Grand Prix: B&T Agency of the Year

Howatson+Company

With five B&T Awards this year, it should be no surprise that Howatson+Company has scooped the biggest gong going. However, considering the agency is a tender 18 months old, the speed and success of the agency's growth is remarkable. Thanks to sharp, original work for clients including Matilda Bay which saw the brewer increase sales of genuinely unwanted beer by 2050 per cent in-stores, to an uplifting campaign for Belong focusing on inclusion, Howatson+Company has blown us away with its efforts this year.

The indie agency has combined this work with pioneering staff welfare initiatives and remarkable maternity and parental leave policies that leave staff better off and make the transition back to work easy. Howatson+Company spent $180,000 ensuring its operations are carbon neutral and is looking to reduce Scope 2 and 3 emissions. With 32 clients (and no client losses so far) and a staff of 90, it is remarkable that the agency has been able to grow at 15 per cent month-on-month and generate $21 million in revenue despite still being in its infancy. That 92 per cent of staff would recommend working at Howatson+Company to their friends should not be surprising. Whatever happens next year, Howatson+Company will be some act to follow.