Australia’s Best Creative Agencies Top Global WOO Awards
Australian agency HERO has won at the 2026 World Out of Home Organization (WOO) Awards in London, earning a special mention on stage for its AI-powered Mastercard Transit Tales across the Creative and Technical Innovation awards. The agency was recognised earlier this year for the same campaign at the Outdoor Media Association (OMA) Creative Awards and has now been celebrated internationally for its craft, innovation and impact.
HERO was the Winner of the Technical Innovation Award, for its innovative application of AI throughout Mastercard Transit Tales. A data‑rich storytelling platform that brought commuter journeys to life through personalised, real‑time narratives. The campaign was recognised for pushing the boundaries of digital out of home and demonstrating the medium’s growing sophistication.
OMA CEO Elizabeth McIntyre, attending the congress in London, said the recognition reflects the strength and ambition of Australia’s creative community.
“Being here in London and seeing these campaigns recognised on the world stage reinforces Australia’s position as a leader in creativity and innovation. The winning campaigns could only have been executed in out of home, a medium that rewards bold thinking and invites the public to participate in the idea.
“It’s fantastic to see Australian work not just holding its own, but inspiring conversations among industry leaders from around the world.”
A Historic 12 Months of Local and Global Dominance
The London WOO Award caps off an extraordinary 12-month winning streak for the agency. HERO was recently crowned Australia's Top Creative Agency in the 2026 Global 100 Rankings, solidifying its reputation as the country's premier independent creative force.
While multinational networks traditionally dominate the airwaves, HERO has consistently beaten them at their own game across the world's most prestigious stages:
Global Benchmarks: Ranked 6th overall at the global WINA (World Independent Advertising Awards)—making history as the only Australian agency to ever crack the WINA global top 10. The agency also backed it up with top-tier performances at the New York Festivals.
The Ultimate Pitch Endorsement: Crowned TrinityP3’s top Australian creative agency for Best New Client Performance and consistently named the number-one new business winner by B&T.
The Creative Hotlist: Cemented its elite local status with a prominent spot in the Campaign Brief 2026 Hot List Top 10 and a ranking among the Top 5 Australian Independents.
Leading AI and Tech Innovation
HERO hasn't just adapted to the industry's technological shift; the agency is leading it. It has systematically cleaned up the AI and data categories across Australia's premier media awards.
At the 2026 AdNews Agency of the Year Awards, HERO was recognised for the prestigious Independent Agency of the Year Award and in the ultra-competitive Best Use of AI and Technology category for both Mastercard Transit Tales and Fujifilm Mindography.
That momentum has carried straight into the 2026 Mumbrella Awards, with HERO recognised for:
Best Independent Agency of the Year
Creative Excellence in AI and Emerging Tech
Best Use of Data and Insight in Marketing
This local tech dominance follows the international success of HERO's "Mindography" campaign for Fujifilm Instax, which took home major accolades at the Cannes Lions for Digital Craft and clinched a Silver for AI Storytelling at Spikes Asia.
Work That Wins. Work That Sells.
Since launching in 2020, HERO has been single-mindedly focused on a singular truth: creativity is the hero of effectiveness. It’s a philosophy that has delivered tangible commercial results, earning HERO the title of the #1 Independent Australian Agency at both the APAC and Australian Effie Awards.
The agency’s boundary-pushing portfolio effortlessly bridges the gap between high-stakes public safety and cutting-edge commercial powerhouse campaigns. Over the past year, this has included:
NSW Rural Fire Service: "One Ember Can End It"—a stark, unmissable and vital piece of public safety storytelling designed to prevent bushfires.
Toyota Australia: Launching the rally-bred Toyota GR Yaris "Nice To Know It Could" campaign, supercharged by the raw energy of homegrown rock icons Amyl and the Sniffers.
Crown Resorts: The globally celebrated Australian Open campaign featuring world number one Carlos Alcaraz.
Operating from its award-winningMelbourne headquarters (HERO House) alongside high-octane collaborative hubs in Sydney and Brisbane, HERO continues to live out its founding mission: We Turn Brands Into HEROES.