•    APPLY NOW FOR 2026 AXIS AWARDS

  •    APPLY NOW FOR 2026 AXIS AWARDS

  •    APPLY NOW FOR 2026 AXIS AWARDS

  •    APPLY NOW FOR 2026 AXIS AWARDS

  •    APPLY NOW FOR 2026 AXIS AWARDS

  •    APPLY NOW FOR 2026 AXIS AWARDS

FFR Shadow Judging

Curious about how winning campaigns are selected? The First Five Rungs (FFR) Shadow Judging Programme, in collaboration with the Comms Council’s four major awards - AXIS, Effie Aotearoa, beacon, and Pressie - gives you a chance to see the action up close. It’s the perfect way to learn from industry leaders, sharpen your judging skills, and get inspired for your own future entries.

Who Is This For?

This programme is for people working in advertising, media, or communications in Aotearoa who have never judged a Comms Council awards show before.

 

Most participants are 3 to 7 years into their careers, and come from a range of roles — including creative, strategy, media, account service, and production.

 

Shadow Judging is designed for those looking to understand how judging works and how award-winning work is assessed, without needing to cast a final vote.

What To Expect

As a shadow judge, you’ll be right there in the action, observing live judging panels and scoring entries yourself. While your scores won’t decide the winners, your perspective matters, and you’ll get to share your thoughts in group discussions.


Here’s how it rolls:
  • Meet the other Shadow Judges in a Welcome Session and learn about judging.
  • Score entries using an easy online platform.
  • Watch and be part of real judging panels in action.
  • Join post-panel debriefs to chat about your experience and learn from others.

The Programmes

Learn about the awards that offer Shadow Judging and let us know which one you're interested in joining.

The AXIS Awards celebrate creativity and innovation in New Zealand’s advertising industry, recognising work that makes an impact and sets a standard of quality.

AXIS highlights achievements across a wide range of disciplines, from strategic thinking to production craft, honouring the ideas and execution that bring campaigns to life.

Judging runs late February through early March.

 

Celebrating outstanding media thinking and execution in Aotearoa, the beacon awards in association with oOh!media are the pinnacle of media excellence. From precise planning to breakthrough technologies, these awards honour the best in media thinking and execution.

Judging runs May through early June.

 

Introduced by the New York American Marketing Association in 1968, the Effie Awards have since become recognised by advertisers and agencies as the pre-eminent award in the advertising industry. 

The annual awards are presented to recognise the year’s most effective advertising and marketing communications campaigns – campaigns that have delivered superior results in meeting the objectives they were designed to achieve.

Judging runs August through September.

The Pressie Awards celebrate the best PR, Experiential, and Social campaigns in Aotearoa.  

Designed to recognise outstanding work from agencies, brands, and practitioners, the awards honour campaigns that influence change, spark conversation, and deliver measurable impact.

 

Judging runs September through early October.

Tips & Tricks

Want to crush it as a shadow judge? Here are a few pro hacks to help you get the most out of it.
1. Know the criteriaTeal chevron pointing down

Not every category is judged against the same criteria. Make sure you’re scoring based on what the entry has been asked to achieve.

2. Manage your time wiselyTeal chevron pointing down
You’ll be reviewing multiple entries, so pace yourself. Don’t rush, but don’t overthink every detail either - find a good balance to ensure you can give each entry the attention it deserves.
3. Jot down notesTeal chevron pointing down
It’s easier to explain your score when you’ve got some quick notes to back it up.
4. Stay open-mindedTeal chevron pointing down
Great work can come in many forms. Be ready to spot fresh approaches or unexpected creative solutions, even if they’re different from what you’re used to.
5. Stay neutralTeal chevron pointing down
Focus on the work itself - don’t let any preconceptions sway you.
6. Be curiousTeal chevron pointing down
Ask questions, learn from others, and have fun!