Unforgettable Nights: The Top 10 Marketing Industry Parties of 2024 You Can't Miss!

If there is one thing adland is famous for, it is throwing award-winning shindigs, and 2024 did not disappoint. From country festival-styled epics to dysfunctional reunions, surprise birthday bashes, and ghoulish Halloween vibes, the industry turned on plenty of pizzazz and fun throughout the year. In producing this list, B&T has not included awards and upfront events – we have focused on pure parties that caught our eye. We’ve also only included the events that we attended, so if your shindig didn’t make the list, make sure to invite this esteemed masthead next year. Enjoy!

10. Bread Anniversary

Bread agency, founded by some of adland’s finest folks in former Havas execs Mary Proulx and Amaury Treguer, turned two this year. The agency took over the Wooly Bay Hotel for a shindig for the ages. Alongside some of the great and good of advertising and PR, B&T snuck in and snuck out with a couple of baguettes under our arm—naturellement!

9. Naked’s Dysfunctional 20 Year Reunion

Twenty years ago, Adam Ferrier, Mat Baxter and Mike Wilson launched Naked in Australia, an agency that spawned iconic work and some of the industry’s top talent. At the Beresford, Naked alumni and friends rocked the Beresford in Sydney to reminisce about the good old days and share some of Naked’s chaotic and fun history.

8. Lion Christmas Party

Hosted by the B&T Award-Winning Marketing Team of the Year, the Lion end-of-year bash was a masterclass in festive flair and rooftop revelry. The evening was infused with the sporty energy that defines Lion’s powerhouse work. It wasn’t just a party; it was a vibrant toast to a year of achievements!

7. ATN Party

ATN’s reputation for throwing on a fine shindig ratchet up a notch as the business unveiled a rebrand. Set at the iconic Catalina restaurant, clients, agency partners and friends were treated to a live helicopter cross; fire breathers; a bloke DJing, singing and playing a harp at the same time; banging tunes by the Rogue Traders; some of the best canapés and wine going; and plenty of Vic Lorusso and Claudine Hall’s charm.

6. NGEN Halloween Party

When it comes to this year’s standout parties, the NGEN Halloween events were truly a scream! Inspired by the theme ‘Til Death Do Us Party’, over 500 NGENers transformed into ghoulish, blood-splattered revellers to celebrate a year of growth and connection across Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

5. Unltd Big Dream

Unltd’s Big Dream Gala Dinner saw the crème de la crème of Adland gather at Sydney Town Hall for an unforgettable evening of inspiration, celebration, and impact for good. More than 650 people across the media, marketing and creative industry came together to raise north of $87,000.

4. News Corp’s Closing Party at Cannes in Cairns

News Corp took over Salt House in Cairns to close out the epic third Cannes in Cairns. There were bright outfits, pumping tunes and delightful cocktails. Hawaiian garb was the flavour of the night, as adland’s brightest revelled in a tropical theme and brightly coloured cocktails.

3. The Marketing Academy 10th Anniversary

A gathering of the tribes for Asia-Pacific’s most important marketers to celebrate their achievements and the brilliant community that Sherilyn Shackell and The Marketing Academy team have created.

2. Sparrow’s 70th Surprise Party

Industry legend Greg ‘Sparrow’ Graham celebrated his 70th in style with a surprise party hosted at Clear Hayes House. It was a veritable who’s who of adland, with some of the industry’s most noted luminaries in attendance.

1. Cannes in Cairns Pinterest Welcome Party

Pinterest’s Welcome Party at the Timber Mill just outside Cairns might just have been the best party in the history of industry parties. Set to a festival theme, the who’s who of the industry turned up sporting head-spinning outfits that were put to the test with a number of daring festival rides and activities, including dodgems, a Ferris wheel and a Miami ride.