Outsourcing critical functions to agency partners is commonplace in running a business. A common challenge is finding the best agency that will deliver increased brand awareness and generate growth. Awards in the beauty and wellness sphere often focus on the brands and founders, but behind the scenes are communications, design, and strategy experts, who are very often a crucial part of their success.

The supporting role of agencies is sometimes overlooked. BeautyMatter's NEXT Awards are designed to recognize people and businesses across the entire value chain that raise the bar and define the future of beauty. These awards surface the best agencies in beauty.

The criteria applied by our judges while evaluating submissions included: 

• Capabilities, leadership, achievements, and impact
• Contribution to employees, community, society, and the industry at large
• Achievements and the ability to positively impact the industry
• Consideration of the quality, innovation, and execution of the agency's work
• Consideration of the agency in the context of competitors

The Judges:

• JuE Wong, Board Director
• Alexis Rodriguez Alvich, Harper Grey Consulting, founder and COO
• Iryna Kremin, INNOCOS, founder and CEO
• Anna Vale, Global Integrated Marketing and Communications Consultant and Advisor
• Deanna Kangas, President, Strategic Growth Consulting; Advisor and Investor 
• Jamé Jackson Gadsden, founder and Lifestyle Media Personality

Best Design and Branding Agency: Recognizes agencies responsible for crafting best-in-class brand strategies and the execution of design services.

2023 - Front Row Beauty
2022 - Bartlett Brands
2024 - Who Should Apply: Design and branding agencies of any size globally.

Best Digital Agency: Recognizes agencies that provide best-in-class strategic direction, creative design, and technical development for screen-based products and services. 

2023 - Iced Media
2022 - Sela, a PCA Group Company
2024 - Who Should Apply: Digital agencies of any size globally.

Best Public Relations Agency: Recognizes agencies for developing and executing best-in-class communication strategies across media and content platforms. 

2023 - Creative Media Marketing (CMM)
2022 - Factory PR
2024 - Who Should Apply: Public relations or communication agencies of any size globally.

Best Social Media and Influencer Agency: Recognizes agencies responsible for developing social media strategies, campaign execution, content creation, and connecting influencers with brands.

2023 - Red Ant Asia
2022 - OGAKI
2024 - Who Should Apply: Social media and influencer agencies of any size globally.

The Process: Entries for the BeautyMatter NEXT Awards can be submitted until the entry deadline May 24, 2024. Finalists will be announced July 7, 2024, and winners will be announced on October 24, 2024, at the BeautyMatter NEXT Summit: The Future of Beauty in Los Angeles, CA. Find out more here.