Inaugural ‘NEXT Awards Malaysia 2025’ recognised top marketing innovators and campaigns across Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – MR.DIY, FCB SHOUT/The Shout Group and CULT CREATIVE have emerged as the top winners of the NEXT Awards Malaysia 2025, nabbing the Grand Prix titles which celebrated excellence in marketing, agency leadership, and technology innovation across the Malaysian market.

Held on October 22 at Sheraton Petaling Jaya, the awards recognised the innovators and trailblazers shaping the future of marketing across Malaysia, and helping shape what’s next for marketing innovation across Asia-Pacific.

A key highlight of the event is MR.DIY being recognised for the Brand of the Year award, on top of them also nabbing the Gold Trophy for Most Innovative Marketing Team of the Year. The popular improvement retailer won a total of 17 trophies, including Gold Trophies for Most Innovative Brand Awareness Campaign and Most Innovative Event Marketing Campaign, Silver Trophies for Most Innovative Advertising Campaign and Most Innovative Influencer Marketing Campaign; as well as Bronze Trophies for Most Innovative Event Marketing Campaign and Most Innovative Omni-channel Marketing Campaign.

“It is truly an honour for MR.DIY to be named “Brand of the Year”, thank you NEXT Awards for this incredible recognition! This win is dedicated to our amazing marketing team, and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together,” the company said.

Meanwhile, FCB SHOUT/The Shout Group won the Agency of the Year, and have taken home a total of 21 trophies, representing their work not only with MR.DIY but also with brands such as Etika Sdn Bhd, RHB Group, PepsiCo Malaysia, and Resorts World Genting. They nabbed multiple trophies, including Gold for Most Innovative Digital Marketing Campaign and Most Innovative Retail Marketing Campaign, Silver for Most Innovative Mobile Marketing Campaign and Most Innovative User-Generated Campaign, and Bronze for Most Innovative Brand Awareness Campaign, establishing the agency’s excellence in the local advertising scene.

“What a ride. We’re incredibly honoured to be the first in Malaysia to take home this Grand Prix and it didn’t happen by chance. It’s all thanks to the magicians who make impossible things real, and the clients who dare to dream (and go a little crazy) with us. One hell of a way to end the year. Here’s to more madness, more magic, and everything in between,” the agency spoke following their wins at the awards ceremony.

Over at the martech category, CULT CREATIVE nabbed two Bronze trophies under the Most Innovative Influencer Marketing Campaign and Most Innovative User-Generated Campaign. Its chief executive officer, Shermaine Wong, also nabbed Silver under the Most Innovative Agency Leader of the Year. In their speech, they remarked how these first agency awards mean much for them back at the agency.

“When we started, our mission was simple but bold — to empower creators to shape the future of brands. We didn’t set out to build an agency. We set out to build a movement, one that puts creators first, our core value that redefines how brands connect with real people through creativity and authenticity,” they said.

They added, “Winning awards aren’t just recognition of innovation — it’s a celebration of our creators, our brands, and our team powered by heart and purpose. Thank you for believing in our vision — and here’s to building a future where creators lead the way!”

In the individual categories, Linda Chen, chief creative & marketing officer at BONIA & BRAUN BUFFEL won the Gold Trophy for Most Innovative Marketing Leader of the Year, while Sarasufia Binti Hamdan, consultant for marketing and communication section at SIRIM QAS INTERNATIONAL won Silver on the aforementioned category.

Meanwhile, Weilling Tan Wei Loon, branding consultant at Motion Branding Sdn Bhd won Bronze in the Most Innovative Agency Leader of the Year, and Valens Subramaniam, CEO at Rodeo winning Bronze for Most Innovative MarTech Leader of the Year.

Over at the group categories, aside from FCB SHOUT getting Gold, the agencies Kingdom Digital and MBCS were recognised for the Most Innovative Creative Marketing Agency of the Year, taking Silver and Bronze respectively. At the Most Innovative Marketing Team of the Year, Julie’s Biscuits took Silver while Carro took Bronze.

See the full list of winners HERE.

The judging process was helmed by a distinguished panel of top Malaysian marketing leaders, with Chin Mei Lee, chief marketing officer at McDonald’s Malaysia serving as head juror for marketing campaigns (creative and communications), Ngai Yuen Low, managing director at AEON360 for marketing campaigns (marketing strategy & innovation); and Diana Boo, chief marketing officer at Boost Holdings Sdn Bhd for agencies and people categories.

See the full jury list HERE.

In his closing remarks, Joven Barceñas, founder and CEO at MARKETECH APAC, encouraged the winners to look high up as many of the Malaysian winners will join in competing against other regional winners at the NEXT Awards Asia-Pacific 2025 in the Philippines.

“A much bigger celebration is waiting for us there, and we can’t wait to cheer on our Malaysian winners. So to all of you advancing—good luck, raise your flag high, and make Malaysia proud!” he said.

Brands, agencies, and martech companies interested in joining next year’s NEXT Awards may reach out via [email protected].