2026 ANZ EXCELLENCE AWARDS
presented by
RETAILERS | LICENSORS | LICENSEES | MANUFACTURERS | MARKETERS
The Licensing ANZ Awards recognise excellence, innovation and commercial success across the licensing industry. If your business, brand, campaign or collaboration has delivered standout results, this is your opportunity to be recognised by the industry.
These prestigious awards celebrate the innovation, creativity, and commercial success of the ANZ licensing community—from licensors and licensees to retailers, agents, and rising talent. As part of the globally respected Licensing International Awards program, the ANZ edition offers local recognition with international credibility.
Entries will be judged by a diverse panel of international industry leaders, bringing insight, integrity, and sector expertise to the evaluation process.
Submissions and judging will be conducted via our easy-to-use online portal, ensuring accessibility and transparency throughout.
Whether you’re an industry veteran or an emerging player—this is your moment to shine.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Why enter the Awards?
Entering the Licensing ANZ Awards is more than a submission. It is a chance to showcase great work, build credibility, celebrate your team and stand out in a competitive market.
Benefit points:
Recognise the success of your brand, team or partnership
Celebrate innovation, creativity and commercial impact
Build visibility across the licensing industry
Strengthen trust with retailers, licensors, licensees and partners
Reward the people behind the work
Gain recognition at the industry’s night of nights
The Timeline
Nominations Close
Day(s)
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FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
27TH AUGUST 2026
AWARDS NIGHT
29TH OCTOBER 2026
The Categories
Ready to submit an entry or unsure what’s required?
Simply click on the button of the appropriate category and follow the directions.
Entries close on the 17th July at midnight!
Remember, entries are FREE.
Best Retailer for Licensed Products
Best Retailer Marketing Campaign for Licensed Products
Licensed Product Campaign of the Year – Apparel, Accessories & Softlines
Hardlines (inc. Publishing and Paper Goods) – Licensed Product or Campaign of the Year
FMCG and Promotions – Licensed Product or Campaign of the Year.
Live Experiences & Events – Licensed Program of the Year.
Children’s Brand of the Year.
Best Teen & Adult Brand of the Year
Corporate, Food & Beverage Brand of the Year
Sports, Fashion, Celebrity & Lifestyle Brand of the Year
Rising Star
Best Licensee of the Year
Know Someone Deserving?
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR
HALL OF FAME HONOREES
TOM PUNCH
Tom Punch’s 36 year licensing journey began with a rented office, two rented computers, an old Honda Civic, and the kind of entrepreneurial energy that builds an industry legacy. From those early days, Tom has helped grow Haven into Australia’s most awarded licensing agency, recognised globally for the strength, creativity and commercial impact of its programs. Under his leadership, Haven has delivered an unmatched run of major brand launches and partnerships, earning international recognition from some of the world’s most celebrated brand owners, including Sanrio, 20th Century Fox, HIT Entertainment, Sesame Street, Felix the Cat, MGA Entertainment and more.
Tom’s career has placed him at the centre of extraordinary licensing moments, from becoming Nickelodeon’s first ever agent globally, to launching Star Wars Episodes I, II and III, building Marvel’s presence in Australia from the early Spider-Man and Iron Man days, driving powerhouse programs for The Simpsons, Thomas the Tank Engine, Lord of the Rings, South Park, Hello Kitty, Peanuts and Sesame Street, and pioneering unexpected partnerships across food, live entertainment, transport, sport and the arts.
His philosophy of “service and results” has shaped Haven’s reputation for global best practice, while his belief that “opportunities are not given, they are taken” has helped create a culture where people are encouraged to think differently, back bold ideas and build remarkable careers.
Tom’s contribution is one of vision, energy and results, a legacy defined not only by the brands he has helped bring to life, but by the people, partnerships and possibilities he has championed along the way.
YVONNE KING
Yvonne King’s career is woven through some of the biggest entertainment and licensing moments of the past three decades. Through Haven, and earlier with Gaffney’s, she has represented many of the world’s most iconic studios and brands, including Lucasfilm for Star Wars, New Line for The Lord of the Rings, Sony Pictures, Marvel Studios, 20th Century Fox, Paramount, LEGO, South Park, Bratz, Sesame Street, Pokémon, Dr Seuss, The Smurfs, Sanrio’s Hello Kitty, Beverly Hills 90210 and Terminator 2.
Her work has often placed her at the beginning of major entertainment shifts, from introducing Nickelodeon brands before pay TV arrived in Australia, to building the enormous Blue’s Clues and Dora the Explorer programs, working with Marvel before its characters became global movie franchises, and helping bring reality television into Australia through Big Brother. Alongside this, Yvonne has built Haven into a brand with a reputation all of its own, irreverent, fun, fiercely experienced and deeply respected.
With long standing relationships, award winning programs, decades long staff loyalty and a no nonsense approach that has earned respect locally and globally, Yvonne’s contribution has helped shape not just successful licensing programs, but the culture and character of the industry itself.
AWARDS NIGHT
29th October 2026
Crown Casino Melbourne
6.30 PM TO 10.30 PM
OUR SPONSORS
