Last night, at an exclusive Gala Dinner at Sydney’s Ivy Ballroom, the Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) announced the winners of its 2023 SCCA Marketing Awards and there seemed to be great applause from all in the industry who attended.

Hosted by the effervescent Channel 9 journalist and news presenter, Sylvia Jeffreys, the SCCA Awards brought the industry together to celebrate and gain inspiration from the best of the best shopping centre marketing campaigns. The entry with the highest score, regardless of the category entered, is awarded the Sabina Rust Memorial Prize for Campaign of the Year and receives $15,000 from the SCCA as a contribution towards professional development in the marketing area.

After taking home the top honours in 2022 for Grand Central Shopping Centre’s ‘Butterfly House’ campaign, QIC Real Estate were again awarded the coveted ‘Sabina Rust Memorial Prize for Campaign of the Year’ in 2023 for its ‘Werribee Ward’ campaign.

Pacific Werribee created Werribee Ward in partnership with Werribee Mercy Hospital. Local children were invited to become mini-medics learning how to care for life-like newborns in a fun, educational and interactive workshop. The centre hosted adult workshops, providing support and education to families and soon to be parents addressing key community concerns while increasing the awareness of services offered by Werribee Mercy Hospital. It served as a powerful bridge between the local community and Pacific Werribee further cementing the centres position as an integral pillar of the community.

Anthony Mellowes, Chairman, Shopping Centre Council of Australia and CEO, Region Group, presents the major award

Anthony Mellowes, Chairman, Shopping Centre Council of Australia and CEO of Region Group, presented the major award and congratulated all of this year’s nominees, finalists and winners.

“I’d like to extend particular congratulations to QIC Real Estate who the External Judging Panel awarded as the winner of this year’s ‘Sabina Rust Memorial Prize for Campaign of the Year’ for their ‘Werribee Ward’ marketing campaign,” said Mellowes.

Karrinyup Shopping Centre received the runner up prize for its ‘Spring Summer Season Opening’ campaign.

Runner up: ‘Spring Summer Season Opening’ by Karrinyup Shopping Centre. Owned by UniSuper and managed by The GPT Group

According to Mellowes, the Memorial Prize honours the work and friendship of Sabina Rust and was established as part of the SCCA Award program with the agreement of Sabina’s family.

“As a founder and managing editor of Shopping Centre News, Sabina chronicled the growth, innovations, performance and personalities of our industry and I am sure she would be incredibly pleased with the innovation being displayed by the industry’s marketing teams,” he said.

“The success of the Awards is built on the time and dedication of a number of marketing leaders and SCCA Directors in our sector who generously give their time to advise on the Awards through the SCCA Marketing Awards Committee, and also participate in the review and judging process. To these individuals, thank you for your ongoing time and commitment to the Awards.

2023 SCCA Marketing Awards celebrates the best of the best shopping centre marketing campaigns

“Sincere thanks are also offered to this year’s independent judging panel; Louisa Alexander, Marketing Manager, WD-40 Company; Oonagh Flanagan, Chief Marketing Officer, Funlab and; Michael Frost, Customer Strategy Manager Bunnings. Their participation and time, also generously donated, ensures that the ‘best of the best’ are acknowledged and rewarded.

“Lastly, I’d like to thank our 14 sponsors. Without their support, this amazing night would not be possible. This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the vital role that marketing plays in the continued success of the Shopping Centre industry,” he said.

Congratulations to all winners and finalists!
View the 2023 category winners and finalists here