vicky Monk, marketing director at . She said: “We’ve had another fantastic year of entries, setting an exceptionally high standard, with inspiring and innovative submissions across the board.
“It’s been a privilege to be invited to participate in the judging process and to see the outstanding work being produced across both agencies and new emerging talent coming through.
“There was rigorous discussion amongst the judges, and while the decisions were challenging, we are confident with the final shortlist.”
Cindy Simmons, managing director of the MPA, added: “I was very proud to see that the community we represent has once again embraced our awards and has pushed the boundaries in terms of quality and content.
“In particular our ‘People’ categories, recognising young future talent, were extremely well supported again this year; This reflects how embracing and helping to nurture future talent is an intrinsic part of the MPA and fits with our mantra of helping anyone working in or with Manchester’s media, digital and creative businesses to thrive.
“The ‘Collaboration’ category was also well represented which stands as testimony to the open and collaborative nature of the MPA and its members.”
The shortlist for the MPA Inspiration Awards 2025
Campaign Categories
Best Digital Campaign
Mobsta, Notorious Communications & Crown – Omni-Channel for Home Improvers
Mobsta, Notorious Communications & Chester Zoo – Collaboration Creates A Roaring Success
IF.– From 0 to £1/2 Million in just a Tik
Republic of Media – Bee Network: Tap to the Future
Reach Solutions, Universal McCann & VW – Reach & VW Dynamic Creative Solution
iProspect – Elizabeth Arden Lead-Gen Magic
Carat Ƶ, Mail Metro Media & AO – Tech That Makes Life a Byte Better
PHD Manchester – PHD MCR + Takis: Face the Intensity
iProspect – DFDS’ Journey with AI-Powered Demand-Gen
Best Creative Campaign
News Ƶ Manchester – The Times Whisky Guide: A Perfect Blend
EssenceMediacom North – From Tired Dad Jokes to Real Talk
Channel 4 Sales for Monzo – Skip the Awkward
Jam – The Pawfect Rebrand
Best Media Campaign
News Ƶ Manchester – WBD: Weapons of Business Difference
Channel 4 Sales, Carat Manchester & Storylab for Co-Op Funeralcare – Celebrity Send Off
Republic of Media – Protecting Pensions with FSCS
Wavemaker North – From Northern Hero to National Icon
Carat Ƶ & Nerds – Unleashing the Ƶ’s Senses
dentsu X & Cetaphil – Gen Z Gold: Cetaphil Rocks MTV EMA Stage
Wavemaker North – Transfer your skills
Edison Media Ltd – “Here to Win” with Paddy The Baddy
Wavemaker North & Mail Metro Media – Jet2holidays – The Fashion of Travel
Best Sales Team Campaign
Mobsta, Notorious Communications & Crown – Omni-Channel for Home Improvers
Channel 4 Sales, Mail Metro Media & EssenceMediacom for Skipton Building Society – Helping the Nation Make Their Move
Best Integrated Campaign
EssenceMediacom North – From Rugby Boots to Bike Tyres
News Ƶ Manchester – Jet2: VIP Holidays Take Off
Channel 4 Sales, Carat Manchester & Storylab for Scottish Power – Scottish Power’s Amazing Green Spaces
Reach Studio, Notorious Communicatons & Crown Trade – Euro Thrash
Reach Studio, Running Total Media & Manchester City FC – Manchester City – Make Your Debut
Carat Ƶ, Global and Holland & Barrett – Strong For Life: One Moment, Big Impact
Wavemaker North – Chocomel Hot – A launch with a bang
PHD Manchester – JWPS Goes Full Festive in Edinburgh
STING FILMS® – Marriott Bonvoy ‘Where can we take you?’
Best PR/Social Campaign
EssenceMediacom North – From Backlinks to Brand Buzz
Wavemaker North – #KeepingValentinesClean
Smoking Gun – Nemesis Reborn: Back with a vengeance
Channel 4 Sales & Wavemaker North for Remington – My Hair Journey
IF. – Freshpet – Fuel the Feeling
Jam – Raisin’ the bar on savings
Jam – Showing our Pride for Manchester
Jam – UGC Unleashed
iProspect – Scroll-Stopping Viva La Juicy
PR Agency One & Hongqi – Repositioning Hongqi in Europe
PR Agency One & Henbe – Northstowe Neighbours
PHD Manchester – Takis: Face the Intensity
Specialist Categories
Best Animation
MightyGiant – Dreams Beds
Refinery – The shape of things to come
STING FILMS® – Marriott Bonvoy “Where Can We Take You?”
Best Podcast
FareShare Greater Manchester – Food Stories Podcast
Bloom North – The Blooming North Podcast
Unique Categories
Big Bang Award
TBWAMCR – Homelessness is Spiking
Carat Ƶ, Global and Holland & Barrett – Strong For Life: One Moment, Big Impact
Reach Solutions, Notorious Communications & SpaMedica – SpaMedica owning Manchester with Reach
Carat Ƶ & Global Manchester for Greggs – Turning the South … North
Collaboration Award
MightyGiant, Gas Music & re:production – Dreams Beds
Mobsta, Notorious Communications & Chester Zoo – Collaboration Creates A Roaring Success
Wavemaker North & Channel 4 – From Styling to Storytelling
Channel 4 Sales, Mail Metro Media & EssenceMediacom for Skipton Building Society – ‘Helping the Nation Make Their Move’
Carat Ƶ & Global Manchester for Greggs – Turning the South … North
Roland Dransfield & Lipstick Agency – Royal Nawaab at Stockport Pyramid
Carat Ƶ, Channel 4 & Co-op Funeralcare – Life, Death and Rock ‘N’ Roll
Martyn Hett Inspiring Manchester Award
Peachy & Screenskills – TV Drama DE&I Talent Pipeline Programme
Roland Dransfield – Roland Dransfield
Roland Dransfield – We Built This City Podcast
Innovation Award
To be announced on the night
People Categories
Apprentice Award
Ameilia Lloyd – News Ƶ
Luis Rogers – Republic of Media
Rising Star Award
Izzy Turner – Channel 4 Sales
Lily Robinson – Edison Media Ltd
Issy Kemp – Edison Media Ltd
George Dickens – Republic of Media
Mentor Award
Yoni Ross – Bauer Media Outdoor
Lisa Thompson – Wavemaker North
University Student Award
Hannah Frances Boswell – Manchester Metropolitan University
Xena Stevens – Manchester Metropolitan University
Tyler Hughes – University of Salford
Shoshi Hossain – UCEN Manchester (LTE Group)
Freelance Hero Award
Jo Jeffers – Strategy Director
Matthew Singh – Editor
Simon Stannard – VFX, Motion Graphics, Offline & Online Editor
Agency of the Year
IF. – Growth Without Compromise
Apadmi – Apadmi
Edison Media Ltd – Edison Media’s Year: Metrics that Matter
Media Sales Team of the Year
News Ƶ Manchester – Media Sales Wizards: The Dream Team
Captify – Captify Manchester’s Comeback Year
Mobsta – Sustainable Growth of People & Results
Channel 4 Sales – Altogether Different
Reach Solutions – Doing Things Differently
JCDecaux Ƶ – More than Media
Bauer Media Outdoor – Trusted Specialists
Grand Prix Categories
Best Place to Work
Edison Media Ltd – Real Support. Real People. Real Work.
Bauer Media Outdoor – Bring You. Shape Us.
Best of the Best
To be announced on the night
Business of the Year
To be announced on the night
MPA Award
To be announced on the night
